"It's An Honor Just To Have Been Nominated"

That's what you're supposed to say, right?

And indeed, it was quite an honor for Franklin Avenue's very own Grammy nominee, Maria.

I, for one, am beyond proud of Maria. And if Evan/Blogger Toddler were old enough to understand, I'm sure he'd be full of pride for his mommy as well. (That's Maria and me, above, at the Los Angeles Convention Center, where the Pre-Telecast awards -- nearly 100 different categories! -- were passed out.)

It's been a career highlight for Maria to be recognized for her hard work in designing the Rhino box set "One Kiss Can Lead to Another: Girl Group Sounds Lost and Found." Leading up to the Grammys, Maria and her work were recognized by several magazines, which raved about the set's hat box-style design. Then came the nomination, and this weekend's Grammy events.



I really thought Maria was going to wind up on stage this afternoon accepting the Grammy. But I also worried about the real wild card among this year's nominees in the Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package category: The Red Hot Chili Peppers. (Above, the nominees in Maria's category flash up on the screen during the Grammy Pre-Telecast).

The Red Hot Chili Peppers members Flea, John Frusciante, Anthony Kiedis and Chad Smith were all listed as art directors on their "Stadium Arcadium," and therefore up for the award in Maria's category. Would voters, unfamiliar with most of the names in the category, wind up picking the one group of names that they did know?

Apparently, yes. Star power won out, and "Stadium Arcadium" picked up the award for Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package.



Rhino Entertainment was actually nominated twice in the category -- the also-excellent "A Life Less Lived: The Gothic Box" was also up for the Grammy. Above, the Rhino designers celebrate their non-victories.

I reminded Maria and her co-workers that Grammy doesn't always get it right: Witness the coronation in the late 1980s of Milli Vanilli as best new artist. (Granted, they later had to return their award). I also came up with an idea that I should pitch the Recording Academy: The non-winners suite. If you don't win, you oughta be directed to a special lounge where the booze is flowing freely and the party is hopping. And if you win a trophy, you're denied entrance.



I'd been to the Grammys before, but never as the date of a real-life nominee. To actually experience what it's like to be apart of an awards show -- the adrenaline, the excitement, the recognition -- was awesome. And I wasn't even the one nominated! It was obviously even more exhilirating for Maria.

Maria spent the morning getting her hair and makeup done, followed by putting on the new dress she had purchased during the holidays at the BCBG store at the Citadel. (In the meantime, I dropped Evan off with the sitter and bought Maria some good luck flowers.) Then it was time to test out the shoes (the black ones won out). After that, we hopped on the freeway and sped downtown.

The Pre-Telecast runs from 1:30 to 3:30, and it moves fast. We weren't sure when Maria's category was going to be announced; but just to be safe, we opted for the first decent parking lot we found -- and at $20, it was (gasp) a steal. (Another lot down the street was charging $50; later, when I headed back to drop something off in the car, I noticed our own lot had jacked up their price to $30).

We treked to the Convention Center, and discovered that Maria's category was fourth -- fourth! After a quick introduction from Recording Academy leaders, hosts Steve Vai and Miss Universe Zuleyka Mendoza began handing out the awards. After Maria's category was announced, we went back out into the lobby, managed to grab some wine and food right before the bar closed, and proceeded to hang out and people watch.

After a while, we decided to head over to the Staples Center. We got there early enough to stake out our seats and relax. At 5 p.m. sharp, The Police were officially reunited on stage (Sting's gotta work on those high "Roxanne" notes) and the Grammy telecast had begun.

Highlights: Gnarls Barkley, dressed as pilots, handling a reworked version of "Crazy." Mary J. Blige, belting out the sound as always. Prince, walking on stage unannounced and introducing Beyonce with just three words. And more.

Later, we drove over to the old St. Vibiana's cathedral for the Warner Music Group party. Stay tuned for more pics from that event.

And one more time, congrats to Maria. When you think about the sheer number of CD box sets (anything with more than one disc) that are released every year, it's already quite a feat to wind up as one of five projects competing for the Grammy Award. Like I told her, let's do this again next year!

First Look at the Grammy Museum

Inside the new Grammy Museum. Pic via the LATimes.

I had the opportunity to attend Wednesday night's Grammy Nominations concert/TV special at the Nokia Theatre (a bland venue I still don't like).. the Foo Fighters singing "You're So Vain," cool; Celine Dion singing "At Seventeen," er, not so much.

The concert, telecast for an hour live on CBS, was the Recording Academy's attempt to inject some excitement into the usual award nomination announcement. The show wasn't too bad (the exceptions being Dion and Taylor Swift -- I don't get, she'd be voted off "American Idol" after a few rounds) -- especially when the Foos' Dave Grohl ironically announced the country duos category.

Also, from the audience, watching groups of pre-teens attempt to walk up to the Jonas Brothers -- only to be denied by security -- was amusing (that look of frustration on those girls' faces -- 'We're so close, yet so far away!!' -- was especially great).

After the broadcast, John Mayer stuck around to perform an hour-long acoustic set, offering up his usual easy-to-swallow-but-not-too-interesting brand of guitar pop. Mayer took the opportunity to blast the tabloid attention to his personal life -- name checking his pals at TMZ. (Nope, didn't see Jennifer Aniston anywhere.)


(Flickr pic by Intellichick.)

MEANWHILE, the highlight of the evening was afterward, when I got a chance to check out the new Grammy Museum at LA Live.

Rather than offering up a static collection of music memorabilia and Grammy statues, the museum offers up 21st century-style interactivity. In this post's top pic, you can see one of the highlights: A touch screen that allows you to search through an entire history of virtually every music genre at your finger tips.


(Flickr pic by Intellichick.)

Plenty of other stations include lessons on how to remix from Paul Oakenfold; how to sing, from Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis; how to rap, with Jermaine Dupri; and creating beats with DJ Rap. There are several video displays devoted to things such as regional music; great Grammy performances; and more.


(Flickr pic by Intellichick.)

On the downside, sponsorship is everywhere -- logos from Target to JBL sprinkle the displays.

But on the bright side, there are plenty of cool pieces of memorabilia to see as well. One letter, from Elvis to a fan (sent right before he became famous)in 1955 reads:

"I don't love you and I doubt if I ever could, so please let's be friends and drop it there... P.S. If you write again, please send me a picture for my scrapbook."

Other items seen: Slick Rick's eyepatch; the handwritten album notes (by Tupac himself) for Tupac Shakur's "2pacalypse Now"; a 1957 letter from Buddy Holly to his mother (in which he notes that they were the only white act at a recent Washington D.C. show); a Guns n' Roses bass drum head from Matt Sorum; Billie Holliday's costume jewelry; Buddy Rich's drum sticks; a telegram to a promoter from Count Basie; the Presley Family bible; and one of B.B. King's suits.

Also: A sparkly dress from Celia Cruz; a 1964 concert program signed by Bob Dylan; the handwritten lyrics (by Eminem) to "Stan"; Louie Armstrong's neck tie; Glenn Miller's trombone; a 1966 bass owned by Jimi Hendrix; and a 1978 Davis clavitar (those cool, 80s-style keyboard guitars) from Herbie Hancock.

I'm no fan of how L.A. Live looks, but I'd say the Grammy Museum exceeded expectations. It's worth a visit, especially with visitors from out of town. And it's not a big time drain; the museum, which is spread over 4 floors, can probably be fully appreciated in 90 minutes. Tix are $14.95 for adults; $10.95 for kids 6-17.

FREE L.A.: The Grammy Museum Goes Hawaiian

Hawaiian Eye/Aloha Friday Radio may be long gone, but the vibrant Hawaiian music scene lives on. This Friday, L.A. Live's Grammy Museum is offering a free program featuring this year's Grammy nominees in the Hawaiian category.

"Hawai'i Goes Grammy: A Tribute to Hawaiian Music" takes place this Friday, Feb. 6 at 8 p.m. Not only will the event give you an opportunity to check out the museum -- which we gave a good review back in December -- but you'll also get what promises to be a good show. Details:

Celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Hawaiian music with The GRAMMY Museum! Join us as 2009 GRAMMY Nominees in the Hawaiian Music category perform on our GRAMMY Sound Stage. Program will also include an onstage interview and musical history lesson with Chief Curator Ken Viste. Admission is free to the public. Museum members receive priority admission. Doors open at 7:30 pm. To reserve tickets, call 213.765.6830 or e-mail programs@grammymuseum.org.

This year's nominees -- yet another group heavy on the slack key guitar, shutting out other subgenres -- include "Ikena" by Tia Carrere & Daniel Ho; "Aumakua" by Amy Hanaiali'i; "Force of Nature" by Led Kaapana & Mike Kaawa; "Hawaiian Slack Key Kings Masters Series, Vol. II," compiled by Chris Lau and Milton Lau; and "The Spirit of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar," compiled by Daniel Ho, George Kahumoku Jr., Dennis Kamakahi, Paul Konwiser and Wayne Wong.

Last Night's Live Grammy Tweets: A Recap

From early ratings results, it looks like Sunday night's 52nd annual Grammy Awards on CBS performed strong -- up 44% from last year, and its best numbers in six years.

Sitting in the audience, I have to say, it was a pretty good show. Usually there are slow moments that drag, but this year the entire proceedings moved along rather fast. Stephen Colbert was an excellent choice to open the show -- he oughta just host the whole thing next year; but then again, perhaps the show moved swiftly this year beause there wasn't a host.

Best performance? Toss up between Beyonce and Pink -- but edge to Pink, whose acrobatics were amazing, and even more so when you realize that she wasn't lip synching. (Plus, as a bonus, it was great to watch the rich and famous freak out when a wet, nearly nude Pink soared above them, dripping all over.)

I wasn't planning on live Tweeting from the crowd, but I couldn't resist. Here's a roundup of my live coverage from last night:

OK. Ne-Yo, I'll wave my hands in the air. But I just DO care, Ne-Yo. I care.
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At the Grammy afterparty. Jamie Foxx just jumped on stage with Ne-Yo. Please, people, stop encouraging his music career.
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Who will win album of the year? It seems like Beyonce's night.
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I fear Lady Gaga may accidentally stab someone with her sparkly Lady Liberty crown.
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Cool that the Grammys are paying tribute to Les Paul. I mean, he was no Lady Gaga...
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Ohmigod I think Maxwell just impregnated Roberta Flack on stage.
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Beyonce a Grammy winner... and from the look of that dress, a Golden Globes winner as well! HEY-OOOOOO!!!!!!
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Annual lecture from Recording Academy topper Neil Portnow. "Yo, don't download illegally."
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Wyclef Jean: "There are no more record companies." The few remaining record execs in the audience: "Sigh."
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Just recounted to @denisemartin that Mary J's "No More Drama" remains my fave Grammy perf of the past decade...
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Bon Jovi on stage. Where are fellow Jerseyites Snooki and the Situation? GET EM ON STAGE!
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Paris and Prince Michael on stage, accepting lifetime achiev. award for dad. But where's Blanket? FREE BLANKET.
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Federally mandated appearance by Ryan Seacrest, check.
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Turns out the Zac Brown Band is made up of the castmembers from The CW's canceled "Reaper." Tyler Labine on lead vocals.
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Alice Cooper refers to the "voluptuous" Katy Perry, who's surprisingly conservative with tonight's attire.
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Slash was blaming it on the alcohol long before T-Pain and Jamie Foxx.
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Get used to that Kings of Leon song (just won Record of the Year) -- AC stations like KOST will be playing it for the next 30 years.
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Surprised the Grammys avoided the Lady Gaga-Lady Antebellum-perform-"Lady Marmalade" duet idea. C'mon, Erlich!
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Just spotted Phil Keoghan. Philiminator! Plus Lady Gaga just walked by in wacky sparkly seaquest outfit. Lady Gaga sporting fins.
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Rare performance by the Black Eyed Peas. Those guys are like the JD Salinger of music!!
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Zac Brown Band? Didn't they sing the song in "Eddie and the Cruisers" in 1984?
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Was rooting for Silversun Pickups, but kinda weird they were up for Best New Artist (on their 2nd major release)
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It's raining Pink on the Staples Center expensive seats...
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Apparently Pink is trying out for Cirque du Soleil...
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Damn, I don't know how anyone's gonna top Beyonce, strong.
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Sasha Fierce on stage, performing with the Beyonce Man Group
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Green Day performed with cast of their Broadway show; the karaoke/Idol/Glee-ization of pop culture continues.
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In the Grammy audience. Stephen Colbert strong open (folks, it's time to hire him as an awards show host!); makes first iPad gag of night

Franklin Avenue: Now More Grammy-Nominated

Mary J. Blige, Mary J. Schmige -- whatever. The REAL news of today's Grammy nominations is here: Franklin Avenue's very own Maria just landed a Grammy nod for Best Boxed Or Special Limited Edition Package!



Red Hot Chili Peppers, you're going DOWN!!!

Maria's "Girl Groups Sounds: Lost and Found" box set has earned several sweet notices since being released late last year; including this mention in Print magazine:



Congrats to my wife! The Schneider clan is now 33 1/3% Grammy nominated! (And Evan and I can say we now co-habitate with a real-life Grammy nominee!)

World's Worst Grammy Photos

Maria and I made it to the Staples Center Wednesday for the Grammy Awards -- albeit, an hour late (damn you, Downtown L.A. traffic). Just in time to see Mariah Carey do that thing where she's shrieking out notes and waving her hand wildly. Good to have her back.

Our seats were fantastic: Close to the floor, where celebs and performers were whisked back and forth between the stage and the back of the house. Mariah, Beyonce, Bono, Elvis Costello, Bonnie Raitt, a very shaggy Tom Hanks, a Dave Grohl lookalike, Queen Latifah, Queen Latifah again (bathroom break?), etc. Our digital camera captured it all.

Well, it attempted to capture it all. Low on batteries, it was nearly impossible to catch said celebs as they were whisked by at lightning speed. At some point we decided it would be more fun to grab terrible shots of celebs anyway.

You've seen the decent Grammy photos in the press. Now, for the first time, Franklin Avenue presents... the World's Worst Grammy Photos.


Hey! Wait! There's Bono! Hey, Bono! Bono! Damn camera. Wait a minute... got his hat!


Beyonce! Beyonce! Well, at least you can see her fierce back.


Mariah's hair. And that's it. You take what you can.


Smack dab in the middle: Jon Brion. Hey, you can kinda make him out. Maybe our camera's starting to cooperate.


Joe accosts Bonnie Raitt, and we finally get a good pic of someone. Our luck has turned...


.. or not. Here's an edge of The Edge.


Hey Will.I.Am, what's up! Hey, thanks for turning your critically acclaimed Black Eyed Peas into music's biggest whores. You're going to hell for those Best Buy commercials.


Oh yeah, there's us. Smiling because we missed Kelly Clarkson's performance. (We love you, Downtown L.A. traffic.)

Highlight of the evening: Michael Jackson's dad is stalking us. Throughout the afterparty, we kept running into Joe Jackson (boasting a sparkly, sequinned hat). Everywhere we turn, there was Papa Joe. We wanted to ask when he was visiting Bahrain, and how Blanket was taking the change in climate... but we resisted.

Followup highlight: You didn't see it at home, but after Academy leader Neil Portnow cut off U2's acceptance speech for record of the year, Larry Mullen continued to stand at the podium on the other side of the stage, pleading for more time. He even dropped to his hands and knees as the microphone slid to the ground -- prompting laughs and cheers from the audience. Portnow pretended not to hear the commotion and kept on talking. And talking. Finally, U2 left the other stage.

Meanwhile, check out Carolyn's fantastic coverage at LAist of the trainwreck that was the KCBS/2 Grammy webcast (here and here). The things that come out of KCBS reporter Lisa Joyner's mouth are priceless. And quite embarrassing.

Grammy Museum Celebrates 30 Years of L.A. Pop Music

(Flickr pic by MindHead Media.)

The Grammy Museum joins in on "Pacific Standard Time" initiative this February with "Trouble In Paradise: Music and Los Angeles, 1945-1975," a look at 30 pivotal years in the Los Angeles pop music scene. The exhibit opens on Wednesday, February 22, 2012, and will be housed on its fourth floor. USC professor Josh Kun is co-curator. A few details:

The exhibit features iconic images, a cross-section of ephemera (album art, handbills, concert posters, etc.), music, and filmed interviews with key figures in the scene. Rather than an exhaustive overview, Trouble In Paradise focuses on the tensions between alluring myths of Southern California paradise and the realities of social struggle that characterized the years following WWII.

Genres of music highlighted in the exhibit include surf rock, jazz, R&B, Laurel Canyon folk rock, the Sunset Strip rock scene and the East L.A. Chicano sound, all of which helped shape the most diverse and influential music scenes in all of America during this socially tumultuous period of L.A. History. Trouble In Paradise : Music and Los Angeles, 1945-1975 will be on display through March 25, 2012. Additional public and educational programming related to the exhibit will be announced soon.

The Grammy Museum is located downtown at L.A. Live.

Crappy Cell Phone Pics From the Grammys

Maria and I threw on some acceptable duds and headed down to the Staples Center on Sunday evening (sans Blogger Toddler -- sorry, BT) to catch the 50th Annual Grammy Awards.

Our seats were strong: Third row up from the floor, in the center of the audience... which meant we got to see celebs and performers walking up and down the aisle in front of us. As has become a Franklin Avenue tradition, I now present.. horrible camera phone shots from the Grammys. (And by the way, these are the good ones. I had to toss most of 'em.)


Coolest outfit of the night: Some guy decided to wear a jacket with a roster of his favorite pop divas.


The Grammy stage.


Robert Plant's hair.


Will.i.am gives a hip-hop tribute to the Grammys.


Tom Hanks throws on his glasses and signs a few Grammy programs for people in the front row of our section.


Maria with her former Rhino co-worker Masaki Koike, who won a Grammy yesterday in the Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package category (that's the one Maria was nominated in last year) for "What It Is! Funky Soul And Rare Grooves (1967-1977)." Congrats, Masaki!

Highlights from the show: Seeing Tina Turner still strut her stuff, with Beyonce, was very cool. Kayne West's tribute to his mother elicited a few tears from Maria. Amy Winehouse was great... but live via satellite, so the electricity wasn't felt in the room. Alicia Keys is a natural. Morris Day from The Time hasn't aged a bit; would have loved to have seen more of their reunion. I was hoping for more from the Cirque du Soleil/"Across the Universe" Beatles tribute. That Herbie Hancock-led orchestral performance of "Rhapsody in Blue" sounded great in the Staples Center... too bad that song will forever remind me of United Airlines. And Jason Bateman is a fantastic ad-libber.

It's Been a Big Grammy Weekend for Our Own Nominee, Maria

Above, Maria shows off her Grammy Nominee medallion at last night's nominee reception.

The event, held at the Wilshire Ebell, is one of the highlights for the nominees. There's a energy to the crowd, made up of Grammy noms and their guests, as pictures are taken, food and drink are consumed, musicians perform and strangers with medallions around their neck excitedly talk to other strangers with medallions around their neck (a popular question: "What are you nominated for?")



We wound up talking for a while to someone nominated in the Best Children's Album category. We ran into Daniel Ho -- the Hawaiian musician and record label owner, up for another Hawaiian Music Grammy. The sightings were all over the map: "Weird Al" Yankovic passed right by us, as did Joan Baez.


Maria gets her portrait taken

Maria's category -- Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package -- will be awarded sometime during the pre-show ceremony (where most of the 108 categories are handed out) at the Los Angeles Convention Center between 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. We'll then swing across the street to the Staples Center for the big telecast, which this year kicks off with the much-hyped reunion of The Police.



Here's what Maria's up against:



Keep your fingers crossed! I think Maria's got a good shot. As you may remember, her "Girl Groups Sounds: Lost and Found" box set has earned several sweet notices since being released at the beginning of last year; including this mention in Print magazine:

Grammy Recap

Rather underwhelming show -- no huge moments, although highlights included Melissa Etheridge and Joss Stone covering Janis Joplin, and the surprise appearance of Godfather James Brown (we arrived too late and missed Alicia Keys). The all-star attempt at a Tsunami relief tribute fell flat, and let's face it, the Ray Charles CD should not have received all of those awards. (And c'mon, John Mayer? Really?) And really, how terrible is that Tim McGraw song?!

Even the Hawaiian winner was disappointing: The slack key compilation won over the favorites, Keali'i Reichel and the Brothers Cazimero. Either one of those acts would have put a face on the award (both acts regularly sell out across the country, including locally at the Hollywood Bowl).

Writes the Honolulu Advertiser: By contrast, many in the industry were initially surprised to see "Slack Key Guitar, Vol. 2" on the final Grammy ballot when nominees were announced in December. Its late 2003 release on Brotman's Kamuela-based indie-label Palm Records was as low key as the music featured on the compilation, by musicians such as John Cruz, Bryan Kessler and Randy Lorenzo, among others.

The disc barely registered on local music sales charts or radio. And much of its limited airplay and attention arrived via Mainland public radio stations that feature folk and acoustic music.

But in the end, Grammy voters — most of them Mainland-based — cast their vote for the quiet collection of slack key instrumentals, its acoustic guitar stylings likely more familiar to them than Hawaiian language vocals or chant were.

Show was still good for people watching -- saw Ellen DeGeneres and galpal Portia DeRossi holding hands; Grammy winner (!) Zach Braff passed by our seats; as did -- my favorite close-up sighting of the night -- Mr. Soul Train, Don Cornelius (who was honored at the show).

For a change, this year's after party took place at the L.A. Convention Center (rather than the Biltmore Hotel, where it has been traditionally held). As techno music pumped, trapeze artists and clowns on stilts performed (as did, later in the evening, Deborah Cox, John Legend and the ever-ubiquitous Black Eyed Peas).

As for us, we survived our first evening together away from Evan -- thanks again to Maria's sister, Kat, for looking after the little guy. (We promised her a gift bag -- and wouldn't you know, this year they didn't give out one!) We were typical new parents, dialing Kat every so often to check up on the baby, who did just fine without us.

Grammy Goes Hawaiian

Disappointing story on the front page of today's L.A. Times that promises, at least on the headline, to chronicle how the Grammys are finally awarding a Hawaiian music statuette.

But after the first two graphs, the story turns into a harangue on how the Recording Academy gives out too many Grammys:

Or could that crowded feeling be coming from Cazimero's fellow nominees? In the thick of the Hollywood awards season, there's no suspense about one thing: If they gave an award for the awards show with the most awards, the name in the envelope would be this year's Grammys. With 107 categories up for grabs, the nominee list fills 63 pages.

Who knew you could win a Grammy for best surround-sound CD or best packaging of a boxed set?

Well, we did, for one. Maria, after all, designs box set packages for Rhino.

The story did nothing to explain why the Hawaiian music Grammy was so long in coming, considering the other music forms that have long been recognized, like polka.

After all, Hawaii is home to a unique and vibrant recording industry. The music is as mainstream as it gets in the state -- name another regional music that's as widespread. Several of the state's top-rated radio stations play island music; I don't know of any other markets where, besides Spanish formats, the regional music is played on the No. 1 station in town.

Yet the genre was ignored by the Grammys -- until this year. (The Hawaii Recording Academy's Na Hoku Hanohano awards have filled the void for decades, honoring all types of Hawaiian music, from traditional to instrumental to Hawaiian reggae, or "Jawaiian.")

This year's nominees: "Some Call it Aloha... Don't Tell," by the Brothers Cazimero; "Ke'alaokamaile" by Keali'i Reichel; "Amy & Willie Live," by Willie K and Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom; "Cool Elevation" by Ho'okena; and the compilation "Slack Key Guitar, Vol. 2."

I played tracks from all five nominees last Thursday night on "Hawaiian Eye"; tune in this week -- Thursday nights/Friday mornings from midnight to 2 a.m. on 88.5 KCSN-FM-- as I play the entire winning CD.

Meanwhile, Maria and I are off to the Staples Center to catch tonight's show. (It'll be our first time away from little Evan!) We'll bring the digital camera and hope to report on it later.

(See how Hawaii's Honolulu Star Bulletin covers the first Hawaiian Grammy here. And no, I'm not the Variety reporter he mentions attended the Friday night event at the Cinegrill.)

Aloha, Grammy

This week's Hawaiian Eye radio show takes a look at the five nominees for Best Hawaiian Music Album.

It's only the third year that the Grammy Awards has recognized the vibrant Hawaiian music scene. Last year's winner, Daniel Ho (who produced the compilation "Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar), joins me on this week's show to talk about the award and play live in studio.

Ho is up for another award this year (having produced the compilation "Legends of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar -- Live from Maui), along with Amy Hanaiali'i ("Generation Hawai'i"), Ledward Ka'apana ("Grandmaster Slack Key Guitar"), Henry Kapono ("The Wild Hawaiian") and the various artists compilation "Hawaiian Slack Key Kings."

Click below to hear this week's Hawaiian Eye, including tracks from all five CDs and my interview with Daniel Ho.


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Speaking of the Grammys, stay tuned this weekend for Maria's "Diary of a Grammy Nominee"!

"Whitney" Comes to the Grammy Museum

Just in time for the Aug. 17 release of her final film ("Sparkle"), Whitney Houston will be celebrated with a new exhibition at the Grammy Museum downtown.

"Whitney! Celebrating The Musical Legacy of Whitney Houston," will open on August 15 and run until February. Items to be featured in the exhibit include:

* Stage costumes worn by Houston, including her white, beaded gown worn at the 1992 GRAMMY Awards, where she won "Album of the Year"
* Albums and career scrapbooks from Houston's early career
* Houston's personal Bible
* Rare photographs of Houston both on and off stage
* Concert posters, tour books and fan memorabilia

Choice Cuts Volume 23: Some of Our Favorite Tracks From 2024

In no particular order, I've selected the favorite tracks from 2024's playlists for my 23nd annual Choice Cuts end-of-year mix. And once again I am doing my Casey Kasem impression and turned it into a radio show as well. Here ya go: 

Michael Schneider · 2024 Choice Cuts Radio Show

Also, check out the Choice Cuts 2024 YouTube playlist here, or stream the full playlist on Spotify playlist here.

Or you can listen and watch each one below!

1. "Cinderella" — Remi Wolf

Last year's Choice Cuts comp featured Remi Wolf on a duet with Benny Sings, but this year we have her solo. The Palo Alto native released her second album, "Big Ideas," in 2024 , featuring her biggest hit to date, "Cinderella."  Let's go hang with her and the boys in the hotel lobby!

2. "Love Me Not (feat. Rex Orange County)" — Ravyn Lenae

The original version of Ravyn Lenae's track "Love Me Not" appears on her album "Birds Eye," which was released in August. She later released a remix of the song featuring new vocals from Rex Orange County. It's perhaps an unexpected collab, but their voices truly mesh.

3. "Cheerleader" — Porter Robinson

Born in Atlanta and raised in Chapel Hill, electronic music producer Porter Robinson crafted a fast paced, catchy tune for his first release in two years. A song about parasocial relationships, "Cheerleader" meshes emo with synthpop. It's pretty irresistable.

4. "Every Night Every Morning" — Maoli

Originally released by the country duo Maddie & Tae in 2022, the song "Every Night Every Morning" got a Hawaiian reggae makeover by the group Maoli, led by Glenn Awong. You couldn't escape this song in Hawai'i this summer, and for good reason. 

5. "DANCE NOW" — JOEY VALENCE & BRAE

No, it's not an old Beastie Boys track. Hailing from Pennsylvania, Joey Valence and Brae bring plenty of bravado and humor to a dope beat. We DIY, yeah we're Etsy.

6. "Take A Bite" — beabadoobee

We featured Beabadoobee's song "Talk" in our 2022 Choice Cuts mix. This time out we've got the lead single from her third album "This Is How Tomorrow Moves." Beabadoobee once again takes us back to the 90s with an another infectious tune, "Take A Bite," in which she embraces her chaotic side. Go ahead, take a bite.

7. "Starburster" — Fontaines D.C.

Formed in 2014 and based in Ireland, rock band Fontaines D.C. released their fourth album "Romance" in 2024 and hit it big with "Starburster," which was named song of the year by Spin and landed a Grammy nom for best alternative music performance. 

8. "Hell of A Ride" — Nourished By Time

Marcus Brown, a.k.a. Nourished By Time's 2024 EP "Catching Chickens" features the track "Hell of a Ride" which now feels a bit prescient... is it really about proclaiming the end of late-stage capitalism and the fall of America as we know it? Well, it has been a hell of a ride. Sigh.

9. "Love To Walk Away" — The Vaccines

Formed in West London n 2010, The Vaccines have already released six albums, including most recently 2024's "Pick-Up Full of Pink Carnations." That title was inspired by Don McLean's "American Pie" as frontman Justin Young decided to make an album about the "loss of dreams." "Love to Walk Away" set that tone.

10. "Don't Forget Me" — Maggie Rogers

Maggie Rogers kicked off 2024 by releasing her third album "Don't Forget Me," and even sneak previewing the title track on New Year's Day. Turns out we didn't forget her this year.

11. "You Need Me Now? (feat. Sabrina Carpenter)" — girl in red

During Taylor Swift's lengthy Eras tour, both Girl in Red and Sabrina Carpenter served as opening acts. So it probably was inevitable that they would collab on their own track together. It was a big year for Sabrina Carpenter, and she's featured here backing up Girl in Red on "You Need Me Now."

12. "BODYGUARD" — Beyoncé

In yet another groundbreaking year for Beyonce, she played with various genres, especially of course country, on her eighth album "Cowboy Carter" and then ended the year breaking records as the halftime extravaganza during the Christmas Day NFL games. This was my favorite song off Cowboy Carter, the 70s-ish "Bodyguard."

13. "blindspot" — Charlotte Sands

Off her LP "Can We Start Over," Charlotte Sands channels the 1990s -- hey it seems to be a common theme here -- in "Blindspot." In the song, Charlotte opines over falling in love with a friend. Sands says she was inspired by artists like Michelle Branch and Jewel in "Blindspot." Take a listen.

14. "Just My Luck" — Obongjayar

Obongjayar is a Nigerian singer based in London, real name Steven Umoh. His music mixes soul, electronic music, hip hop influences, Afrobeat and more. And then there's that falsetto voice he uses in the catchy tune "Just My Luck." You won't be able to get him shouting "Lucky! Lucky" out of your head. But don't worry, it's just your luck.

15. "Lego Ring (feat. Lil Yachty)" — Faye Webster

Faye Webster and Lil Yachty were middle school pals in Atlanta, and then took different creative paths. And yet, Faye's indie folk rock and Yachty's trap and rap background both come from experimental places. So of course, it completely works to bring them together on "Lego Ring." Stay in touch with your childhood friends!

16. "Sexy to Someone" — Clairo

Clairo, the performing name for Claire Cottrill, received a Grammy nomination for her third album "Charm," featuring tracks like Sexy to Someone, a plea for love that is nevertheless bright and groovy.  

17. "Otherside (feat. Holly Walker) — Maribou State

Maribou State is an electronic music duo out of the UK featuring Chris Davids and Liam Ivory. But they regularly work with singer Holly Walker, who shows up here in the track "Otherside," off their upcoming album "Hallucinating Love."

18. "Right Back to It (feat. MJ Lenderman)" — Waxahatchee

Waxahatchee, the band project from Katie Crutchfield, wowed critics this year with "Tigers Blood," her sixth album. Nominated for a Grammy as best Americana album, "Tigers Blood" features the power collab between Waxahatchee and MJ Lenderman. Inspired by classic country duets, "Right Back to It" was named one of the best singles of the year by the New York Times. Let's get right back to it.

19. "squabble up" — Kendrick Lamar

You'd think winning his battle with Drake via the instant classic "Not Like Us" would make enough of a victorious year for Kendrick Lamar. But in November he dropped the surprise album "GNX." That album immediately cemented Kendrick's MVP status in 2024; the track "Squabble Up" I particularly love, of course, thanks to the "When I Hear Music" Debbie Deb sample.

20. "Pretending" — FLETCHER

Fletcher, real name Cari Elise Fletcher, released her second full-length album this year, "In Search of the Antidote," featuring the track "Pretending." Fletcher says the song is about having that person at that back of your mind who makes you keep wondering, " Is it going to be us that end up together one day?" For now, we'll both keep on pretending.

21. "Good Luck, Babe!" — Chappell Roan

When Chappell Roan announced the release of her single "Good Luck Babe," she described it as the "first song of the next chapter" and she was most certainly right. It was a big year for the singer, although that did come with plenty of controversy over her struggles with fame. I try not to include too many mega hits on this list, but NPR named it the best pop song of the year and "Good Luck Babe" continues to be a grand, anthemic listen.

22. "Nothing Would Change" — The Linda Lindas

They've come a long way from the LA Public Library. You heard the Linda Lindas' hit "Growing Up" this summer in "Inside Out 2," and more recently the Linda Lindas released their second album, "No Obligation." As they prepare to embark on a North American tour in 2025, the Linda Lindas are truly growing up. And this track, "Nothing Would Change," takes another melancholic look at how growing up means that, well, everything changes.

23. "Crown" — Billie Marten

UK singer songwriter Billie Marten has been playing the song "Crown" in concert for some time, but finally released a recording of the song, which Billie describes as "a song of longing, of accepting who you are, a truthful interlude." Try on this "Crown."

24. "Girl, so confusing (featuring lorde)" — Charli XCX

This may be one of my favorite music moments of the whole year. The original "Girl, So Confusing" appears on Charli XCX's album "Brat," which took the world by storm. In it, she talks about her rivalry with another musician. In this remix, we find out who it is: Lorde, who adds a verse as the two air out their issues -- and promise to break the Internet in the process.

25. "God Gave Me Feet For Dancing (feat. Yazmin Lacey)" — Yazmin Lacey & Ezra Collective

For their third album, "Dance, No One's Watching," Ezra Collective partnered with London singer Yazmin Lacey to give us the smooth, jazz-infused groove "God Gave Me Feet For Dancing." Bandleader Femo Koleoso says the song is meant to look at dancing in a more spirtual capacity. "It's our God-given ability to share away the badness of life and dance instead." Something to remember as we head into 2025.

One More Grammy Post: The After-Party

Maria and I ducked out of the Grammys early (we had seen the performances we'd wanted to see, like the Police, Gnarls Barkley and Mary J. Blige) in order to hit the Warner Music Group after-party before the crowd crunch.

Indeed, when we arrived at the old St. Vibiana's Cathedral -- now just known as the Cathedral -- the place was just starting to get hopping. And because Maria was a nominee, we were immediately shuttled inside -- no waiting! Indeed, being nominated has its privileges.



Once inside, we marveled at the restoration of what was once the center of the L.A. Archdiocese. Can you believe the church wanted to tear down St. Vibiana's?! Thankfully, the L.A. Conservancy stepped in and the building was saved. There's no doubt what this building once was -- above, check out the confessionals.



More views from inside the Warner Music Group party. Among notables spotted in the crowd: Scarlett Johansson, Dangermouse from Gnarls Barkley and Quentin Tarantino.



The event also included a gospel choir (above, sticking with the Cathedral theme, natch) performing contemporary songs, including this year's nominated singles.



Food passed around included Kobe beef burgers, crab cakes, skirt steak with wasabi mashed potatoes, ahi tuna on rice crackers... and our favorite, above: Fried donuts covered in powdered sugar. Ohsogood.



It's not sacriligious if it's no longer a church. Above, I confess my sins.



And Maria does the same.



Some of the great details from St. Vibiana's is still there. I never got a chance to see it as a cathedral; the 1994 Northridge earthquake had shut the place down by the time I arrived in Los Angeles in 1996. Built in 1876, St. Vibiana's is surprisingly small -- but obviously perfectly fit the tiny Los Angeles of the time. The city had obviously outgrown the cathedral a century later. A compromise by the city swapped land near the 101 (now the home of the new Cathedral) in exchange for St. Vibiana's (which the Archdiocese was starting to tear down). Tom Gilmore now operates the site, which has been touted as a new community arts center. More details here.



The front of St. Vibiana's, as the Warner Music Group Grammy party begins.

[Updated with some corrections and new info.]

Los Angeles and "Mad Men," another in a series

Once again, we were watching "Mad Men" on Sunday night, when Maria and I both realized -- hey! We know this place!

Indeed, the ill-fated wedding on this week's episode took place inside the classic Wilshire Ebell theatre and attached venue.



We were there in February 2007 for Maria's Grammy nomination party. Here's that same view from above, taken when we were at the Grammy party:



Here's a view from the opposite angle of Roger Sterling's daughter's wedding reception:



And here's a professional photo of a real wedding at the exact same venue (via the official Wilshire Ebell website):



More on "Mad Men" and Los Angeles:

Los Angeles and "Mad Men" (Oct. 2009)

"Mad Men" Gets Its L.A. Logos Right (Dec. 2008)