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"MY GRAMMY(R) MOMENT 2008" DOWN TO THREE FINALISTS VYING TO BE THE "FEATURED PERFORMER" IN FOO FIGHTERS' ORCHESTRA ON "THE 50TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS," FEB. 10 ON CBS
Fans Can Vote Now and During Telecast to Choose Their Favorite Instrumentalist - Ann Marie Calhoun, Brian Fitzgerald or Tara Klein
Fifteen talented "My GRAMMY� Moment 2008" musicians have been chosen from the YouTube community to play with current five-time GRAMMY-nominated rock band Foo Fighters as part of their orchestra created especially for THE 50TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS, �Sunday, Feb. 10 (8:00-11:30 PM, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network. Beginning today, three of those top vote-getters - Ann Marie Calhoun from Virginia, Brian Fitzgerald from Pennsylvania, and Tara Klein from Ohio - will have the opportunity to compete for his/her once-in-a-lifetime "GRAMMY Moment" as a featured performer in the orchestra. To view the video submissions of the Top 3 instrumentalists and vote for their favorite musician, music fans can log on to YouTube (www.youtube.com/mygrammymoment) or CBS.com (www.cbs.com/mygrammymoment). Music fans also have the opportunity to vote via text messaging on the day of the GRAMMY Awards, Sunday, Feb. 10.
Top 3 Finalists (in alphabetical order)
Ann Marie Calhoun (28, username: theboggster), Gordonsville, Va. - Violin
Brian Fitzgerald (23, username: brianfitzrock), Coatesville, Penn. - Violin
Tara Klein (27, username: taraklein1027), Cleveland - Cello
Arranging the orchestral piece and taking up the baton as special guest conductor will be Led Zeppelin's legendary multi-instrumentalist John Paul Jones. Together, Foo Fighters, Jones and this talented musical ensemble will provide the world with an entirely new take on Foo Fighters' hit single "The Pretender." The segment, presented by Gibson Guitar, will take place outside in the new Nokia Plaza in the L.A. Live complex across from the STAPLES Center. "My GRAMMY Moment 2008," sponsored by Chase, will have content also available across the CBS Audience Network and its more than 200 online partners.
"We are thrilled with the enormous amount of talent from the 'My GRAMMY Moment 2008' semi-finalists, and look forward to seeing them work together as an ensemble orchestra," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. "Even more exciting for one of the three finalists is having the opportunity-of-a-lifetime to showcase their musical talent to the world on Music's Biggest Night�."
Voting and Performance Information
Fans can vote up to 10 times for their favorite finalist via text message. Only standard text messaging rates apply. Voters can check their wireless carrier for more details, or text "HELP" to the number 81818 for more information.
Text voting: Text voting, enabled by VeriSign, occurs on Feb. 10 (12:01 AM, PT/3:01 AM, ET through the first hour of the live broadcast of the GRAMMY Awards at 5:59 PM, PT/8:59 PM, ET). The corresponding numbers for each finalist are (in alphabetical order):
Ann Marie Calhoun - Text "1" to 81818
Brian Fitzgerald -Text "2" to 81818
Tara Klein - Text "3" to 81818
Online voting: Online voting for the "featured performer" will take place now through Feb. 10, at 5:59 PM, PT/8:59 PM, ET at YouTube (www.youtube.com/mygrammymoment) or CBS.com www.cbs.com/mygrammymoment). Only one vote per person per day.
The featured instrumentalist will be announced live onstage during the telecast prior to his/her ultimate GRAMMY Moment with the Foo Fighters.
For rules and regulations, submission information, and voting site, log on to www.youtube.com/mygrammymoment or CBS.com www.cbs.com/mygrammymoment.
Top 15 in Foo Fighters Orchestra (in alphabetical order)
Luis Alberto (23, username: luisgma), Hattiesburg, Miss. - Violin
*Ann Marie Calhoun (28, username: theboggster), Gordonsville, Va. - Violin
Lisa Dondlinger (33, username: LisaGirl2008), Winnetka, Calif. - Violin
*Brian Fitzgerald (23, username: brianfitzrock), Coatesville, Penn. - Violin
Christine Wu (31, username: LAstrings), Santa Monica, Calif. - Violin
Tina Guo (22, username: demix500), Sun Valley, Calif. - Cello
Rami Hachache (18, username: totalrocketsauce), Los Angeles - Trumpet
Jennifer Lynn (25, username: jenniebenn), Bonsall, Calif. - Violin
Jeffrey Hughes (25, username: MaestroJeffHughes), Denver - Violin
*Tara Klein (27, username: taraklein1027), Cleveland - Cello
Michelle Morales (27, username: michellecello), Chicago - Cello
Emily Palen (29, username: Emilypalen), Oakland, Calif. - Violin
Andrew Pearson (18, username: vonditchman), Batavia, Ill. - Violin
Cameron Summers (23, username: casummers), New York - Trumpet
Abigail Wilenksy (21, username: bonsaifir), Nashville, Tenn. - Violin
* Top 3 Finalists
About The Recording Academy
Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards - the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music - The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. In its 50th year, The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com.
About CBS Interactive and the CBS Audience Network
CBS Interactive, a division of CBS Corporation, oversees all CBS consumer interactive properties including CBS.com, CBSSports.com, CBSNews.com, CBS Mobile, CBS EyeLab, Last.fm, Wallstrip and the CBS Audience Network. Aiming to be the most widely distributed professional content on the Web, the CBS Audience Network complements the best news, entertainment and sports content with original programming and short-form content and provides an all-embracing opportunity for users to incorporate CBS clips into their profiles, Web sites, blogs, widgets, wikis and community pages. The CBS Audience Network consists of online partners such as AOL, Microsoft, CNET Networks, Comcast, Joost, Bebo, Netvibes, Sling Media and Veoh and social application partners including Automattic, Brightcove, Clearspring, DAVE Networks, Goowy Media, meebo, MeeVee, Musestorm, Ning, RockYou!, Slide, VideoEgg, Voxant and vSocial as well as Web sites from CBS's 29 owned television, 144 radio, and up to 183 affiliated stations.
About YouTube
YouTube is the world's most popular online video community allowing millions of people to discover, watch and share originally created videos. YouTube provides a forum for people to connect, inform and inspire others across the globe and acts as a distribution platform for original content creators and advertisers large and small. YouTube, LLC is based in San Bruno, Calif., and is a subsidiary of Google Inc.
AboutVeriSign
VeriSign, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRSN) operates intelligent infrastructure services that enable and protect billions of interactions every day across the world's voice, video and data networks. Additional news and information about the company is available at http://www.verisign.com/.
The 50th ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS are produced by John Cossette Productions in association with AEG Ehrlich Ventures for The Recording Academy. Ken Ehrlich and John Cossette are executive producers, Walter C. Miller is producer/director and Tisha Fein is the coordinating producer.
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