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Mix Regional: The Grammys

Willie Nelson honored, API Co-Founder Saul Walker awarded technical Grammy, and Recording Academy Producers & Engineers Wing renews partnership with archive and preservation company Iron Mountain

Willie Nelson Honored as Part of Grammy Week Celebration

Music industry icon Willie Nelson will be honored by the Recording Academy Producers & Engineers Wing during the 12 annual Grammy Week celebration with an event at The Village Studios in West Los Angeles. This event will celebrate the artistic achievements and creative genius of Nelson, and also acknowledge the overall industry contributions of the Producers & Engineers Wing’s more than 6,400 professional members. The 2019 Grammy Week culminates with the 61st Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, February 10.

“Willie Nelson has inspired generations of musicians and fans, and continues to set precedents of excellence within the music community,” says Neil Portnow, president/CEO of the Recording Academy. “We are privileged to pay tribute this year to an industry pioneer who perfectly embodies the tireless efforts of the Producers & Engineers Wing as we continue to raise awareness of the ever-evolving climate of sound quality and the increasing interest in the preservation and integrity of recorded music.”

With a six-decade career and more than 200 albums, Nelson is the creative force behind historic recordings such as “Crazy,” Red Headed Stranger, and Stardust. He has earned innumerable accolades as a songwriter and musician, while also amassing admirable credentials as an author, actor and activist, and he continues to thrive as a relevant and progressive musical and cultural force.

Willie’s Grammys

Willie Nelson has won eight Grammys and been nominated 51 times! Here is a rundown of the times he took home the award.

1975 BEST COUNTRY VOCAL PERFORMANCE, MALE

“Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain”

1978 BEST COUNTRY VOCAL PERFORMANCE, MALE

“Georgia On My Mind”

1978 BEST COUNTRY VOCAL PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP

“Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys”

1980 BEST COUNTRY SONG

“On The Road Again”

1982 BEST COUNTRY VOCAL PERFORMANCE, MALE

“Always On My Mind”

2002 BEST COUNTRY COLLABORATION WITH VOCALS

“Mendocino County Line”

2007 BEST COUNTRY COLLABORATION WITH VOCALS

“Lost Highway”

2016 BEST TRADITIONAL POP VOCAL ALBUM

Summertime: Willie Nelson Sings Gershwin

A leading figure in outlaw country music, he is also known for his hugely successful collaborations with Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, Julio Iglesias and with the Highwaymen supergroup (Johnny Cash, Jennings, Nelson and Kris Kristofferson). Never one to play it safe, his distinctive style combines elements of jazz, blues, swing, honky-tonk, traditional pop, folk and rock.

During the past 10 years, Nelson has delivered 14 new albums, released the Top 10 New York Times bestselling book It’s A Long Story: My Life, and continues to headline Farm Aid, an event he co-founded in 1985. Additionally, Nelson has headlined three years of the ongoing Luck Reunion food and music festival at his ranch in Luck, Tex., during SXSW, announced the launch of his cannabis company Willie’s Reserve and graced the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.

Nelson continues to record more new songs for upcoming projects as well as touring throughout North America. His latest 2018 release is a tribute to the songs sung by Frank Sinatra, titled, fittingly, My Way; and he just recently debuted a new single, “Vote ‘Em Out.” In addition to eight Grammy Awards, Nelson has been recognized by the Recording Academy with the President’s Merit Award (1986), Grammy Legend Award (1990) and Lifetime Achievement Award (2000).

“Each year, the Recording Academy’s Producers & Engineers Wing annual Grammy Week event honors members of the recording community who exhibit exceptional standards of integrity, creativity and sonic quality,” says Maureen Droney, managing director of the Recording Academy Producers & Engineers Wing. “We are thrilled to pay homage to Willie Nelson, an undeniable icon with an incomparable—and uncompromising—body of work.”

API Co-Founder Saul Walker Awarded Technical Grammy

API co-founder Saul Walker (1927–2016) will be receiving the Recording Academy Technical Grammy Award as part of this year’s ceremony.

Starting in 1969, Saul Walker transformed the audio world with products like the API 312 mic preamp, 325 line driver, 512 mic preamp, the 550 EQ and 1604 console. All of these products used Walker’s world-renowned 2520 op amp and created a unique, warm analog sound. Walker’s talent and creativity established API as an industry powerhouse, and even after 50 years, his groundbreaking designs remain the sonic backbone of API.

Walker was tremendously respected in the pro audio industry, both as an innovative designer and engineer, and as an influential teacher and mentor. Students, colleagues and customers alike remember him as an exceptionally brilliant, kind and gifted man.

Related: A Conversation With Michael Abbott, by Mix Staff, Feb. 6, 2019

Recording Academy Producers & Engineers Wing Renews Partnership with Archive and Preservation Company Iron Mountain

The Recording Academy Producers & Engineers Wing has renewed its partnership with Iron Mountain Incorporated Entertainment Services. As an official P&E Wing Sustaining Partner, Iron Mountain provides title sponsorship for professional development events and serves as a member of the P&E Wing Manufacturer’s Council, a diverse array of audio-related companies that function as a creative think-tank to address industry issues, including technical best practices, new technology development, preservation of recording assets and creative rights. Iron Mountain is also serving as premier sponsor for the P&E Wing Grammy Week celebration.

“Over the last eight years, we have relied on Iron Mountain as a sustaining partner, and we thank them for their continued support,” says Maureen Droney, recording academy managing director, Producers & Engineers Wing. “Our organizations both advocate for best practices in preservation and the recording process, all with the goal of passing on our cultural heritage to future generations. Iron Mountain continues to be the industry leader in music archiving, restoration and transfer, which are cornerstone projects for the P&E Wing. We look forward to continuing this work together.”

“The P&E Wing is one of our close relationships, and we are proud to continue our coordinated efforts,” adds Greg Parkin, VP/GM, North America, Iron Mountain Entertainment Services. “As Iron Mountain continues to innovate in our preservation endeavors, both in the physical and digital domain, our relationship with the P&E Wing gives us a key seat at the table in advising on, and advocating for, the latest best practices in asset preservation and creative rights management.”

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