MEMBERSHIP HAS ITS PRIVILEGES?

Some members of the publishing A&R community are expressing frustration over their inability to vote for Song of the Year and other songwriter-focused Grammys.

Many of these A&R execs haven't yet been able to qualify for Grammy membership, as they lack the credits required for eligibility—even though their contribution is often fundamental to a song's creation.

Why, for example, does a Grammy voter who gained membership with art and packaging credits get to vote on Song of the Year, but not those frequently closest to the songwriters and producers? Some publishers are trying to organize and lobby the Recording Academy, to gain voting membership for future years.

The Academy's site states that the membership process is evolving, and details several paths to voting membership, including the new concept that existing members can now recommend two new prospective members each year. Several insiders who've spoken with the new leadership at the Academy, meanwhile, have expressed the hope that change is nigh.