Join NARAS?
by Steve Bussey
GeoSynchronous Records
Did you watch the Grammy Awards recently on TV? Did you know that the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) is the organization that votes on and presents these awards? And did you know that you can join? Let's take a look at the what NARAS does and the benefits of joining NARAS.
The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences is an organization of more than 10,000 members, and is dedicated to improving the life and cultural condition for music and its makers. NARAS has chapters or branches in ten cities across the USA, including Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Memphis, Nashville, New York, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Austin, and Miami.
There are three categories of membership: voting members, associate members, and affiliates. Voting members are professionals with technical or creative credits on six commercially released tracks. Associate members are professionals with technical or creative credits on less than six commercially released tracks or other recording industry professionals such as writers, attorneys, publishers, record executive, and artist managers. Affiliates are music students, educators, music therapists, etc.
Regional networking and educational meetings are held at various locations throughout the state. Seminars on recording, singing, producing, and other topics are held regularly, as well as social activities including holiday and Grammy Awards parties. These are great ways to meet fellow members and learn new things.
The NARAS Member Discount program offers discounts at dozens of companies, including musical merchandise, car rental, publications, hotels, cruise lines, advertising, and entertainment.
Members receive GRAMMY Magazine and a newsletter, and can enter eligible releases into the balloting process for the GRAMMY awards. Qualified voting NARAS members will vote on and select the winners.
NARAS also awards grants to non-profit organizations to support advances in music education, research, archiving and preservation and other projects related to recording.
This is just a brief overview of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, all those serious about music industry should join. For more information, contact the national office, (310) 392 3777, 3402 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405.
About the author: Steve Bussey is a singer/songwriter/guitarist and is currently the owner and general manager of GeoSynchronous Records (http://www.pan.com/geosync, Listening Line 800 235 9193, ask for a free catalog), an indie label handling artists such as Les Dudek, Mike Pachelli, Bong Water Taffy, and Big Red & The Bus. Prior to this, Steve earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Electrical Engineering and Acoustics from Georgia Tech, designed sound equipment and guitar amps for Fender, and supervised design of communication systems for the Space Shuttle at Kennedy Space Center.
