Backstage at The Grammys from our friends across the pond…
Our fellow Shure-ite Ryan, who looks after the AR at Shure in the US, was lucky enough to go to The Grammys and this is his story…….
“This year’s show featured a diverse line up of legendary as well as up and coming artists. The same holds true for microphones. As usual, many Shure products were requested and put into action; from top of the show featuring a star-studded line up of 5 tremendous female singers, to one of the last segments featuring Mick Jaggers’ first performance on the Grammy’s.
The show’s opening, a tribute to Legendary Aretha Franklin featured Shure endorsers Yolanda Adams signing on a UR2/KSM9 wireless and Martina McBride on a UR2/SM58. R & B artist Jennifer Hudson also used a UR2/SM58. The same 58 wireless handhelds were later used on the upbeat Cee Lo Green segment featuring Gwyneth Paltrow and the Muppets. Finally, the Legendary Mick Jagger used it for his segment with the Raphael Saadiq band to cover “Everybody Needs Somebody.” Mick also used Shure’s PSM 900 ear monitor system and the horn section for Raphael Saadiq used the versatile KSM32.
Other Shure products that made their way onto the Grammy stage included the KSM313 ribbon mic on numerous guitar amps, the Beta 56A on hi-toms, and the Beta 91 in certain kick drums. There were also several appearances by the SM57 on snare and the occasional SM58 as vocal mics, like on the last number with Arcade Fire.
As always, it’s a pleasure to hang backstage and see all the same crew members behind the scenes making it all happen. It’s amazing to watch how everything comes on and off stage so quickly and organized. The crew has been doing this for so many years that if problems arise, they are quickly solved. Our hats go off to all of the stage hands, wireless coordinators, A2’s, engineers and production staff that spend countless hours making the show the best that it can be.
I also made time to catch a few endorsers backstage like Julianne Hough and Yolanda Adams, who both have so much going on. Julianne is working on a few new movies while Yolanda is busy with touring and her popular radio show.
Before the broadcast, I went over to the convention center to catch the pre-telecast awards presentation. While walking around the ballroom, I happened to run into Endorsers Dave Mustaine of Megadeth, Darrin Vincent and Jamie Dailey of Dailey and Vincent, and Israel Houghton…all within 5 minutes of each other. After those encounters, I continued to watch 4 endorsers pick up Grammy’s: Diamond Rio, Switchfoot, Kirk Whalum, and Israel Houghton! Congrats to all of them!!
Other endorsers who won Grammy awards this year included Herbie Hancock, Patty Loveless, The Black Keys, and Buddy Guy. Congratulations to all the nominees and winners!”
Ryan
…….thanks Ryan…….and yes we’re all very jealous…… 
