Grammy tweaks

GRAMMY TWEAKS: The Recording Academy’s Trustees have approved a number of changes to the Grammy Awards. These include allowing samples or interpolations of previously written songs in all songwriting categories, including Song of the Year; establishing a new category for Best American Roots Performance; changing the name of the Dance/Electronica field to Dance/Electronic Music; and moving Best Traditional Pop Album into the Pop Field. More subtly, the guideline for the Alternative Music field has been opened up to include any recordings that “utilize new technology or new production techniques and contain elements of rock, pop, dance, folk or even classical music styles.” In other words, the field no longer necessarily mirrors the Alternative radio format. Got that? “This year's changes to our awards process are thoughtful, inclusive, and reflective of the current musical landscape, and we look forward to implementing them for the upcoming 57th Annual Grammy Awards,” Neil Portnow intoned. (6/12a)