Grammy Special Merit recipients

GABBA GABBA HEY : The Recording Academy announced its Special Merit Awards recipients today, and the chosen ones are… Julie Andrews, Roy Haynes, the Juilliard String Quartet, The Kingston Trio, Dolly Parton, The Ramones and George Beverly Shea as Lifetime Achievement Award honorees; Al Bell, Wilma Cozart Fine and Bruce Lundvall as Trustees Award honorees; and Roger Linn and Waves Audio as Technical Grammy honorees. Said Neil Portnow: “It is a great honor to recognize and celebrate such a distinguished and dynamic group of honorees who have been the creators of such timeless art. These influential performers and brilliant innovators have been of great inspiration to our culture and industry. Their legendary work has left a lasting impression and will continue to influence generations to come." The invitation-only ceremony will be held on Saturday, Feb. 12, the day before the Grammy Awards. (12/23a)