Fifteen “My GRAMMY® Moment 2008” Semi-Finalists Chosen on YouTube to Perform in Foo Fighters’ Orchestra on 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards Feb. 10 on CBS

Three Finalists Who Will Vie for Featured Performance Slot to Be Announced Feb. 4 on YouTube

The YouTube community has spoken and 15 “My GRAMMY® Moment 2008″ semi-finalists have been chosen to perform on the 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards with four-time GRAMMY winners the Foo Fighters, it was announced today by The Recording Academy®. The talented musicians are guaranteed a spot in the Foo Fighters’ orchestra and will fly to Los Angeles during GRAMMY Week to rehearse and perform with the current five-time GRAMMY-nominated rock band. The three finalists that will vie for a “featured performance” slot in the orchestra will be announced on Feb. 4, 2008, and music fans will have another opportunity to vote on YouTube and via text messaging during the show to pick their favorite musician. Music fans can view the video submissions of the 15 instrumentalists by logging on to YouTube (www.youtube.com/mygrammymoment).

Led Zeppelin’s legendary multi-instrumentalist John Paul Jones will arrange a special orchestral version of the Foo Fighters’ hit single “The Pretender” and will serve as special guest conductor of the Foo Fighters’ orchestra. The segment, presented by Gibson Guitar, will take place outside in the new Nokia Plaza in the L.A. Live complex across from the STAPLES Center. The 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards, to be held on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, is scheduled to be broadcast live on the CBS Television Network at 8 p.m. (ET/PT). “My GRAMMY Moment 2008,” sponsored by Chase, will have content also available across the CBS Audience Network and its more than 200 online partners.

“Hundreds of thousands of music fans are committed to supporting their favorite ‘My GRAMMY Moment 2008′ finalist, and that loyalty is at the core of the fan and music maker relationship,” said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. “Millions will tune in to watch the debut of a very deserving and talented orchestra, chosen by music fans, as they experience the career highlight and musical opportunity of a lifetime.”

Top 15 Semi-Finalists (in alphabetical order)
Luis Alberto (23, username: luisgma), Hattiesburg, Minn. – Violin
Lisa Dondlinger (33, username: LisaGirl2008), Winnetka, Calif. – Violin
Brian Fitzgerald (23, username: brianfitzrock), Coatsville, Penn. – Violin
Christine Wu (31, username: LAstrings), Santa Monica, Calif. – Violin
Tina Guo (22, username: demix500), Sun Valley, Calif. – Cello
Rami Hachache (18, username: totalrocketsauce), Los Angeles – Trumpet
Jennifer Heilig (25, username: jenniebenn), Bonsall, Calif. – Violin
Jeffrey Hughes (25, username: MaestroJeffHughes), Denver – Violin
Tara Klein (27, username: taraklein1027), Cleveland, Ohio – Cello
Michelle Morales (27, username: michellecello), Chicago – Cello
Emily Palen (29, username: Emilypalen), Oakland, Calif. – Violin
Andrew Pearson (18, username: vonditchman), Batavia, Ill. – Violin
Cameron Summers (23, username: casummers), New York – Trumpet
Ann Marie Calhoun (28, username: theboggster), Gordonsville, Va. – Violin
Abigail Wilenksy (21, username: bonsaifir), Nashville – Violin

“We’re always looking for new ways to help musicians get their music heard,” said Michele Flannery, Music Community Manager, YouTube. “It’s been exciting to watch the top 15 instrumentalists rise up on YouTube and have the chance to perform live with one of the biggest bands of today.”

Voting and Performance Information
The 3 finalists will be announced on Feb. 4, 2008. Fan voting for the “featured performer” will take place Feb. 4 through Feb. 10, 2008, at 8 p.m. ET at YouTube (www.youtube.com/mygrammymoment). After that, voting will be open during the first two hours of the live telecast (8–10 p.m. ET) via text messaging provided by VeriSign. The featured instrumentalist will be announced live onstage during the telecast prior to his/her ultimate GRAMMY Moment with the Foo Fighters.
For rules and regulations, submission information, and voting site, log on to www.youtube.com/mygrammymoment.

About The Recording Academy

Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. In its 50th year, The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com.

About CBS Interactive and the CBS Audience Network

CBS Interactive, a division of CBS Corporation, oversees all CBS consumer interactive properties including CBS.com, CBSSports.com, CBSNews.com, CBS Mobile, CBS EyeLab, Last.fm, Wallstrip and the CBS Audience Network. Aiming to be the most widely distributed professional content on the Web, the CBS Audience Network complements the best news, entertainment and sports content with original programming and short-form content and provides an all-embracing opportunity for users to incorporate CBS clips into their profiles, Web sites, blogs, widgets, wikis and community pages. The CBS Audience Network consists of online partners such as AOL, Microsoft, CNET Networks, Comcast, Joost, Bebo, Netvibes, Sling Media and Veoh and social application partners including Automattic, Brightcove, Clearspring, DAVE Networks, Goowy Media, meebo, MeeVee, Musestorm, Ning, RockYou!, Slide, VideoEgg, Voxant and vSocial as well as Web sites from CBS’s 29 owned television, 144 radio, and up to 183 affiliated stations.

About YouTube

YouTube is the world’s most popular online video community allowing millions of people to discover, watch and share originally created videos. YouTube provides a forum for people to connect, inform and inspire others across the globe and acts as a distribution platform for original content creators and advertisers large and small. YouTube, LLC is based in San Bruno, Calif., and is a subsidiary of Google Inc.

Contacts

The Recording Academy
Jaime Sarachit/Barb Dehgan, 310-392-3777
jaime.sarachit {at} grammy(.)com
barbd {at} grammy(.)com
or
CBS
Kate Fisher/Susan J. Marks
212-975-3818 / 323-575-2118
khfisher {at} cbs(.)com
susan.marks {at} tvc.cbs(.)com
or
YouTube
Jennifer Nielsen, 650-827-6169
press {at} youtube(.)com