The Grammy Awards

The Grammy Awards were originally called as the Gramophone Awards or "Grammy’s", which are presented annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States for outstanding achievements in the record industry. The awards ceremony features performances by prominent artists, and some of the more prominent Grammy Awards are presented in a widely viewed televised ceremony. The current President of the Academy is Neil Portnow. The Grammy’s are considered the highest music honor, the U.S. record industry's equivalent to the Academy Awards (Oscars) for motion pictures for which citations are needed. Prior to the first live Grammy’s telecast in 1971 on ABC, a series of taped annual specials in the 1960s called The Best on Record were broadcast on NBC. The award show is normally held in February. The 49th Grammy Awards ceremony took place on February 11, 2007 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Nominations for 2008's awards were announced on December 6, 2007, and the 50th Grammy Awards ceremony was held on February 10, again at the Staples Center. As of 2006, the eligibility period for the Grammy Awards begins October 1st. The long-time running animated show The Simpson’s often mocks the Grammy Awards. In the episode "Homer's Barbershop Quartet", Homer Simpson wins a Grammy for "Outstanding Soul, Spoken Word, or Barbershop Album of the Year" with his barbershop quartet, The B Sharps. In Behind the Laughter the Simpson’s also sweep the Grammy Awards for their song "Simpson’s Christmas Boogie".