On February 10th, 2008 The Recording Academy will once again recognize the achievements of its outstanding members by presenting them with the highest honor in the recording industry, the Grammy Award. This year will be even more special as the Grammy celebrates its 50th Anniversary.

The Birth of the Grammy

On May 28 1957 A Group of music industry executives met at the Brown Derby Restaurant in Hollywood California to form a "Record Award Society". They agreed that this new organization would be named the "National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences". About a week later, on June 6th, a press conference was held to introduce this new organization and the Grammy Awards were born.

There would be two chapters of the "Academy"; one in California, and the other in New York City, which was chartered in 1958 under the directorship of President, Guy Lombardo. Some of the earliest members of the "Academy" were; Benny Carter, Rosemary Clooney, Nat "King" Cole, Doris Day, Stan Kenton, Henri Mancini, and Nelson Riddle.

The First Grammy Awards Presentations

May 4th, 1959 the first Grammy Awards dinner was held. There were actually two of them held simultaneously; The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills California, and the Park Sheraton Hotel in New York City. There were 28 categories in which candidates would compete (compared to 110 categories today).

Some of the 1959 Grammy winners were;

Record of the year Domenico Modgugno - "Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu", (better known as "Volare").

Album of the year Henri Mancini - "The Music from Peter Gunn".

Song of the year Domenico Modgugno - "Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu", (better known as "Volare").

Best Vocal Performance - Female Ella Fitzgerald - "Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Irving Berlin Songbook".

Best Vocal Performance - Male Perry Como - "Catch a Falling Star".

Best Performance By a Vocal Group or Chorus Keely Smith & Louis Prima - "That Old Black Magic".

Best Jazz Performance Individual Ella Fitzgerald - "Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Irving Berlin Songbook".

Best Jazz Performance Group Count Basie - "Basie".

Best Country and Western Performance Kingston Trio - "Tom Dooley".

Best Rhythm & Blues Performance Champs - "Tequilla".

The Grammy Trophy All of the Grammy Trophies are hand made and assembled by Billings Artworks in Ridgeway Colorado. The Grammy is assembled in pieces and finished in gold plating. The trophies that are awarded on the telecast are called "stunt" Grammys. John Billings, affectionately known as the "Grammy Dude", keeps all of the actual trophies in his studio until after the winners are announced. The Grammy trophies are then engraved and personally delivered, by John, to the Academy, almost a 2,000 mile round trip. John crafts the trophies himself with the help of his son, "Little John", his brother Don, and a longtime friend, Jim Spear. Although the Grammy represents glitz and glamour, its creator has no interest in sharing in the accolades. Johns' dedication to the Grammy Awards can be summed up in his personal quote; "To be able to do something that honors people is so fulfilling. I don't need the spotlight. This comes from the heart".

Grammy Trivia

Most Grammys in a Lifetime Sir Georg Solti, who conducted the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for 22 years personally won 31 Grammys.

Most Grammy Awards won by a band U2 won a total of 22 Grammys.

Most Grammy Awards for consecutive albums Pat Metheny, and Pat Metheny Group, won 17 Grammys.

Most Grammy Awards for Solo Artist - Male Stevie Wonder has won 28 Grammys. In addition to the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Most Grammy Awards for Solo Artist - Female Alison Krauss has won 20 Grammys.

Most Grammy Awards for Best R&B Vocal Performance- Female Aretha Franklin has won 11 Grammys.

Youngest Grammy Winner LeAnn Rimes was 14 years old when she won for "Best New Artist".

Most Grammys won in one night - Male Michael Jackson - 1984 - was nominated for 11 awards and won 8. Carlos Santana - 2000 - won 8 Grammys.

Most Grammys won in one night - Female All of the following artists tied for this record;

• Lauryn Hill - 1999
• Alicia Keys - 2002
• Norah Jones - 2003
• The Dixie Chicks - 2007

Most Grammy Nominations Quincy Jones - 79 nominations, won 27 Grammys

Most Grammy Nominations with no wins Alan Parsons and Joe Satriani are tied with 13 nominations but no wins.

Artists who have never won a Grammy Award Here's a partial list of artists for which the Grammy has been elusive;

• 50 Cent - sold over 16 million albums
• Lead Zepplin - not even "Stairway to Heaven"
• Diana Ross - 18 number 1 singles but no Grammy
• Backstreet Boys - one of the most successful boy-bands
• Queen - Influenced many a musical career but no Grammy
• Neil Young - A heart of gold, but no Grammy Award
• Bob Marley - The father of reggae
• Janis Joplin - A legend, but no Grammy
• Buddy Holly - Another legend, with no award
• ABBA - Swedish sensation took the world by storm
• Spice Girls - millions in record sales

Other Grammy Notables; Elvis Presley was nominated 14 times. Won 3 Grammys, however all were for Gospel recordings. In 1971 he was given the "Lifetime Achievement Award".

Frank Sinatra won 10 Grammy Awards.

Elton John has won 5 Grammy Awards.

Beatles won 29 Grammy Awards, including individual efforts by each member.

2008 Grammy Nominee Highlights

The full listing of Grammy Nominees can be found at www.grammy.com

• Kanye West leads the Grammy Nominations list this year with 8, followed by Amy Winehouse with 6.
• 50 Cent still looking for the first.
• Neil Young: The Canadian Rock Legend is contending for two awards.
• Daniel Powter: Best Pop Male Vocal Performance - former American Idol Star.

50th Anniversary Grammy Awards telecast; February 10th, 8:00pm EST.