Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1474752
Fall 2022 – LOCAL695.ORG 19 Ric: "Yes, I am." Edward Nelson: "Is this your first time?" Ric: "No, I've been nervous before." In 2000, the Grammys moved from the Shrine Auditorium to the then-new Staples Center (now Crypto.com Arena) and changed from one performance stage to two. Each Grammys since (except the unusual 2021 version) has featured A and B stages. That first year, Eddie McKarge and I were assigned to the B stage and, with a couple of exceptions, have anchored the B-side ever since. wanted to be an A2. A couple of years later, Linda Ronstadt performed a song from the beautiful album, Canciones de Mi Padre. In those years, amazing voices like Ronstadt, Whitney Houston, and Luther Vandross were regular contributors. Luciano Pavarotti offered "Nessum dorma," accompanied by an orchestra in 1999, the last Grammy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium. The 45th Grammys at Madison Square Garden was filled with challenges, not the least of which was to set up the New York Philharmonic across both stages (on the floor, not on risers), in the middle of the show, so they could play some Bernstein, then make them disappear just as quickly. In 2005, Melissa Ethridge, bald from chemotherapy, sang an amazing tribute to Janis Joplin with Joss Stone. Pull this one up on YouTube. Go ahead. I'll wait. 2012 brought Paul McCartney performing songs from the Abbey Road medley with guest guitarists Dave Grohl, Bruce Springsteen, and Joe Walsh. The 57th Grammys began with AC/DC. The best opening in my tenure. Just a few years ago, Bonnie Raitt gave us the gift of performing "Angel From Montgomery" for John Prine, who would pass away a few weeks after the ceremony. I am so grateful to have been there for each of these special moments and many more. The Grammy shows, like all live award and music shows, can be physically tiring. The length of days and the mileage on cement does take a toll. This year, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, by show day, "my dogs were barking," an idiomatic phrase attributed to Tad Dorgan, a journalist and cartoon- ist whose other slang offerings include "dumbbell" (a stupid person); "for crying out loud" (an exclamation of astonish- ment); "cat's meow" and "cat's pajamas" (as superlatives); "applesauce" (nonsense); "cheaters" (eyeglasses); "skimmer" (a hat); "hard-boiled" (tough and unsentimental); "drugstore cowboys" (loafers or ladies' men); and "as busy as a one- armed paperhanger" (overworked). Personally, to avoid sore feet, I depend on Merino wool socks mostly from Smartwool, and hiking shoes from Oboz or Merrell. It so happens that I do have a friend who grew up to be a cowboy and another who is a retired fireman. Childhood dreams. I learned early in my career to take the path of most resistance. Anyone can do the easy stuff. Take the hard road. Make a place for yourself in some part of this business that makes you happy. Push through a barrier or two. I was nearly thirty years old when I found out that I wanted to be an A2. By then, astronaut was out of the question. To have been present for the iconic performances listed above has been very special. Standing on the Grammy stage and telling Paul McCartney that to hear him play songs from Abbey Road is one of the pleasures of my life, is certainly a moment I'll remember for- ever. But always foremost in my mind are the truly remark- able audio engineers that, for so many years, have made all the long challenging days worthwhile. I'm grateful for each of you and the time we have spent together making a lifetime of memories and lifelong friends. This year, the A-side led by Damon Andres had the more difficult stage. Of course, they did excellent work. I do wish I had a better memory of more of the wonderful Grammy performances I've seen over the years. If only there was some electronic device to provide a reminder… My first was the 29th Grammys in 1987. Paul Simon was one of the performers, I was excited. At that moment, I With Eddie McKarge. The original B-side boy Damon Andres, Stage A lead band A2