Jul 22, 2026 12:37 PM
In Memoriam: Rodney Holmes, 1966–2026
Drummer Rodney Holmes, a powerful presence behind the kit who emerged as an in-demand player on the New York scene…
The Recording Academy has named Gene Autry, the Blind Boys Of Alabama, the Four Tops, Hank Jones, Brenda Lee, Dean Martin and Tom Paxton as recipients of its Lifetime Achievement Award.
George Avakian, Elliott Carter, and Allen Toussaint are honored with the Trustees Award. Clarence “Leo” Fender and Universal Audio will receive the Technical GRAMMY Award.
The special ceremony will be held during Grammy Week on Saturday, Feb. 7, and a formal acknowledgment will be made during the 51st Annual Grammy Awards telecast, which will be held at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009.
“This year’s recipients are a prestigious group of legendary performers, creative architects and technical visionaries who have made lasting contributions to the music and global communities,” said Neil Portnow, president/CEO of The Recording Academy. “Their outstanding accomplishments, legendary passion and artistry have positively affected our culture and will continue to influence and inspire generations to come.”
The Lifetime Achievement Award honors lifelong artistic contributions to the recording medium while the Trustees Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the industry in a non-performing capacity. Both awards are determined by vote of The Recording Academy’s National Board of Trustees. Technical GRAMMY Award recipients are determined by vote of The Academy’s Producers & Engineers Wing Advisory Council and Chapter Committees as well as The Academy’s Trustees. The award is presented to individuals and companies who have made contributions of outstanding technical significance to the recording field.
More info: grammy.com
A drummer’s drummer, Rodney Holmes gigged with everyone from Joe Zawinul and Carlos Santana to Steve Kimock and the Brecker Brothers.
Jul 22, 2026 12:37 PM
Drummer Rodney Holmes, a powerful presence behind the kit who emerged as an in-demand player on the New York scene…
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