On Wednesday, February 23, 2000, the U.S. Recording Academy's premiere
recording awards, the Grammies, were presented, and a few toon-related
tunes took home golden statuettes. In the category Best Musical Album For
Children: "The Adventures Of Elmo In Grounchland" beat out "A Bug's Life
Song-Along" and Walt Disney's "Mannhein Steamroller Meet The Mouse." TARZAN
won for Best Soundtrack Album over THE PRINCE OF EGYPT and THE MATRIX.
Beating John Williams' score for THE PHANTOM MENACE, the award for
composers of an original composition written specifically for a motion
picture, television or other visual media went to Randy Newman for his A
BUG'S LIFE score. The Best Short Form Video award went to the special
effects laden video for Korn's "Freak On A Leash" video, directed by
Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris and Todd McFarlane. During the program we
also saw the beginning of the advertising blitz for DreamWorks' THE ROAD TO
EL DORADO, which features songs by Sir Elton John. Using John's award for
lifetime achievement as a tie-in, the studio took full advantage of the
opportunity with multiple commercials and a sponsorship.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
