Dumb Rules Eliminate Top Artists/Writers From Oscars

It’s unimaginable how the artists people really want to see and hear have been eliminated from the Academy Awards this year. If a major audience is any part of the show’s goals, then this is a major shot in the foot. As the LA Times puts it,

“The consolation for Elton John, Lady Gaga, Mary J. Blige, Elvis Costello, Willie Nelson, Brad Paisley, Chris Cornell, Zooey Deschanel and other superstar pop, rock and country musicians who got snubbed in the best song Academy Award nominations announced Tuesday is that they’re in pretty stellar company.

With just two songs earning nominations —“Man or Muppet” from “The Muppets” and “Real in Rio” from “Rio” — the list of also-rans includes a bounty of heavyweight performers and songwriters.

via Elton John, Lady Gaga among pop stars snubbed in Oscar best song category – latimes.com.

Sir Elton, Allen & Sting honored at songwriting awards

SIR ELTON JOHN, LILY ALLEN and STING have been honored for their songwriting skills at a glitzy ceremony in London.

Sting was handed an award for scoring more than 10 million plays of his The Police hit Every Breath You Take on U.S. radio, while Allen’s track The Fear was also recognized as a favorite on the airwaves in the U.S.

More via Sir Elton, Allen & Sting honored at songwriting awards.