Grammy Choices

I completely agree with Robert Hilburn on his analysis of the Grammys’ voting strategies (“Pop Votes Follow the Money Yet Again,” Jan. 5). I thought that most of the songs that came out this year were not even worth listening to. Where are Sarah McLachlan, Savage Garden and Shakira?

It’s a shame that these talented artists were ignored for the purpose of nominating entertainers whose names we won’t even remember five years from now. As for the Grammys, don’t expect to get your ratings up because of your nominees--here’s one 17-year-old who won’t tune in.

SUSANA OROZCO

Long Beach

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It is pretty obvious that the people that get to vote will never hear all the albums or songs on the Grammys’ list of 900 albums and 500 single recordings. So when they go through this list and have to vote, they do what anyone in their situation (and ignorance) would do. They vote on the most easily recognizable names.

The people who really care about music know the new and great artists of our time and couldn’t care less what the Grammy Awards say.

STEVEN ADEFF

Troy, N.Y.

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These nominations are a joke! If the Grammys would stop lying to themselves and admit that they nominate the records that sold the most, I might have some respect for them.

Any time that Sheryl Crow (a hillbilly singer) or Madonna (an embarrassing no-talent) can get a “best” nomination over Aretha Franklin, I know something is fixed.

The Grammys prove year after year that they are the same as the American Music Awards. To receive a Grammy these days is like “winning” a People’s Choice Award.

RALPH McKNIGHT

New York

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I couldn’t understand your Grammy obsession this morning--the first 12 pages of Calendar were nearly completely devoted to the nominations for this irrelevant awards show--until I skimmed back to the last page and found out that the show will be held this year at Staples Center.

I listened to Tuesday night’s extensive analysis on KCRW of the Staplegate debacle. For a few hours, I thought you had learned a lesson.

BRUCE RHODEWALT

La Quinta