Enniscorthy Guardian

MIXING WITH THE STARS!

EXTREME RHYTHM FOUNDER WAS RUBBING SHOULDERS WITH MUSIC ELITE AT THE GRAMMY AWARDS LAST WEEK

- By MARIA PEPPER

EXTREME Rhythm founder Nick Bailey is back from California where he rubbed shoulders with world music stars at the 59th Grammy Awards in the Staples Centre in Los Angeles.

Nick’s album ‘Saturn’s Shadow’ made it to the official ballot for three potential Grammy nomination­s and while it didn’t reach the final list, the producer himself was invited by the Recording Academy to attend the high-security awards ceremony which was broadcast live by the CBS television network.

‘It was a blast,’ he declared after spending five days in Los Angeles. ‘ The Staples Center is a gigantic place. I’ve played in big arenas in the past but this was huge.’

‘It was absolutely astounding to be in such illustriou­s company and to be treated as an equal among all the greats’, said Nick who attended various networking events during the visit.

Among the stars at what is billed as ‘music’s biggest night’ which honours the best recordings, compositio­ns and artists, were the likes of Adele, Beyonce, Lukas Graham, Rihanna, Bruno Mars, Katie Perry, Alicia Keys, Lady Ga Ga, Justin Bieber, Sia, Drake and Willie Nelson.

‘I made some really good connection­s that should open a few doors,’ said Nick whose album was shorlisted in the Record of the Year category for the track Leyanda as well as Best Contempora­ry Instrument­al Album and Best Arrangemen­t Musical for the track ‘Enter the Dragon’.

‘You have to get invited to the networking parties and I was lucky, I did well in that I was invited to quite a few things.’

The Wexford percussion­ist said he is already getting work as a result of appearing on the Grammys shortlist and a fortnight before the awards ceremony he was in Austria rehearsing with a Grammy-winning musician.

And he still has his sights set on a Grammy award of his own. ‘ That’s a mission, to win a Grammy. I’m going to win one,’ he vowed.

‘I’m trying to get it into my head that I was at music’s biggest night and there I was, from High Street, walking the red carpet. It was crazy. And all just through music, through sitting down and trying to make the best album I could make.’

‘I met some very influentia­l people out there and I’ve had a lot of offers of work. It’s a big game changer. I now have to take some time out to consider my options. That’s the best result possible. I feel very blessed.’

‘ The experience was mind-blowing. I’ll be back there soon. I’ve already had approaches from people in the music business. Good things should come from this,’ he said.

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 ??  ?? Above: Nicky Bailey at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles; LEFT: the Extreme Rhythm album Saturns’ Shadow.
Above: Nicky Bailey at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles; LEFT: the Extreme Rhythm album Saturns’ Shadow.

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