This is the fourth year I've been a dues-paying member of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences. Musicians, recording engineers, and producers who have their names listed on a professionally-released recording may apply for membership to the Academy.
Usually people join because they are submitting their own work to be considered for nomination for the Grammys. Artists will usually vote for their own work, and then also vote for anything else that interests them. This means that even Beyoncé, Ariana Grande and Maroon 5 have all gone through the same process that I have. And who knows...maybe they've even voted for my recordings! (Doubtful... haha!)
I have appeared on about 15 or so professionally-released recordings over the years; two of the recordings I have sung on have been officially nominated for a Grammy Award (Seraphic Fire's "Ein Deutsches Requiem" and "A Seraphic Fire Christmas"). Even though I haven't participated in a recording session in almost a year, there are still about three different recordings that are yet to be released some time this year or next year. So, I may be able to vote again next year!
