With the Grammy’s telecast, one of the most watched music programs in the world, The Recording Academy has the platform to talk about issues that matter to the music community. “That gives us incredible power, leverage, and attention that we use to better the lives of musicians and the cultural climate for music around the world.”
In addition, the Recording Academy has two charities, both of which Portnow is the president and CEO: MusiCares Foundation, which helps artists in times of need; and the Grammy Foundation, which is rooted in understanding, appreciation, and advancement of recorded music, with an emphasis on the preservation of music history. This emphasis is actualized through the Grammy Museum in downtown Los Angeles in the L.A. Live Complex, which opened last year.
With a résumé clearly bulging at the seams, Portnow says that “just the management of all of that easily fills my time.” It’s not just a job for Portnow; it’s a passion and respect for those in the musical community that dedicate their lives to striving for musical perfection and notoriety. If being one of the busiest men in California means that Portnow is able to serve these individuals to the best of his ability, then he has served his purpose, and unequivocally looks forward to continuing to do so.
