I Just Learned 4 Guys In A Mountain Workshop Make All The Grammys (And Other Surprising Facts About The Prestigious Award)

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During “Awards season,” people generally discuss honors given for films such as the Golden Globes, BAFTAs, and Oscars. However, not all of the upcoming events are film-related; for instance, the Grammy Awards are happening this weekend. This is a highly esteemed music award, and I found it astonishing to learn about the process of creating a Grammy because it’s nothing like what I would have imagined.

Given the vast number of Grammy awards distributed annually, I initially thought it required a massive production line, on par with the auto industry, to manufacture them all. However, I learned that Grammys are handcrafted by just four individuals in the Colorado mountains, and this isn’t the only intriguing detail about these prestigious accolades.

The Grammys Are Made By Four People

An article published in the Los Angeles Times unveils fascinating insights about the Grammys that I, for one, was unaware of and wouldn’t have suspected. The most astonishing disclosure is that each award is meticulously crafted by John Billings and his team of three artisans at their workshop situated in Ridgway, Colorado. It takes approximately 15 hours to manufacture a single Grammy.

Initially, Bob Graves, who was apprenticed by Billings, created the first Grammy Awards. Upon Graves’ demise, Billings acquired the business and has been managing it since then. Bill Freimuth, a former Senior Vice President of Awards for the Recording Academy, shared insights on why the Grammy Awards continue to be produced in this manner, stating…

It seems we don’t typically opt for the most straightforward solutions. One reason artists value this prize is due to its artisan origins, as it’s crafted by fellow artists by hand. Many believe its value increases because of this unique touch.

There’s definitely a unique appeal to knowing the trophy you’re holding was crafted by an artist by hand, and it’s easy to imagine musicians admire this fact. Of course, this means that no two Grammys are exactly alike, but Billings points out that this very imperfection is what makes it special…

Instead, let’s consider together, ‘Does this possess an imperfection that detracts from it, or does it add to its charm? If it has a flaw, we discard it; otherwise, we hold onto it.’

It’s quite appealing for artists like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé, with numerous Grammy awards, as they might savor the uniqueness of each award since every one is just slightly distinct.

The Grammy Award Increased In Size For Television

The fundamental structure of the Grammy Award has remained the same since its inauguration in 1959, but that doesn’t imply it hasn’t undergone any modifications. In the early 1990s, for instance, the size of the award was increased by roughly 30% due to considerations about television broadcasting.

Initially, viewers found the old Grammy Award hard to spot on TV due to its small size. To resolve this issue, they enlarged it. Additionally, the previous design was quite fragile, with the tone arm often breaking off. To address this, they made the new award more robust and sturdy.

Winner’s Aren’t Given “Real” Grammys On Awards Night

It seems that although the Grammys may appear larger on television, this expansion doesn’t necessarily imply that the items given to the artists on that particular night are the genuine awards. Instead, they use what are known as “stunt Grammys” for the broadcast, and it is only later when the winners receive their actual awards.

Handling the engraving of the awards is done at the workshop itself, which distinguishes this award ceremony from others. Unlike other awards, the actual Oscars presented during the show are genuine, and the winners have their Oscars personally engraved at the afterparty.

Taylor Swift Accidently Destroyed One Of Her Grammys

Taylor Swift has amassed 14 Grammy Awards throughout her career, and there’s a possibility she could win even more this upcoming year. Fingers crossed, if she manages to secure a few, she might handle them more successfully than she did in 2010. In that particular year, she won four awards but accidentally dropped one and shattered it into fragments. The fragmented award now belongs to Billings, along with a note from Swift that simply read “Oops.” Perhaps this is the reason they don’t actually distribute the actual awards on the show.

At the 2025 Grammys, anticipation is high for a thrilling competition! Notably, Beyoncé will be vying in various country music nominations. However, she faces formidable rivals in the broader categories, including Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, and Chappell Roan.

Be sure to watch out for what awards the competition receives during the Grammy Awards broadcast this coming Sunday, 8 p.m. ET, on CBS. Keep an eye on the trophies they’ll be taking home!

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2025-02-02 00:37