THE TASK FORCE
AT HAND

Sources say that the Recording Academy will issue an announcement about its task force this week. Will any members of the two infamous letter-writing teams be invited to participate?

The Academy dropped the news on 3/7 that lawyer Tina Tchen, former Chief of Staff for Michelle Obama, would head the task force; no word has come as to who will make up the 15-20 members promised in her announcement, or its actual agenda.

Insiders say that while Tchen’s involvement in diversity issues, particularly as regards empowering women, are relevant to the Academy’s goal of greater inclusivity, her lack of experience in the music business raises other questions.

What can she do to fix the Grammys, the state of which threatens the Academy’s relationship with its biggest stars? Can she and the task force drill down to diagnose and attack the problems associated with the nomination process and award presentation?

Stay tuned for updates.