Recording Academy - Official Jody Watley Website

I’m proud to be a GRAMMYAdvocacy #DistrictAdvocate!

Today I join the other Recording Academy members and advocates to urge Members of Congress to take action on key #COVID19 priorities for our music community––access to small biz loans and unemployment benefits for the music community and underserved communities.

Nearly 2,000 members of the Recording Academy are meeting with members of Congress for District Advocate day, the largest grassroots advocacy movement for music.

You can also join the movement and help make a difference.

Legislators are still negotiating the next COVID-19 relief package, and we have to ensure they include critical relief for the music community. We are trying to help make a difference for all music creators and those who work in the industry and are self employed.

Since winning the Best New Artist Grammy in 1988, I remain a voting member (all artists should be involved), have been a part of the GrammyU program serving on the Recording Academy Board of Governors serving on the Los Angeles Chapter for a few years in early 2000’s. Being a part of the academy from that perspective gave me greater understanding of how the process works. I was nominated and put on the ballot initially by a respected music writer and voted in. Later running for LA Chapter President against MC Lyte – Lyte won the vote and was terrific. This took me back to running for Class President in junior high only with less stress, I didn’t win that either, but it was great for my confidence no matter the outcome and as always – you never know unless you try and put yourself out there. It’s the journey!

Invited to return as a presenter (presented Toni Braxton Best New Artist Award in 1993) was cool as well as being a part of the Grammy Award Nominees Announcements that same year with country music star Clint Black. Awards shows are very different now so it’s nice to reflect for a second on this part of my continued journey as an artist and music peer.