New York's Grammy hoopla officially began with eight three-inch Lucite confetti cannons from Zenith Pyrotechnology projecting 24 pounds of confetti to kick off the press conference announcing the nominees of 45th annual National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences awards. The 8:37 AM confetti blast was the cue for media outlets to begin the live feed of recording artists including Avril Lavigne, Nelly and Justin Timberlake reading the nominations.
The floor of Madison Square Garden—which will host the Grammy ceremony on February 23—was packed with journalists, camera crews, friends of the academy and members of the city's Grammy host committee who campaigned to bring the event to New York after a four-year absence. Mayor Michael Bloomberg also gave another rah-rah speech for the city, just a day after he learned the Republican Party chose New York as the host of its 2004 national convention.
Teams of professionals lead by Maureen O'Connor of Rogers & Cowan, Ron Roecker of the academy, and Susie Arons of Radio City Entertainment orchestrated the mega press conference, which reached a worldwide audience and also featured a performance by the Boys Choir of Harlem.
—David Adler
Read our coverage of the press conference announcing the Grammys' return to New York...
The floor of Madison Square Garden—which will host the Grammy ceremony on February 23—was packed with journalists, camera crews, friends of the academy and members of the city's Grammy host committee who campaigned to bring the event to New York after a four-year absence. Mayor Michael Bloomberg also gave another rah-rah speech for the city, just a day after he learned the Republican Party chose New York as the host of its 2004 national convention.
Teams of professionals lead by Maureen O'Connor of Rogers & Cowan, Ron Roecker of the academy, and Susie Arons of Radio City Entertainment orchestrated the mega press conference, which reached a worldwide audience and also featured a performance by the Boys Choir of Harlem.
—David Adler
Read our coverage of the press conference announcing the Grammys' return to New York...

The press conference announcing the Grammy nominations started with a flourish of confetti blowing over a stage at Madison Square Garden.

New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg spoke to journalists and record industry execs at the event.

The Boys Choir of Harlem performed prior to recording artists including Avril Lavigne, Nelly and Justin Timberlake read the nominations.

A buffet with fruit and yogurt offered breakfast to the journalists summoned to the early-morning press conference.