Emmy-Nominated Music Directors Pull Off Live Performances at ‘The Oscars’ and ‘Super Bowl’
variety.comJon Burlingame “Music direction” is the most mysterious of the seven music categories at the Emmys, and eligibility rules have changed over the years.
The current definition is: “arranging and orchestrating, composition, supervising of rehearsals and recordings, and conducting both live and prerecorded material.” Explains Adam Blackstone, who won last year as music director of the Super Bowl Halftime Show: “It’s not just about the music.
My job is also referee, to make sure things go smoothly.” He is a dual nominee this year, for Fox’s Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show starring Rihanna and HBO Max’s 2022 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
For the Rihanna show, he started planning three months before the Feb. 12 event. “I asked her, what is the story you’re trying to convey?” he notes, helping to select the 13 songs that would become a greatest-hits medley running 13 1/2 minutes.
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