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Normally, I don’t do music. (As I often say, I have enough trouble dealing with the scoundrels in Hollywood that I can’t possible take on the crooks in the recording biz as well.) That said, I was leaked the following memo which may be of interest to many of you, especially after the recent death of Pierre Cossette. (I’ve edited out some IDs):
From: Tisha Fein
Sent: Wednesday, September 23, 2009 10:57 AM
Subject: Re: (no subject)Here is the letter that went out. The responses have been amazing. Basically saying no one can imagine the Grammys without me:
Dear _________
I am writing to all of you to let you know that Ken Ehrlich informed me that after 30 years in my position as Talent & Coordinating Producer of The Grammy Awards, he wants to make a change and has personal issues working with me. He said it has nothing whatsoever to do with the “quality of my work”on the show. It is totally his decision, but told me he’s gone to Neil Portnow and Jack Sussman to enlist their support.
I have treasured working with all of you and have given my “heart and soul” to the artists appearing on the Grammys. I fought hard to keep a level playing field and give as many artists a chance as I was allowed…
Ken also told me the other reason he wanted me gone, is that he feels I take the artists side over Production. I do care deeply about how artists are treated, and also feel I also know what is best for the show, am collaborative with Production and try to strike a fair balance. I always strive to make the Grammys a great and rewarding experience for everyone who participates: Artists, Labels, Managers, Agents, and Publicists, bands and crew. All have an important role in the success of the show, and that should be acknowledged and often isn’t.
I honestly feel I am the best for the job and have earned all of your love and respect over the many years I have done the Grammys,
I have treasured working with all of you and look forward to doing so on all my upcoming shows.
Love & Appreciation,
Tisha Fein
Editor-in-Chief Nikki Finke - tip her here.
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YIKES! I know both Tisha and Ken as being almost rabid in protecting the image and presentation of the acts on the Grammys and the other countless broadcasts that we have done together over the years. It is not correct to indicate otherwise. I am bewildered by the speed and complexity of the change that is occurring in the entertainment industries, but change is happening. As that happens I would hope that we all keep and even and civil discussion about our professional and personal relationships. Blog postings do not feel like the correct venue for that conversation.
It’s obvious that the haters with agendas against Ken are out there and not holding back. Folks, this is a family bust up and it happens. I know both Ken and Tisha and it’s a shame this had to happen, but I have to give credit to Ken for standing above it and not responding to Tisha’s version of this event or some of the questionable one sided posted responses. Like a good producer, Ken has always known that it’s the artists who make the show and I’ve seen him time and time again work on thier behalf under the most difficult circumstances to come up with the unique performances we see on the show. If he chose to end Tisha’s relationship with the show, I’m sure there were good reasons and in the end, it’s nobody’s business but the two of them. Let’s stop this and let them both move on. And for god’s sake,enough witht he personal attacks. They make us all look smaller.
I’m sorry Big G but 90% of this business IS PERSONAL.
Certain networks love particular producers and directors and others won’t give them the time of day. Ehrlich has an iron clad relationship with Sussman at CBS…other producers may hate that but it’s a fact of life and in truth, Ehrlich doesn’t have many other places to go (as AEG have found out to their cost!).
Some people are indispensable to a show, but not many. Simon Cowell/American Idol, Alex Trebeck/Jeopardy, Lorne Michaels/SNL probably,but the Oscar change producers every year and do fine, maybe the Grammys should too. They will live or die without Ehrlich or Tisha…. Yes this is a blow to her pride but she is doing fine and should lay low and let everyone see how they (Erlich/Grammys) do without her.
For those of you that have worked with either of them.. then you know what’s up. Tisha is a handful, Ken is creative. You can’t base a relationship or judge anyone from a one sided letter. The show is cleaning itself up. This letter that was written is classless…. plus why would you do something like this is you wanted to get your job back….. “sure let’s hire the wacko back??”??
Mr.Miller the director, for some of you that don’t know, retired with class. Tisha should have too.!
I have worked with this professional and found her patience and support beneficial for the entertainers performing; the show overall. Appreciate that ‘old school’ can entertain in a monsoon of infantile celebrities who appear to sing and perform (and Milli Vanilli had to return their Grammies?) with technological enhancements; inclusives of speedy cut visuals. We’re not talking about the Uber talented dancing abilities of Rogers & Astaire here; not the point today, mores the pity.
Simply our industry cannot keep throwing the baby out with the bathwater, as it could be argued here with Tisha; there is a culture of artistic intelligence, sensitivities; be it administrative, otherwise that gets jettisoned.
If so, perhaps laterally Tisha can find a working heaven in areas of the industry that are currently moribund. Clearly there is a demand for Classic artists or those in the midseason of their careers. The Hall of Fame pioneers are underserved in TV entertainment Produced for them and poorly marketed, it could be argued. Tisha is the bomb!
Mr Ehrlich is a veteran and closely aligned with RIAA. That’s a problem in that they can’t even run their own businesses at present and if so it’s into the ground. Digital Piracy, my posterior’s wrinkle. They haven’t invested in new talent to the degree they did ‘back in the day’ and if so such creative determinations are made by non mavins who as example provide Paris Hilton with a record deal. Clive is and has been a genius in an era of geniuses. Post including Motolla /Payola period– give me a large break.
Mr. Ehrlich has had his run in Producing (sometimes Writing for) Grammy Awards in the 80’s and let’s not forget his Emmy Nomination in the Outstanding Children’s Program category for ‘Grandpa, Will You Run With Me? He does have some form … even when it’s by the numbers or questionable.
But as has been scribed, this is just a power play. Facts are fact, Tisha has done a wonderful job, if the wheel ain’t broke, why fix it. Regrettably the Industry crashed and broke the wheel and their solution like dealing with digital downloads and the new Music /Entertainment paradigm is to junk those who professionally help, encourage and engage with creative talent.
Just get it over with – re title it the RIAA Awards, so we all know where we stand and who’s pulling the strings.
I’m going to have to agree with Neil’s comment above…I’ve worked off and on with Ken for well over a decade and he is nothing if not extremely loyal. What’s more, he maintains a nice family atmosphere in his office–something I think we’d all agree is pretty rare in this business. The bottom line is that the reason that Ken’s done so well for the Grammys all these years is that he really loves music and he wants nothing more than to put on a great and entertaining show. I feel bad for Tisha, too, by the way, but I’m not that worried about her…she is a very resilient lady and will most certainly bounce back. It’s just too bad that, like everything else in today’s Hollywood, this too has gotten the tabloid treatment.
I have known Ken Ehrlich since the 1980’s. While I have not seen him recently, I can tell you this: he is one of the classiest individuals I have ever had the pleasure of knowing, and I have tremendous respect for him. As others have mentioned, he is very loyal to his staff, as they are to him, as evidenced by the fact that he has kept most of his team intact for decades. For him to fire Tisha must have been very difficult for him, and I would bet a large sum of money that it was done with justifiable cause.
I have never met a successful TV producer who did not make some enemies along the way – it’s impossible to please everyone. Obviously a couple of those people posted here, and while everyone is entitled to their opinion, I think airing such sentiments here is completely lacking in class, as was leaking Tisha’s letter.
For those who have implied that he may be out of touch, Ken is also one of the most knowledgeable and creative people in the music business, and you would be hard-pressed to find any serious person who thinks otherwise. I have never met anyone with a greater and broader knowledge of music, past and present. While I’ve never been a fan of the actual awards given at the Grammys, Ken and his team put on an incredible show. Many of the memorable moments in music on TV I’ve seen have been on the Grammys – Beyonce & Prince, Bruce Springsteen/Dave Grohl/Elvis Costello/Little Steven performing “London Calling” – the list goes on. Ken has produced dozens of other TV specials, and most of them came from his imagination, including my favorite, the MTV Movie Awards (which he created). No one I know of has a better track record at producing live music events, and while he has indeed had occasional misfires, it was usually due to him taking a chance on something new, and for that, I give him props.
Don’t believe the haters – Ken Ehrlich is one of the good guys.
I’ve worked with Tisha on dozens of productions over the years and can attest that she knows her job inside and out. Those who don’t really know her may make character assessments based on her being extremely nice and admittedly seemingly a bit loopy at times. But I assure you, Tisha is smart as a whip – I’ve seen major catastrophes developing and everyone in the production office is freaking out – EXCEPT for Tisha, who with her amazing memory of everyone who’s anyone’s phone numbers start working things out while everyone else is still in panic mode. People will mistake her hearing impairment for being dizzy, and out of nowhere she’ll come at you with the most astute observations about what’s going on. And yes, she has helped countless people in this industry establish their own careers, often to be stabbed in the back by the same ones she helped but she continues to guide careers.
Granted, being nice and helpful isn’t enough – one has to be sharp, current, and have fresh ideas. Tisha has all of these. Not so much Ken Ehrlich. How many times are we going to see the same old tired ideas rehashed over and over and over again. He always wants to pair artists up for a performance and it was a cute idea 20 years ago but how many more Stevie Wonder/Jonas Brothers fiascos are we going to have to endure?
Truthfully, the award show format is so old and stale and no one seems to know what to do. I hope NARAS and CBS/Jack Sussman get their heads out of the sand and figure out that its not working anymore. Why haven’t they modernized this show in 30 years? Where’s the interactive element? Why not have a big old 4 hour show with bluegrass, orchestras and blah blah blah but only televise 2 hours of what the viewing public really wants to see – the hottest acts from the top of the charts.
NARAS/John C/Ken E need to figure out why people would rather view amateur acts (American Idol, America’s Got Talent) than watch the best professional artists working today, and tap into that mindset without trashing the prestige of the Grammys. And when they do, they need to call Tisha to book it.
AND ANOTHER THING: I think the timing of this firing just show the real character of Ken Ehrlich – he fires Tisha just after Pierre Cossette dies? How CLASSLESS. Knowing John Cossette will not be in the frame of mind to deal with this. My condolences to Pierre’s family, and I hope when John is feeling ready to get back to work he deals with this with the gentleman behaviour he and his late father have always displayed
To AVO….
God you ramble…. fyi.. Tisha was fired like weeks before this letter posted. NO ONE knows the real story….Tisha barely hears half of what you say..Producers can do what they want….its called being in charge….You are a great Brown noser!
As an artist rep, I’ve worked with Tisha and Ken for years. It’s not hard to like Tisha. Want to add a few names to your backstage list? “No Problem”. A few extra parking passes? “Sure”. It’s Ken who’s got the tough job. He’s continually challenging us and our acts to push the envelope, to stretch, and collaboratively come up with performances that soar on the shows he produces.It’s not always easy. But I can tell you that almost inevitably at the end of the process we’re all grateful to Ken for his passion and for his commitment to our artists’ success. And that’s why, for my money, he may be the most creative producer of music on television. At the beginning of this email, I said that’s hard not to like Tisha. After this recent classless display, frankly, it’s getting easier.
FYI… Tisha was let go weeks beofre this letter surfaced. Not after Pierre’s death. Again… you all don;t know the real story
Tisha is a goddess!
Who delivered Amy Winehouse via satellite in a Grammmy cliff hanger? Who delivered Sir Paul McCartney in his first appearance ever on the Grammys? For 30 years she delivered every A List artist on the same stage on the same night with the precision of Patton. The Grammys wasn’t just a gig to Tisha, it was her family and she gave it her all.
Shame on you who use the cowardice of anonymity here.
To those of you who don’t know just who Tisha Fein is, I beg your indulgence, she seems to be up 231% on imdb http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0270658/
The fact that Tisha was ‘released’ the week after Pierre Cossette passed, somehow make Dr Hunter S Thompson’s words more prescient….
“The music business is uglier than most things. It is normally perceived as some kind of cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free and good men die like dogs, for no good reason. There is also a negative side.”
Tisha is the rare combination of wickedly funny, creative, optimistic, smart and always accommodating. In the decades that I have known her she has never uttered a negative word about anyone. The fact that Ken could throw such a wonderful, dedicated and talented person under the bus, is very sad and speaks volumes about sexism and ageism. Tisha is genuine in an industry where honesty is undervalued and loyalty is a rare trait. Ken will never acknowledge or appreciate Tisha the way us publicists do – she is simply the best at her job and a wonderful, kind and supportive friend.
Ken, Ken, Ken!!!
Well i guess this is better than buying a sports car or finding a college age girlfriend… if kicking her out makes you feel a bit more secure than good for you!
Lets all call a meeting in our offices and huddle together on who we too might be able to humilate, strip away their income and then we shall all have a good week- just after the Holidays!!
yeah Hollywood, way to give into the bad behavoir—
Who is next
Bottom line on this one — the Grammy’s ultimately say yes or no to big moves like this. Easy to target Erlich who it is rumored has been trying to politic his way into more control for year.
But regardless, NARAS, Ken, Sussman all could have had a little class on this and offered a succession plan. Of course Ken is known to stimulate a meeting with top artists for dinner to pitch a show and then leave the table and them with the check.
Some day all of these same folks will get outsted and understand what it means. It takes more courage to be compassionate and professional then it does to give the AX to someone who’s obviously brought something strong to the table for nearly 30 years. Business is business, but it’s sad Naras couldn’t have directed this situation a little better.
Good luck to them all.
I’m getting tired of all the Ken bashing. I know both of these people and neither of them are all good or all bad. Ken has brought more to the presentation of music on television than pretty much any other producer, and Tisha was a valued partner of his on this and other shows they did together for a long time. It’s obvious that this partnership went sour and from what I’ve heard Ken tried to let Tisha down in a humane way, which may be impossible under the circumstances. That she chose to lash out in the way that she did reflects more on her than it does on Ken’s move, and to dig up a lot of scurrilous crap about either of them does a disservice to both. Let this end and let the two of them move on without any further mud.
Their collective history is pretty remarkable, and for my money, they’ll both continue to make beautiful music, but separately.
Extracts from “At The Grammys!: Behind The Scenes Of Music’s Biggest Night” by Ken Ehrlich. (Published 2002 – Hal Leonard)
“The fourth longest-lived member of our team is talent executive Tisha Fein. What makes Tisha truly unique, in addition to an indefatigable capacity to come back from being turned down by one act after another, is her genuine lack of fear of criticism in coming up with a palette of ideas that range from perfect to ridiculous. I love her for it, and even though at times I don’t demonstrate it, I know she’ll never change. Over the years on show after show, the Grammys and many others, Tisha has been my partner in taking a good show and making it great.” (Page 82)
“‘A Blues Session: B.B. King and Friends’ (1987) was one of the rewarding and best-remembered shows of my career. Imagine, if you will, the rehearsal the day before the show and a room filled with the likes of Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert Knight, Gladys King, Chaka Khan, Etta King and Doctor John – all there to pay homage to and more to play with, and for, B.B. King. Much of the credit for this show goes to Tisha, who once again came through with the bookings that helped make the show soar.” (Page 68/69)
I came across this today (very late), so my comment will probably linger in cyberspace, unread. Still, I think Erlich should have been replaced some time ago. I felt the same about Cossette, whose productions had become annual disasters. Now, of course, there is not much to work with as far as music goes, but the Grammy Awards show in and of itself is a blight on the industry. With Cossette’s death, I thought we might see an improvement this year, but it only deteriorated further.
I have two Grammys that I cannot take pride in, which is why I stopped renewing my NARAS membership some 30 years ago.
I don’t know Tisha Fein, but someone else should have written that letter, imho.
We’ve worked with Tisha Fein, known her for years, and the word I think of is commitment. Loyalty is a given. I hope Mr. Ehrlich will find replacements with half of her focus. ‘A great show’ is not her job. Booking, handling narcissistic stars–that’s her job, that’s a feat!…She knows everyone and everything about the field. When they hire the ‘up-’n-coming’ it takes years for them to even have an inkling “whazit’s” all about. I know and training is sooo expensive.
melfee