Ken Ehrlich will continue to executive produce the Grammys through 2017, the Recording Academy said on Tuesday.
This coming February, the music and television producer celebrates his 35th year behind Music’s Biggest Night, when Ehrlich executive produces and writes the 57th annual Grammy Awards. His production company, AEG Ehrlich Ventures, will handle the 58th and 59th annual Grammys as well under the extended agreement.
That partnership between he and AEG — the Los Angeles-based entertainment sports and venue management company — is also producing the upcoming one-hour entertainment special “A Very Grammy Christmas.”
In addition to his long-standing Grammy tenure, Ehrlich created the MTV Movie Awards and has worked on six Emmy Awards, the MTV European Music Awards and the Latin Grammys, among others. He also has produced dozens of artist specials for broadcast and cable networks.
Ehrlich began producing the Grammys in 1980, when the executive producer was Pierre Cossette.
“Ken’s vast knowledge and genuine love of music, as well as his expertise and vision, have made him an outstanding producer — and ultimately the executive producer — of the Grammy Awards for 35 years now,” said Neil Portnow, president/chief executive officer of The Recording Academy. “As one of the key architects of our signature ‘Grammy Moments,’ he continues to elevate the content, quality, and production value of our annual telecast. We couldn’t be more pleased to continue our long-standing partnership and, more importantly, I am proud to call him my good friend.”
“I consider it an honor to have been associated with the Grammy Awards and CBS for so many years, and to be able to continue this relationship over the next three years,” said Ehrlich. “I am proud of the standard of excellence that the Grammys have maintained over the years, and particularly proud of the audience successes and critical acclaim the show has garnered in the years since Neil Portnow, Leslie Moonves, Nina Tassler, Jack Sussman and I have become partners in presenting Music’s Biggest Night.”
“For over three decades, as the conductor of Music’s Biggest Night, Ken has exceeded expectations and manages to create bigger and better event television each passing year,” said Jack Sussman, executive vice president, Specials, Music and Live Events, CBS Entertainment. “He is, without a doubt, the hardest working man in show business and his passion for music and artists is reflected in his work. All of us at CBS value our partnership with Ken immensely, and we consider it a true privilege to work with him.”
The 57th annual Grammy Awards will take place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015, and broadcast on CBS at 8 p.m. ET/PT.