KYW Newsradio Employee Preparing For Annual Trip To The Grammy Awards
By Chelsea Karnash
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Sheryl Crow. Lyle Lovett. Iman. Sting.
These are just a few of the many celebrities KYW Newsradio employee Lyn Finnerty has met in her years attending the Grammy Awards.
"I've gone about seven or eight times over the past 10 years," she says.
Finnerty, who is an account executive at the all-news station, is now gearing up for the 2015 show. She'll fly out Saturday and return Tuesday with her husband, Mark Schulz, who is the executive director of the Philadelphia chapter of the Recording Academy.
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In the past, Finnerty has gone to Los Angeles for the entire week before the show – "Grammy Week" – but these days, she prefers to attend only some.
"I usually go to the 'MusiCares Person of the Year' dinner on Friday night," she says. "MusiCares is an organization that helps musicians in need…so if you're dealing with addiction, or your studio was destroyed by Sandy, that kind of thing."
The event also includes honoring a musician for both their contributions to the world of music and their humanitarian work. This year, Bob Dylan is the honoree. Past picks include Carole King and Paul McCartney.
Then on Sunday, Lyn and her husband will attend the first-half of the Grammys, which is not televised, at the Nokia Center. Afterwards, they'll head to the Staples Center for the main event.
"It's a 12-, 14-hour day," she says. "So you better wear good shoes!"
And of course, there's plenty of edgy, gorgeous and just plain out-there fashion at the Grammy's, which Lyn says is just part of the fun. This year, she plans to wear a long, black Nicole Miller dress she describes as "slinky." She considered renting a gown from Rent the Runway, but ultimately decided to shop local.
There are also the celebrities. Lyn usually sits on the floor level, and oftentimes, that means she's right on the path that many of them walk down to access the stage.
"I've seen Prince, Sting, Nicole Kidman – she's like eight feet tall!" she laughs.
She's also met the drummer from The National ("I completely stalked him," she jokes), and the Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl, who she describes as "one of the nicest" celebs she's spoken to.
"He gave me a hug…I'm a huge, huge fan of the Foo Fighters. I told him my favorite song, and he whispered in my ear that it was his favorite too," she recalls. "Most of the people I've met have been nice, but he really stands out as one of the nicest celebrities in my mind."
So, what's Lyn looking forward to most about his year's Grammys?
"Watching blues legend Buddy Guy receive a Lifetime Achievement Award, the Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett collaboration, Adam Levine performing with Gwen Stefani…and 75 degree sunny weather!" she jokes. "What I love is the unconventional music pairings."
You can watch the Grammy Awards live on CBS3 on Sunday, Feb. 8th at 8 p.m.
