Thanksgiving music specials tune in attention on primetime TV

(AFP/ALESSANDRO ABBONIZIO)

US television network ABC announced two holiday shows this season that will include back-to-back one-hour music specials with pop diva Beyoncé and Sir Paul McCartney on Thanksgiving night, November 26, taking advantage of viewers at home, while the Grammy nominations turn into a yv event.

McCartney and Beyoncé performances
Beyoncé's show will feature her concert at Las Vegas this summer, which will be released on DVD and CD on November 23, I am...Yours, an Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas on Music World Music/Columbia Records.

The singer will be followed by McCartney with highlights from his July show at Citi Field in New York City, next to the old Shea Stadium where he played with The Beatles in 1965. Footage from that Beatles show will be interspersed with current interviews.

McCartney also has an upcoming album and video releases featuring live concert material, Good Evening New York City, a 2-CD set from the summer performance at Citi Field, which includes a DVD on November 17 from Hear Music/Concord.

The Grammy Nominations Concert Live

An early morning press conference announcement of the Grammy nominations apparently lacks sufficient luster to attract viewers during the holiday season. In a reprise of last year's inaugural event, the Grammy Award contenders will perform in a live show on CBS television, December 2.

The Recording Academy will air the hour-long special, T he Grammy Nominations Concert Live, revealing top nominees from the Club Nokia show in downtown Los Angeles.

So far, confirmed artists performing this year include hip-hop act Black Eyed Peas, soul singer Maxwell, and pop country band Sugarland. LL Cool J will reprise his role as host.

CBS will broadcast the 52nd annual Grammy Awards two months later from Staples Center on January, 31, 2010.

RC