Since returning from Los Angeles a few days ago, Comma executive producer and artist liaison Bonny Dolan has been gaga over Gaga — and Mick and Justin and Usher and that “Florence girl.” Give Bonny 30 seconds of your time and she will gladly go on and on about all the artists that performed at the 53rd annual Grammy Awards, held Feb 13, 2011, at the Staples Center. Indeed, Bonny was in attendance at the Grammys, sitting mighty pretty in the sixth row. Bonny’s favorite performance of the night? “That’s easy,” she says, “Mick Jagger and Raphael Saadiq.” For Bonny, the live performances by Mumford & Sons and the Avett Brothers also ruled.

Bonny, who is a card-carrying member of the Recording Academy’s Midwest Board of Governors, believes it is important for Comma to be involved with the Academy. “Comma is all things music, and advertising and music are so integrated,” she notes. “We must be at the Grammys each year.”

Two days prior to the Grammy Awards, Bonny attended the 2011 MusiCares Person of the Year tribute to Barbra Streisand. Honoring the iconic artist and philanthropist (that would be Barbra, not Bonny) were Stevie Wonder; Tony Bennett; Faith Hill; Barry Manilow; Matthew Morrison and Lea Michele of “Glee”; actress Kristin Chenoweth and others. After being lavishly honored “in song,” Barbra performed a handful of her own evergreens, including “Happy Days Are Here Again.” Sigh . . .

Bonny was joined at the Grammys by her two children, Ali and AJ. For the record, Bonny is gaga over them, too.

There are some things that not everyone knows about our executive producer in New York. In addition to having a soft spot for all things Lady Gaga (and Bananarama), the former Billboard Brand Marketing Editor continues to keep a watchful eye on that aurally alive intersection where bands and brands merge. Such cultural awareness comes in handy when producing original music for ads. Indeed, Michael’s knowledge of music and advertising is perfectly in sync with Comma’s vision. This is Michael Paoletta in a nutshell:

Hometown: Parma Hts., Ohio (a Cleveland suburb)

Favorite song: “You Got the Love” by The Source Featuring Candi Staton

Favorite band: Florence + the Machine . . . or Robyn . . . or Adele

Favorite album:
A six-way tie:  ”Phoenix” by Labelle, “Court and Spark” by Joni Mitchell, “Dare” by The Human League, “My Life” by Mary J. Blige, “Debut” by Björk, “Rise” by Gabrielle

Best thing you ever ate: Pasta alla Norma (in Sicily)

Something we didn’t know about you: “I manage the estate of abstract painter Rudolf de Crignis, who passed away in 2006 of an inoperable brain tumor — and who was my partner for many glorious years.”

Hidden Talent: “As a former music journalist and Billboard magazine editor, I know a thing or two about stringing words together to form sentences.”

What is your hidden passion: D.I.S.C.O.

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Michael is our New York executive producer and producer liaison between our Santa Monica and Chicago studios. He also proudly wears the hat of Comma music supervisor. In addition, he has been known to moderate a panel or two at music and advertising conferences around the world.

The office has been changed a little bit over the past couple of weeks. By that we mean a lot. We’ve swapped offices and made two new rooms. Composers now have more privacy. The floors have been refinished, so much so that they shine like the top of the Chrysler building or in this case Willis Tower. Nothing says hello to the new year like a little office facelift. Check out the progress.

The 2010 AICP Show, held last night at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, brought together a who’s who of the advertising community. Yes, Comma was very much in attendance. In fact, Comma was voted into the 2010 Show in the Musical Arrangement category for the work we did on Nike’s animated “Dunkin’ on Reindeer” spot, featuring Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, with guest turns by rappers Lupe Fiasco and KRS-One. Comma thanks Wieden +Kennedy for presenting this opportunity to us—and congratulates our very own Justin Hori, who nailed it! Comma would also like to thank MoMA, which includes each year’s Show in its film archives. In this way, the museum helps to bring the Show’s honorees (Comma and others) to the attention of thousands of museum visitors every year.

Nike xmasThe package of spots for Nike’s MVPuppets holiday campaign, featuring LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, reached new heights with the two-minute music video,  “Dunking on Reindeer.”  With beats originally produced by indie hip-hop duo, the Cool Kids, the track was remixed and rearranged by Justin Hori. Max Stinson penned the song’s lyrics, which were then recorded by KRS-One of legendary hip-hop group Boogie Down Productions. In “Dunking,” KRS plays the role of Santa aka Kris Kringle, while young MC, Lupe Fiasco, plays a supporting role as the disgruntled reindeer, Blitzen.
During the recording of “Dunking,”  an idea began percolating: a hip-hop beef, old school style, complete with back-and-forth battle raps between Blitzen and Santa. So, new beats were created by Justin Hori, and Lupe Fiasco delivered a stellar verse, calling out KRS-One. KRS quickly countered with a sharp retaliation verse. Another classic hip-hop beef was entered into the books. In fact, listening to KRS’ Santa dis Fiasco’s Blitzen brings to mind the unforgettable beef between KRS and MC Shan back in 1985.
Immediately after the initial airing and posting of “Dunking on Reindeer” on YouTube, the blogs were abuzz, and the debate over who won ensued. Regardless of who emerges as the victor of the battle, one thing remains clear:  Nike’s MVPuppets spots are adored by fans of hip-hop and puppets alike. “The game is over. The game is over. Bud a bop. Baah.”

Thanks to everyone who attended! Raphael is one of the best performers touring and we’re so glad he was able to take time out of his schedule for us!

http://www.raphaelsaadiq.com

Check out more photos on our Facebook Page

We’re up and running in Santa Monica. Robot-genius Justin Hori is nestled in & composing in his new studio, blocks from the ocean, thousands of miles away from Chicago’s frozen flurries.

Bonny Dolan’s Executive Producing for both locations, though she’s currently in LA with freelancing producer Lisa Kleckner Ansis at her side. Kate Adams keeps the office smooth and stocked with treats while Tommy Romersa (& bulldog pal, Harley) cover client contact in the region.

As an added bonus (!!!) we’ve thrown in Stacy Paris, the young lass running Foundation Content’s west coast operations from our very own Santa Monica space.

Stop by and say hello!

Justin (aka jus one) and DJ SD are special guests on Garth Trinidad’s Chocolate City All Stars channel on Scion Radio 17. Listen to excerpts from the latest edition of the Sexy Beast mixtape series and an interview with the DJs at Scion Radio 17 Tight biscuits! Email Justin for a copy of the mix.