by Ann Donahue, L.A, |
February 13, 2009 10:28 EST
Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel says he will not be performing at the Feb. 22 Academy Award telecast in support of his best song nominee "Down To Earth," from the film "Wall-E."
In a video posted on PeterGabriel.com, Gabriel says that Oscar producers told him the three nominated songs will be performed as part of a medley, giving "Down To Earth" about 60-65 seconds of total air time. Gabriel says he doesn't believe it's enough time to showcase the song -- and while he'll still attend the ceremony and he's hoping the Soweto Gospel Choir will perform the snippet of the song in his stead -- he won't play it himself.
"I think it's a bit unfortunate because while songwriting is a small part of the filmmaking process, we still work bloody hard and deserve a place in the ceremony as well," he says.
A representative with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences declined to comment on the matter, saying that no announcements have been made, to date, as to who will or will not perform at the ceremony.
The other nominated songs are A.R. Rahman and M.I.A.'s "O Saya" and Rahman's "Jai Ho" from "Slumdog Millionaire."
At the Feb. 8 Grammys, Gabriel and composer Thomas Newman won for best song written for motion picture, television or other visual media for "Down To Earth" and best instrumental arrangement for "Define Dancing," another track from the film.
In a video posted on PeterGabriel.com, Gabriel says that Oscar producers told him the three nominated songs will be performed as part of a medley, giving "Down To Earth" about 60-65 seconds of total air time. Gabriel says he doesn't believe it's enough time to showcase the song -- and while he'll still attend the ceremony and he's hoping the Soweto Gospel Choir will perform the snippet of the song in his stead -- he won't play it himself.
"I think it's a bit unfortunate because while songwriting is a small part of the filmmaking process, we still work bloody hard and deserve a place in the ceremony as well," he says.
A representative with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences declined to comment on the matter, saying that no announcements have been made, to date, as to who will or will not perform at the ceremony.
The other nominated songs are A.R. Rahman and M.I.A.'s "O Saya" and Rahman's "Jai Ho" from "Slumdog Millionaire."
At the Feb. 8 Grammys, Gabriel and composer Thomas Newman won for best song written for motion picture, television or other visual media for "Down To Earth" and best instrumental arrangement for "Define Dancing," another track from the film.
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