For Immediate Release
Thursday, February 8, 2007

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Ed Barks
(540) 955-0600
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Who Wins Best Grammy Acceptance Speech?

Will the 2007 Grammy acceptance speeches be riveting, appalling or simply mundane? “If tradition holds, we can expect the good, the bad, and the ugly from this year’s crop of Grammy winners,” says public speaking expert Ed Barks.

Viewers will be able to tell which recipients have worked to sharpen their communications edge and which take a cavalier—or outright lazy—approach. “Talented singers and musicians don’t always make good public speakers,” Barks notes. “It’s like learning to sing or play an instrument at a high level. Solid presentation skills demand a lifetime of lessons and a rigorous devotion to practice.

“This applies even if you receive an honor not quite as prestigious as a Grammy,” he continued. “Your award may come from a local civic organization or your child’s school. No matter how minor it may seem in the grand scheme of things, it is a big deal to you. As Grammy winner Aretha Franklin would say, treat it with some R-E-S-P-E-C-T.”

As for this year’s Grammy recipients, “If the music starts to swell as they ramble on about their mother, their agent, and God, the best advice I can give to avoid embarrassment is to take the hint and wrap it up—right away!” Barks recommends. “And let’s hope we are spared what seems to be an annual overdose of self-righteousness—Bono, take note.”

This year’s Grammy awards ceremony takes place the evening of Sunday, February 11.

Ed Barks, author of The Truth About Public Speaking: The Three Keys to Great Presentations, is a trainer, author, and speaker who teaches today’s leaders how to deliver dynamic, message-packed presentations and how to work with the media. He has served as President of Barks Communications since its inception in 1997, guiding more than 2900 business leaders, government officials, non-profit leaders, physicians, athletes, association executives, entertainers, and public relations staff toward a sharper message and enhanced communications skills.