'An incredible honour' - Carlow man invited to prestigious GRAMMY Voting Academy

Carlow man Brian Sheil has been officially invited to join The Recording Academy in the United States, which is the prestigious organisation behind the GRAMMY Awards.

This major achievement means that Brian will join the Academy’s exclusive Voting Membership, granting him a direct role in selecting GRAMMY award winners each year and helping shape the future of the global music industry.

This top-tier membership is reserved for professionals with a proven, outstanding track record and is only awarded through peer nomination and a stringent committee vetting process.

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Commenting on this phenomenal milestone, Brian said: “Being invited to join The Recording Academy is an incredible honour. But for me, it’s not just about the awards process, it’s about using my voice to support creators everywhere. That means mentoring young artists, stepping into leadership roles, and advocating for fair pay, education, and the rights of musicians and artists in today’s rapidly evolving industry.”

Brian's nomination by two high profile GRAMMY-recognised producers is testament to years of hard work in the industry and a growing profile. To date, the Carlow native has amounted over 30 million global streams and seven number one chart positions, making him one of the country's most sought after talents in the music production and audio engineering spaces.

Not only this, but Brian was selected by RTÉ as one of Ireland’s official Eurovision Song Contest judges in 2024, representing the country at the Grand Finals in Malmö, Sweden.

His work has since recently expanded into forensic science where he has blended his expertise in audio engineering to acquire a Masters in Audio and Video Forensics from Liverpool John Moores University - the first masters qualification of its kind in Europe. Brian's research focuses on the use of fake audio and how it is used to manipulate the public and infiltrate all spheres, from music to finance. Clearly, his work pushes boundaries.

The Carlovian shared: “Coming from the second smallest county in Ireland, I’m proud to bring my Irish and local community’s spirit to a global platform like The Recording Academy. Not many from Ireland have been invited to join as voting members, and I may be the first from Carlow to help shape music’s biggest night which makes this all the more meaningful.”

As a newly appointed Voting Member of the Recording Academy, Brian now joins a global network of leading industry professionals. Among those joining him in this year’s class of new invitees are LA based girl group KATSEYE and pop sensation Addison Rae.

Brian will serve as part of the Recording Academy’s Los Angeles Chapter and contribute to the influential Producers & Engineers Wing, which helps set industry standards for audio quality, policy, and innovation.

He said: “I hope that the journey I'm on can inspire young people to dream big and imagine their voices echoing on a world stage too.”