James Corden Producer Ben Winston Will Succeed Ken Ehrlich On Grammy Telecast

Christopher Polk/Getty Images for NARAS – Ken Ehrlich
Ken Ehrlich catches up with Chance the Rapper in the controlled chaos backstage of the 2017 Grammy Awards at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

It’s now official. Ben Winston will be the new executive producer of the Grammy Awards in 2021, succeeding Ken Ehrlich, who will helm his 40th ceremony next year for his final bow.

Winston arrived in the U.S. nearly five years ago to launch “The Late Late Show with James Corden.” Ehrlich’s run was noted by both CBS and the Recording Academy in announcing the succession.

“Ken’s imprint on the Grammy Awards and the music industry are well–known and represent the kind of work and vision that legends are made of,” said Neil Portnow, President and CEO of the Recording Academy, who will officially leave his post at the end of the month and be replaced by incoming head Deborah Dugan.

“Having worked closely with Ken for almost half of his tenure with the show, I have seen first–hand the vision, extraordinary musical knowledge, and passion he brings to every minute of the process, and the spectacular results and memorable ‘Grammy Moments’ that have been delivered. It’s an honor to celebrate his 40th show. I also recognize the wonderful opportunity ahead by bringing the immensely talented, innovative and well-respected Ben Winston into the family, and we look forward to his enthusiastic and forward–thinking approach to presenting music on television.”

Winston was at Ehrlich’s side learning the ropes during this year’s telecast. CBS had hinted last year about the handoff plan but official word came down today. Ehrlich also got caught up in the furor over Portnow’s “step up” comments in 2017, and earlier this year had a public disagreement with pop superstar Ariana Grande, who did not perform on the show and then took Ehrlich to task on social media. 

Over the years, artists from from Jay-Z to Lorde have been disgruntled while the likes of Beyonce, Kendrick Lamar and Childish Gambino have boycotted the ceremony over the representation of hip-hop on the show. Acceptance speeches by three major artists – Drake, Dua Lipa and Kacey Musgraves — were inadvertently cut off during this year’s telecast, ruffling a few feathers.

Dugan, an attorney and former record label executive who had been CEO of the (RED) Foundation since 201, will take over the reins from Portnow on August 1.