John Billings is known as the Grammy Man. For 43 years, he’s made the music industry’s most coveted awards. He and his team of four craft each golden gramophone by hand. About 350 statuettes are handed out in 80 categories once a year during the music industry’s biggest night: the Grammy Awards.
When Billings was growing up in California, his best friend’s dad made molds for trophy companies. By pouring material like clay or metal into a mold, you can make many copies of the same trophy. “I was always fascinated,” says Billings. “You have to think backwards and inside out when you’re working on a mold because it’s a negative of the final product.” When his friend’s dad passed away, Billings took over the workshop.
The Grammy Awards are the biggest night in the music industry. Once a year, about 350 statuettes are handed out to reward remarkable artists. That couldn’t happen without John Billings—but he’s not a musician. For 43 years, he’s made the golden gramophone statues used for the awards. He’s known as the Grammy Man.
Billings grew up in California. His best friend’s dad made molds for trophy companies. The companies could pour material like clay or metal into a mold to make copies of the trophy. “I was always fascinated,” says Billings. “You have to think backwards and inside out when you’re working on a mold because it’s a negative of the final product.” When his friend’s dad passed away, Billings took over the workshop.