Warminster Producer Prepares for Grammy's Red Carpet

A Warminster-based producer and performer is in L.A. this week preparing for his walk down the red carpet. Steve Pullara and his team of co-producers hope to bring a golden gramophone back to Bucks County.

Pullara, Jim Cravero, Patrick Robinson, Kevin Mackie and Gloria Domina's album, All About Bullies...Big and Small, is one of five nominees for the 2011 Grammy for Best Children's Album. Pullara said the group feels pretty good about their chances.

"We have good faith that the Lord has shined upon this project wonderfully," he said. "A lot of people have been saying, 'We really think the team is getting a Grammy this year.'"

The album is a collection of 37 tracks by artists like Steven Van Zandt and Blue October that tackles the topic of bullying through funny songs and spoken word pieces. Pullara said that because the subject matter was presented in such a unique way, he thinks they'll win the ultimate prize.

And if All About Bullies doesn't win a Grammy, it's OK. Getting a nomination is a remarkable accomplishment, Pullara said, so it wouldn't be a complete disappointment.

"We still created a great CD and we were recognized... and [if] you don't bring it home, you're considered second place, which is still extremely significant," he explained. "All the nominees get a bronze Tiffany medallion — like the Olympic medallions — so being a nominee is an award, too."  

This is Pullara's second Grammy nomination. He found out that All About Bullies...Big and Small was nominated on Nov. 30.  

"You find out and then your life changes," he laughs.  

After that, he said everyone starts doing press and thanking people for supporting the album. Currently, Pullara is in L.A. prepping for the big night. He's been waking up at 2:45 a.m., he said, and then the press junkets begin.  

"Getting nominated is a lot of work," he said. "It's a lot of talking to people that support you. And it's nice because people recognize you for what you've done, so you should be available to them," even if it is early in the morning.  

On Feb. 12, Pullara and his team of co-producers will get dressed up in tuxedos and gowns and mingle with the other nominees before finding out who will go home with the gold.

"It's like the prom on steroids," he joked. "We walk the red carpet and get interviewed by CNN and all these news outlets. You get a red carpet usher assigned to you. They give you a menu and you circle who you want to be interviewed by and the ushers take you to them."

In addition to being interviewed, there's time to meet and greet with other industry people.  

"I'd like to meet Steve Martin... and the Allman Brothers," Pullara said. "There's going to be a lot of interesting people. You don't ask them for autographs...you talk industry. 'What banjo did you play, and what kind of strings do you use?'"  

It's a time to be around other people who have accomplished a lot in the music industry and to appreciate one another's work, he explained. The Grammy's are "very much the big music event of the year."

On the local level, Pullara said that people have been very encouraging and he is amazed by people's response to the album's nomination.

"It makes me feel good that people are being so supportive," he said. "I'm extremely grateful to all the townships that have booked me throughout the years and supported me...believing in me and what I can do. We would love to bring a Grammy home to Warminster and the Philadelphia area."

Tune to CBS on Sunday, Feb. 12, at 8 p.m. to watch the Grammy's or visit the award's website after the show to find out the winners.