Hello again, readers.
As I mentioned last week, we’ve scrapped the 2017 All WNY Music Awards and have decided to move on with the 2018 Awards with some simplification in mind.
As such, two weeks from today (Sept. 8, 2018), we will begin the nomination process for the 2018 Awards. While we’re still finalizing some details, I can share some things with you.
There will be less categories. Sixty-nine categories was just way too many. In an effort to be inclusive, we really just made things more difficult on ourselves. As such, we’re combining some categories and simply dropping others. We’re totally positive that some people will be upset about that. I’m okay with that. Not everyone can get an award.
Nominations will be open for two weeks. (Sept. 8 – 21) We’re limiting the amount of time people will be able to nominate their favorite band, musician, etc. We feel two weeks is more than ample time to be able to get the word out. And seeing as we’re announcing it two weeks ahead of time, it’s really four weeks altogether.
A committee will pick the top 10 nominees in each category. A few members of the All WNY staff have agreed to sit on a committee to narrow the nominees in each category down to their top 10. We are still soliciting members for that committee. Email me if you’re interested.
Nominees must have music playing on All WNY Radio. As these are the All WNY Music Awards, we’re limiting nominees to those bands that have music on our 24-7 music stream. If you don’t and you’d like to be considered for inclusion, submit music now. If you’re nominated and do not have a presence on the All WNY Radio music stream, you will have a limited time to submit music.
All WNY Radio rules apply. Band must be from Western New York and play original music.
Nominees must have had a music release or show in 2018. You can’t be the best band of 2018 if you didn’t do anything in 2018. As such, bands that have no public presence will not be considered. It is preferred that bands have an internet presence – whether it’s Facebook, Soundcloud, a website, etc. This will make it easier for voters to familiarize themselves with you.
Voting will be open for four weeks. (Oct. 12 – Nov. 9) After the selection committee whittles the nominees in each category down to 10, the public will vote on their favorite. The top vote-getter in each category will get the award.
Awards handed out in January. We will hold an awards ceremony at a date and place to be determined (in January) where awards certificates will be presented. Winners will NOT be notified prior to the ceremony. In prior years, the All WNY Music Awards “ceremony” has basically been a concert where certificates were handed out. This will be an awards ceremony (like the Oscars) with musical performances.
We’re excited to re-launch the Awards in what it designed to be a less stressful and more meaningful way. As I said before, the awards are important to us. And we want them to mean something to the Western New York music community, too. We believe with these changes, they will.
Thank you for your time and patience. If you have any questions, email me.
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