Local Music Awards 2009 change direction
Feb. 23, 2009 - by Elle Destree – the217.com Producer, and Joe Lamberson – WPGU Program Director, and Tommy Trafton – buzz Editor in Chief
It's no secret that the Local Music Awards have become a source of controversy over the last few years. The event, now in its fifth year, was originally created to bring local musicians and music fans together and celebrate the strength and talent of our scene. As of late, there have been a number of objections that Illini Media, as an organization, has considered. We have read the message boards, opened your e-mails and seen the comments on the217.com, and they have resonated.
As a media organization, one of the best things we can do is respect and respond to our audience. We have no intention of creating barriers between ourselves and our readers or listeners. We take everything you say into consideration, and this year, have decided to make a change.
The Local Music Awards will no longer be an event in which we nominate bands for categories such as "Best Rock" or "Best New Album." The show will still exist, but in a way that we hope will better serve and promote the community and avoid the risk of competition.
To achieve this, based on recommendations from various residents of Champaign-Urbana and representatives on the local music scene, the awards will be based on lighthearted categories such as "Best Moustache" or "Best Collective Use of Plaid." This will promote a fun night where we discuss, celebrate and appreciate local music, but in a less serious way.
The awards show will still consist of several performances from bands booked by Ward Gollings, and we will be working hard to ensure that the performances become a strong focus in the show. We will also be asking bands to collaborate on-stage, if they would like to.
In addition, we will feature several bands in different genres that we feel should be known and recognized by the community for their hard work. There will be no singular winner — instead, we will recognize these groups as a way to both introduce them to newcomers to the scene and show our appreciation for their work and contributions.
All categories will be write-ins, so you get to pick who has the "Most Innovative Use of Tambourine On-Stage." We will take the top picks and reveal them at the event. In addition, we will ask for your vote on "Best Contribution to the Scene," in which you can write in a band, promoter, venue, booking agent, fan — anyone or anything you feel made an impact on our scene over the past year. We will honor a number of people on the night of the awards show for their contribution based on what the community has to say about them. We will also present a lifetime achievement award, as we have always done.
Coverage in buzz Magazine, on WPGU 107.1 FM and on the217.com will change accordingly. We will be looking toward the history and future of local music in Champaign-Urbana, and we will be asking bands, venues and promoters to chip in their two cents on other artists around town.
We want this event and our year round coverage to be a means to discover the immense talent in Champaign-Urbana, and have no intention of creating a clash among community members. We hope that you will continue to provide us with feedback on what we do, and we will always listen.
Sincerely,
Elle Destree, the217.com Producer
Joe Lamberson, WPGU Program Director
Tommy Trafton, buzz Editor in Chief
The Local Music Awards will be held on April 9, 2009 at the Highdive in downtown Champaign. The awards will feature a number of performers yet to be announced. You can vote online on the217.com starting March 12.
Sound Off
The views expressed are the sole responsibility of the visitors who submitted them and do no represent the opinions of the217, WPGU, buzz or Illini Media staff members.
Curb Service says:
i can dig it.
says:
"Best Moustache" or "Best Collective Use of Plaid."
CU artist showcase would be better as a title, the LMA's are no longer an awards show....
Elle Destree says:
You're right, and actually, they're not going to be called "LMAs" this year. Stay tuned for the new title...
says:
oh my god! This sounds like so much fun!! This sounds absolutely wonderful! I have always felt very odd about the LMAs - for all the incredible support 107.1 has been giving the local rock community, the LMAs always seemed so controversial and divisive - and now it sounds like you guys are working even more to bring the local music community together and support it. how neat!!!
says:
Not bad! You guys should get Collusion to play at the awards..they freakin rock!
(myspace.com/collusion)
says:
Wait... so... I fail to understand how making an awards show about nothing will help the scene persue excellence, but I've not been a part of the scene, so I'm ignorant... but I don't see how this would help things be less divided. People acheiving musically or putting in work heads above the rest in the studio aren't going to be recognized for the things they put work into. It sounds more like a sideshow event?
Elle Destree says:
People felt as though having awards in different categories created unnecessary competition among bands and trivialized the art. So we decided to scrap the serious awards and have fun ones. In addition, there will be "spotlights" on several bands who we feel as though make a valuable contribution to the music community. We will also have a write-in for best contribution and honor those bands, as well as honoring a lifetime achievement recipient.
says:
Chad,
I think most every band tries their hardest, puts in work heads above the rest, in many different ways. The life of a band doesn't happen over a single year. I never understood how one band could be chosen over another in a certain year; then what about the next year? Should past winners be disqualified? And who is to say which band worked harder? Which achieved more? How do you measure these types of successes?
I'm someone who has watched the local scene (and been in it) for many years and I have always felt terrible for bands who didn't win, and even worse for bands who may have won one year and not the next. For those who have never played in a band, it's so hard to understand what type of hours, work, angst that you put in. You're constantly trying to improve yourselves and constantly trying to get shows and make songs, and then to be measured up against your peers by people who don't know what you're constantly going through... well it is kinda weird.
I'm thrilled to see a new response to the awards - it's like seeing a new president in office!
I'm looking forward to seeing other people's comments about this.
Golden Quality says:
Sounds like a party!!!
says:
i think that this will blow last years show out of the water. and I really like the new format, from what i just read. let's make it happen!
JimShoes says:
Yes this change sounds alot better. I look forward to seeing the whole Champaign-Urbana music community work together and support one another.
says:
Hahaha! seriously? I think there are problems with local coverage and promotion, but are you seriously that worried about--what-- hurting somebody's feelings? I'm sure the bands that work hard in this town will appreciate being able to put "best mustache" in their press kit. (I mean it's a cute award, don't get me wrong.)
But a little more comedy never hurt anybody, and it's nice to try new things, so whatever. :D
says:
Sounds to me like talent has been forsaken in the local music awards. This has turned into one big inside joke for a select few of Champaign downtowners. There is not even a glimpse of talent in such categories as "Loudest Band" or "Male Artist You'd Like to be Stranded on a Desert Island With." Shame on us if we think this is a tribute to local musicians. I just think it's lame.
On a side note, I think it's fine if we want to be silly and have some playful contest with categories like these, but we cannot call it the "Local Music Awards."
Mike Ingram says:
i like this.