At long last Walsall`s contribution to the music industry is being recognised and celebrated in the inaugural Black Country Music Awards in aid of charity. Honouring all that Walsall has to offer musically, the Black Country Music Awards will shine a light on the unrivalled venues, exceptional artists and songwriters, tireless promoters and producers as well as identifying the region`s best singles, albums, videos and much more.
Walsall music lovers are being asked to be part of the Black Country Music Awards and nominate their favourite artists, musicians, venues and more in the following categories:
(1) Best live venue (300 capacity)
(2) Best live venue (over 300 capacity)
(3) Best LGBTvenue/event
(4) Best local radio station/show
(5) Best local music store
(6) Best live band photohgrapher
(7) Best open mic night
(8) Best recording studio/producer
(9) Best singer songwriter
(10) Best New Wave/Classic Rock act
(11) Best Indie/Pop act
(12) Best Metal act
(13) Best Country/Jazz/Folk
(14) Best music video
(15) Best single
(16) Best album
(17) Best live act
(18)lifetime achievement/outstanding contribution award.
The judges include Danni G, presenter on Signal 107.fm and lead singer/guitarist with her own band, John Penney, lead singer with Neds Atomic Dustbin and Wolves Civic Promotions and Funding Officer, Jayne Burness, events promoter and organiser on Facebook, Peter Williams from RGG Magazine, Brett Hall, event promoter and organiser, Gavin Monaghan, producer and operating mostly from his sonic temple Magic Garden recordings (based proudly in the West Midlands) he has had platinum and gold sales chart success with musicians as diverse as Editors, Robert Plant, Grace Jones, Jimmy Somerville and Ocean Colour Scene.
Event organiser is Shaun "Reckless" Ryan who has spent the last 23 years publishing, promoting and advertising live music across the Black Country and Birmingham as editor and publisher of RGG Magazine.
"There are more judges to be announced",explained Shaun "but the Event MC is Doreen, Queen of the Black Country. Doreen is a legend in her own lifetime. The only person in the UK to be diagnosed with "Lazy Cow Syndrome", this awful disability hasn`t stopped Doreen becoming an icon, first in her beloved Black Country and now on the way to conquering the world! Doreen hosts her own radio show on the interwebby thing, is a star of Pantomime and will bring her own brand of Black Country humour to the event".
VIPs are Mark Stanway, former long-term keyboard player with MAGNUM for 36 years and between 1980 - 2016 he played on 19 of their studio albums plus numerous live and compilation albums. He has also performed and recorded with Phil Lynott`s Grand Slam, Robert Plant, Roy Wood, M3 Classic Whitesnake and the Quireboys. Royston Blythe and Nick Malenko are the celebrities who are the UK`s most in-demand hairdressers from clients, celebrities and the media alike.
Their work has also been on the London catwalks, at the Monte Carlo Grand Prix and of course on a host of well-known stars of film and TV. "I have seen a few award events take place" said organiser Shaun "Reckless" Ryan "over the years and one thing that struck me was that some didn`t appear to be very open or transparent.
I want the public to be the ones who nominate in each category and also choose the winner in each category. Our judges will be there as a guiding hand to whittle down the nominations to 3 in each category.
I have carefully chosen judges who in all likelihood will not be in a position to be nominated themselves. I am super-excited to see what the students at Wolverhampton University design as our actual award and feel proud to be able to raise some funds and awareness for our chosen charity Compton Care".
The venue for the inaugural awards will be at ICB in Wolverhampton on 21st June in The Balcony Suite on the first floor which has a 650 split level capacity. "Food and drinks service is second to none" explained Shaun "Reckless" Ryan "and guests will be enjoying a 2 course Desi-Fusion meal prepared in their own state of the art kitchen and served by friendly and helpful staff."
Sponsors are Alsav Electrical, Compton Care, University of Wolverhampton, RDI Design and ICB International Conference & Banqueting. Tickets to purchase for this event will be limited to 500 on general release with a further 250 allocated to VIPs and category finalists.
This event will very likely sell out - so if you want to be part of this wonderful night, don`t delay and book your tickets today! Or, as Shaun "Reckless" Ryan would say in Black Country dialect "becuz yam werth it!" For further information, nominations and tickets please go to www.blackcountrymusicawards.com.
