43 rd Country Music Awards of Australia 2015 NOMINATION INFORMATION GUIDE TO SUBMITTING ENTRIES

Transcription

1 43 rd Country Music Awards of Australia 2015 NOMINATION INFORMATION GUIDE TO SUBMITTING ENTRIES Deadline Nominations open at 9:00am Monday September 8 th 2014 and close at 11:59pm on Monday October 13th All physical material (where applicable) must be provided to the CMAA and all digital material must be uploaded online by this time. Late entries will not be accepted. All Nominations are to be completed and uploaded online at Nominations Nominations will be accepted from independent artists, signed artists, agents, record companies, and publishing companies. If more than one nomination is received for the same nominee in the same category, precedence will be given to those received from the record company. In all categories except Album of the Year, Alternative Country Album of the Year, Top Selling Australian Album of the Year and Top Selling International Album of the Year, nominations are restricted to one track per artist per entity releasing the material. Each entry must be accompanied by a high resolution JPEG headshot photo of the artist/s uploaded online. All required fields must be completed. If the company or individual nominating and the artist/s nominated (including all artists in Vocal Collaboration of the Year) are current financial Professional Members of the CMAA at the time of nominating then the total fee for all nominations is $82.50 (inc GST). If the company or individual nominating is not a Professional Member of the CMAA then a nomination fee of $220 (inc GST) applies to each batch of nominations per artist. Nomination fee is payable at the time of submitting your entries. 1

2 To become a professional member of the CMAA or renew membership please go to Entering all categories All categories are to be submitted online as follows: o o o o o Go to Create your unique Login and Password Enter and upload your Nomination/s plus supporting information as required Pay your Nomination Fee Submit your entry Entries will only be accepted in the following formats: Audio - MP3 or m4a Video - YouTube URL Photo - High resolution JPEG (maximum 5MB) Album Art - PDF Entry is via online only and no physical entry form will be required. Male Artist of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Group or Duo of the Year, Album of the Year, Alternative Country Album of the Year, Top Selling Australian Album of the Year, and Top Selling International Album of the Year are all required to submit a physical copy of the CD to the 43rd Country Music Awards of Australia. Delivery address for physical product Postal Address: 43 rd Country Music Awards of Australia PO Box 298 Tamworth NSW 2340 Please allow sufficient time for your entry to be received prior to the deadline as no nomination will be accepted after the deadline, regardless of when it was postmarked or dispatched. 2

3 PLEASE NOTE ELIGIBILITY Eligibility for the 43rd Country Music Awards of Australia is defined as follows: Unless otherwise stated to the contrary in this agreement, "Album" means a recording containing no less than seven (7) songs in total at least 70% of which are previously unreleased songs which are released for the first time in the relative eligibility period. 1 To be eligible for nominations in all categories the nominated material must be available for sale on recognised DSP s such as itunes during the eligibility period or on a commercially available CD. If the material was released only on CD, no less than FIVE HUNDRED (500) copies of the nominated audio CD must be manufactured in Australia during the eligibility period. 2 The eligibility period for all categories except Top Selling Australian Album of the Year, Top Selling International Album of the Year and Single of the Year is October 1st 2013 to September 30th 2014 inclusive. 3 The eligibility period for Single of the Year is October 1st 2012 to September 30th 2014 inclusive (a two year period). A single can only be nominated in this category in one awards year. 4 The eligibility period for Top Selling Album of the Year and Top Selling International Album of the Year is any consecutive twelve month period from June 1st 2012 to September 30th 2014 inclusive. An album can only be recognised as a winner of this category in one awards year. 5 Nominations in all categories except Album of the Year, Alternative Country Album of the Year, Top Selling Album of the Year and Top Selling International Album of the Year must be new recordings commercially released for the first time in the relevant eligibility period. The Albums nominated for Album of the Year, Alternative Country Album of the Year, Top Selling Album of the Year and Top Selling International Album of the Year categories must comply with the definition of Album above. 7 A nomination for Male Artist of the Year, Female Artist of the Year and Group or Duo of the Year is only valid if the nominating artist(s) has entered his/her Album in either the Album of the Year or Alternative Country Album of the Year category in the current eligibility period. 8 Nominations for Vocal Collaboration, APRA Song, New Talent, Bluegrass, Instrumental, Heritage and Bush Ballad must be a track from an album or single commercially released for the first time in the relevant eligibility period. 3

4 9 Nominations for Video Clip must be first available for broadcast or sale within the relative eligibility period. N.B. it need not be tied to the release date of the associated audio track. 10 A Male Artist of the Year or Female Artist of the Year nominee cannot also nominate for Group or Duo of the Year in the same awards year. 11 An individual member of a Group or Duo of the Year nominee cannot nominate for any category in the same awards year other than APRA Song of the Year, Instrumental of the Year, or Vocal Collaboration of the Year. 12 No track can be entered in both Heritage Song of the Year and Bush Ballad of the Year in the same awards year. 13 An artist who has not previously been a finalist in any category may nominate for New Talent of the Year in three awards years. An artist who has previously been a finalist in New Talent of the Year, but has not won New Talent of the Year, may nominate one more time in that category. An artist who has previously won an award in any category or been a finalist in any category other than New Talent of the Year (one time) will not be eligible. 14 Nominations will be accepted for country music audio and video recordings by artists or composers who are citizens or permanent residents of Australia. A permanent resident is defined as someone who: is not an Australian citizen or unlawful non-citizen and is usually resident in Australia and holds a permanent visa, a resident return visa, an authority to return or a return endorsement. Album Producers and Video Directors of nominated product who are not citizens or permanent residents of Australia (as outlined above) are not eligible to win a trophy. This does not preclude the album or video they worked on from being eligible. These requirements relating to residency and citizenship are waived for nominations for Top Selling International Album of the Year. 15 Nominations (both audio and video) featuring a significant proportion of material recorded at events organised by or on behalf of the CMAA are not eligible. 16 Eligibility and acceptance of nominations will be solely at the organiser s discretion. 17 Eligibility criteria specific to each category is listed on the relevant category page. 4

5 FURTHER INFORMATION & DEFINITIONS 1 The judging system for the 2015 Country Music Awards of Australia is explained on the CMAA website. Please go to 2 "Commercially Released" is defined as being available on a recognised DSP such as itunes or a professionally packaged CD that is and available for sale to retailers and / or the general public. Product released only as a CD burn will not be eligible. 3 All companies or persons nominating material for the 43rd Country Music Awards of Australia hereby allow recording of the presentation of the Awards ceremony by the organisers or their nominee/s for broadcast on radio, television, video and internet or for transmission by any means whatever, in part or in full. 4 All owners of the audio / video recordings of material nominated in the 43rd Country Music Awards of Australia hereby allow all or some of their nominated track/s to be included on the CMAA Winners album should they become Finalists. 5 All Finalists will be required to provide a current biography (100 words max) and high resolution colour portrait (image must be scanned at minimum 600 dpi and saved to JPEG format no larger than 5MB). An authorised representative of the 43rd Country Music Awards of Australia will contact you if additional material is required. 6 Finalists may be required to send an additional copy of their CD/DVD. An authorised representative of the 43rd Country Music Awards of Awards will contact you if additional product is required. 7 Nomination forms or product will not be returned. 8 The advertised results of the judging of the awards will be final and no correspondence will be entered into. 9 In submitting a nomination, the nominating company or person agrees to be bound by and comply with the General and Specific Rules of the 43rd Country Music Awards of Australia as set out herewith. 10 In relation to Top Selling Album of the Year and Top Selling International Album of the Year: Premium Sales are sales (or vouchers for redemption of digital copies) of products (physical or digital) made under non-conventional terms, where product is specially produced for another company that does not usually sell/distribute recorded music for the purpose of distribution/dissemination to consumers as part of a special promotion. 5

6 11 Premium Sales may be summarised as follows: The product is sold to a retailer or other selling company which does not normally engage in the business of selling recorded music and at least one of the following is true: i. The product has been specially produced for one particular offer/campaign ii. The product sale is one way and returns will not be accepted at any time. 12 All matters relating to the conduct of the 43rd Country Music Awards of Australia remain under the total control of the 43rd Country Music Awards of Australia Committee or its nominee/s. The Committee will use its best endeavours to ensure all requirements of nominations and conduct of the Awards are met, but cannot be held responsible for any digression or non-compliance in any matter. 13 Finalists in the judged categories will be announced at an event in Sydney in November The details of this event will be announced in October Winners will be announced at the 43rd Country Music Awards of Australia presentation at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre on Australia Day, Saturday 25th January

7 CATEGORIES ALBUM OF THE YEAR This Award is for an Album as a whole unit. The Album will be judged on all aspects including but not limited to song selection, production, artist s performance, musical performance. An Album of the Year nominee cannot also nominate for Alternative Country Album of the Year in the same awards year. There is a requirement that the album contains 70% previously unreleased songs. Trophy goes to the artist and producer. Please also submit ONE (1) copy of the CD if available to 43rd Country Music Awards of Australia, PO Box 298 Tamworth NSW 2340 ALTERNATIVE COUNTRY ALBUM OF THE YEAR Alternative country is a loosely defined sub-genre of country music that includes acts that differ significantly in style from mainstream country music. It can be used to describe artists who push the boundaries of country music from the inside by incorporating influences ranging from roots rock, bluegrass, rockabilly, honky-tonk, alternative rock and folk rock. It can also include outsiders who love the sound and spirit of country music and reinterpret it in personal, contemporary, and idiosyncratic ways. The introduction of this award recognises artists who sit stylistically outside the mainstream of country. It serves to recognise fringe artists who operate partially or wholly within the country music community and creates opportunities for artists who may have previously considered themselves too far outside the mainstream to consider nominating. Alternative country recordings by artists generally considered mainstream are also eligible. This Award is for an Album as a whole unit. The Album will be judged on all aspects including but not limited to song selection, production, artist s performance, musical performance. There is a requirement that the album contains 70% previously unreleased songs. An Alternative Country Album of the Year nominee cannot also nominate for Album of the Year in the same awards year. Trophy goes to the artist and producer. Please also submit ONE (1) copy of the CD if available to 43rd Country Music Awards of 7

8 Australia, PO Box 298 Tamworth NSW 2340 MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR Judged on an Album by the nominee that is entered in either the Album of the Year or Alternative Country Album of the Year categories in the current eligibility period. A Male Artist of the Year nominee cannot also nominate for Group or Duo of the Year in the same awards year. Trophy goes to the artist. Please also submit ONE (1) copy of the CD if available to: 43rd Country Music Awards of Australia, PO Box 298 Tamworth NSW 2340 FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR Judged on an album by the nominee that is entered in either the Album of the Year or Alternative Country Album of the Year categories in the current eligibility period. A Female Artist of the Year nominee cannot also nominate for Group or Duo of the Year in the same awards year. Trophy goes to the artist. Please also submit ONE (1) copy of the CD if available to: 43rd Country Music Awards of Australia, PO Box 298 Tamworth NSW 2340 GROUP OR DUO OF THE YEAR Judged on an Album by the nominee that is entered in either the Album of the Year or Alternative Country Album of the Year categories in the current eligibility period. A Group or Duo is defined as an act, consisting of two or more people, all of whom normally perform together and none of whom is known primarily as an individual performing artist. No member of the group or duo may have any featured or solo vocal performance in their own right nominated in any category in the current awards year except APRA Song of the Year, Instrumental of the Year or Vocal Collaboration of the Year. Trophy goes to the group or duo. Please also submit ONE (1) copy of the CD if available to: 43rd Country Music Awards of Australia, PO Box 298 Tamworth NSW 2340 VOCAL COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR album, commercially released for the first time in the relevant eligibility period. 8

9 Under this category, if the nominated track is taken from an album, the album must contain no less than seven (7) songs however the requirement that the album contains 70% previously unreleased songs does not apply. A Vocal Collaboration is defined as a recording by two or more people, each known primarily as a performer in their own right, working together on a one off or occasional vocal collaboration. Each nominee must feature prominently as a lead vocalist, not as a harmony or background singer and must be clearly identified as a featured vocalist on any packaging and label copy. Trophy goes to each artist. BUSH BALLAD OF THE YEAR album that is not also nominated for Heritage Song of the Year in the same year. Under this category, if the nominated track is taken from an album, the album must contain no less than seven (7) songs however the requirement that the album contains 70% previously unreleased songs does not apply. A Bush Ballad is a lyrical narrative in song concerned with places, people, events and or attitudes clearly identifiable with Australia. It must be presented in a traditional manner which exhibits an understanding of the genre s musical and cultural values in the style established by Australia s pioneer performers. The Bush Ballad of the Year must be a new composition first released during the current eligibility period but may combine lyrics previously published as poems or ballads with new music or vice versa, creating a substantially new song. Please note: this category is dedicated to traditional bush ballads only. Please ensure that before nominating a song in this category you carefully read and understand the criteria above and the following explanation: A bush ballad nomination must be clearly related in lyrics, form, content, musical arrangement, instrumentation and presentation to the traditional roots of Australian country music as exemplified by pioneers and other early performers. Trophy goes to the artist/s and songwriter/s. HERITAGE SONG OF THE YEAR album that is not also nominated for Bush Ballad of the Year in the same year. Under this category, if the nominated track is taken from an album, the album must contain no less than seven (7) songs however the requirement that the album contains 70% previously unreleased songs does not apply. A Heritage Song is an Australian composition that is defined as a being about Australia, its people, history, geography, attitudes and ideals. The content and presentation must 9

10 be recognisable as being an Australian song about Australia. The Heritage Song of the Year must be a new composition first released during the current eligibility period. Trophy goes to the artist/s and, the songwriter/s. INSTRUMENTAL OF THE YEAR album commercially released for the first time in the relevant eligibility period. Under this category, if the nominated track is taken from an album, the album must contain no less than seven (7) songs however the requirement that the album contains 70% previously unreleased songs does not apply. The nominated track cannot include any featured vocal performance. Trophy goes to the artist/s. BLUEGRASS RECORDING OF THE YEAR (New category for 2015) album commercially released for the first time in the relevant eligibility period. Under this category, if the nominated track is taken from an album, the album must contain no less than seven (7) songs however the requirement that the album contains 70% previously unreleased songs does not apply. The Bluegrass Recording of the Year must be a new recording first released during the current eligibility period. A Bluegrass recording must be a track featuring some / all of the traditional acoustic instruments such as mandolin, fiddle, five-string banjo, six-string guitar, dobro and upright bass, but in addition can also include electric versions of the above instruments, piano, electric guitar and drums (sometimes referred to as newgrass ). The recording can include solo, group or harmony vocals. If the nominated Bluegrass Recording is an instrumental only, then it cannot also be nominated in the Instrumental of the Year Category. NEW TALENT OF THE YEAR album commercially released for the first time in the relevant eligibility period. Under this category, if the nominated track is taken from an album, the album must contain no less than seven (7) songs however the requirement that the album contains 70% previously unreleased songs does not apply. An artist who has not previously been a finalist in any category may nominate for New Talent of the Year in up to three awards years. An artist who has previously been a finalist in New Talent of the Year, but has not won 10

11 New Talent of the Year, may nominate one more time in that category. An artist who has previously won an award in any category or been a finalist in any category other than New Talent of the Year (one time) will not be eligible. Trophy goes to artist/s. Please note that New Talent of the Year category requires the submission of a short biography (150 words max) on the nominating artist. APRA SONG OF THE YEAR album. Under this category, if the nominated track is taken from an album, the album must contain no less than seven (7) songs however the requirement that the album contains 70% previously unreleased songs does not apply. A nominated track must be a newly written Australian composition first released during the current eligibility period. Trophy goes to songwriter/s. VIDEO CLIP OF THE YEAR Judged on the nominated video clip. Video clips must be first released and available for broadcast or sale in the current awards year and are treated as releases in their own right, not tied to the release date of the associated audio track. Video clips must be not more than ten minutes in duration, featuring the performance of not more than one song or medley. Trophy goes to the artist/s and director. SINGLE OF THE YEAR Album or solely as a commercially available digital download from CMAA recognised DSP s such as itunes during the eligibility period. A copy of the track must have been delivered to radio either digitally or on CD within the eligibility period for the clearly stated purpose of gaining radio play as a single. The eligibility period for Single of the Year is October 1st 2012 to September 30th 2014 inclusive (a two year period) but a Single can only be nominated in this category in one awards year. Trophy goes to the artist/s. 11

12 TOP SELLING AUSTRALIAN ALBUM OF THE YEAR Sales shall be net Australian physical and digital sales for any consecutive twelve month period from June 1st 2012 to September 30th 2014 inclusive. An Album can only be nominated in this category in one awards year. Net sales exclude: Direct export sales; promotional i.e. complimentary copies; premium sales (defined under Further Information and Definitions on page 7); returned product (returns received during the sales period are deducted from sales in that period - no allowance for returns is required). Net sales may include Record Club sales. Digital sales (full length permanent downloads) eligible for inclusion must be bundles equivalent to the physical release or bundles equivalent to the physical release with additional bonus tracks. At the discretion of the CMAA you may be required to submit an auditor s report. An auditor s report must confirm that the reported units sold agree with the books and records of the company and have been correctly calculated in accordance with the definition of Net Sales (see above), and that nothing has come to the auditor s attention that leads them to believe that the information is incorrect. Trophy goes to the artist/s. Please also submit ONE (1) copy of the CD to: 43rd Country Music Awards of Australia, PO Box 298 Tamworth NSW 2340 TOP SELLING INTERNATIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR Sales shall be net Australian physical and digital sales for any consecutive twelve month period from June 1st, 2012 to September 30th, 2014 inclusive. An Album can only be nominated in this category in one awards year. Net sales exclude: Direct export sales; promotional i.e. complimentary copies; premium sales (defined under Information and Definitions on page 6); returned product (returns received during the sales period are deducted from sales in that period - no allowance for returns is required). Net sales may include Record Club sales. Digital sales (full length permanent downloads) eligible for inclusion must be bundles equivalent to the physical release or bundles equivalent to the physical release with additional bonus tracks. 12

13 At the discretion of the CMAA you may be required to submit an auditor s report. An auditor s report must confirm that the reported units sold agree with the books and records of the company and have been correctly calculated in accordance with the definition of Net Sales (see above), and that nothing has come to the auditor s attention that leads them to believe that the information is incorrect. Trophy goes to the artist/s. Please also submit ONE (1) copy of the CD to: 43rd Country Music Awards of Australia, PO Box 298 Tamworth NSW