IslandMix - Soca, Reggae, Zouk and Caribbean Entertainment

Wish I could go, but I'm not staying that long...Hopefully the categories are more accurate this year.

Gold carpet for awards
by Ricky Jordan

A GOLD CARPET event costing organisers over half-million dollars is what Barbadians and visitors can expect from the Barbados Music Awards (BMA) on January 5, next year.

The marqué national event, hosted for the second year by Timeless Barbados Inc., will again seek to reward Barbadian talent in the entertainment industry with the support of corporate Barbados, Government and some 6 500 patrons.

"We've had no requests for anything but VIP tickets so far," said co-producer Ronnie Morris. "We honestly believe the BMA can become the Grammys of the Caribbean."

Slated for the Gymnasium of the Garfield Sobers Complex, it is offering $250 VIP ticket (platinum) tickets which include a free CD, preferred seating and catering; while gold tickets will cost $100 and other tickets $50.

The red carpet will be replaced with a gold carpet for VIP patrons, while select sponsors will have lounges fully outfitted and branded.

Timeless representatives also told the WEEKEND NATION that Prime Minister Owen Arthur would be patron of the event, themed Fields Of Gold.

"Moving to the gymnasium is significant because we're hoping to attract 6 500 people to witness a Barbadian musical production. It had been stated that Barbadian acts were 'not good enough' to attract large audiences at premium ticket prices. We will prove that to be very incorrect," Morris said.

He also said the award show would see the launch of the official Barbados airplay and album sales charts which, in his view, would create financial long term benefits for artistes since they will receive mechanical royalties.

Timeless Barbados also pledged to raise the prestige of the awards by having fewer awards and less nominess per category.

"Most categories will be limited to three nominees while major categories will retain five nominees. The Cornerstone awards will be reduced from 36 to eight, and then down to four after 2007. We're looking at the longevity of the event," Timeless added.

Praising the Ministry of Culture and the Prime Minister's office for being "tremendously supportive", Morris also acknowledged diamond sponsors CMC (Caribbean Media Corporation) and CBC (Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation), along with THE NATION which is the official exclusive newspaper of the event.

"The media has been phenomenal," said Timeless, noting an expected increased media presence from South Africa, the United States, England and Australia.

There is also a strong tourism drive for the BMA, since it was promoted extensively at CARIFESTA in Trinidad, and will be hyped in the Dominican Republic next week followed by 15 other destinations between now and January 5.

Asked about the show's heavy emphasis on Rihanna in 2006, Morris said many local entertainers were caught napping then since they had merely produced work for Crop-Over but next year "will see an emergence of those awakened by the first event and who are producing music year-round.

"What we've seen is a lot more artistes interested in music videos, packaging, promotional material and the marketing of their music. The BMA is making an impact on the quality of music coming out of Barbados," Morris said.

A new one-off award, the International Icon Award, will be presented to Jamaican Aston "Family Man" Barrett, musical director for the late Bob Marley and the Wailers.

Nah...I'll ask.

Nov 1st
http://www.barbadosmusicawards.com/ is the website so ya can check that out around then too.