Recently in Awards Category

Road to Wonder's Nomination began in February 2009 at 51st Grammy(R) Awards Ceremony

Stevie Wonder continues to write songs that positively affect global social issues with this year's Grammy® nomination for Best Pop Male Vocal Performance of his song "All About The Love Again." With a total of 22 Awards, Stevie Wonder has been awarded the most Grammy® Awards for a Male Artist in history.

Wonder's "All About The Love Again" was first introduced to Grammy® voters during last year's 51st award ceremony. Wonder went on to perform the song, which was written for President Obama, during a PBS command performance at the White House. "All About The Love Again" marks the second time in Wonder's storied career where his music has been used for social change such as his "Happy Birthday" ode to Martin Luther King, Jr. in the campaign to adopt a Federal Holiday in his honor. Wonder began writing "All About The Love Again" in the 70's during his history breaking Grammy® run and was moved to complete the song by the Obama campaign message of Change. Grammy® insiders recognized Wonder's broad popular message and placed it in the Pop Male Vocal category this year. Will this become Stevie's 23rd Grammy®?

Wonder's songwriting genius and legacy continues to provide the world with music that permeates popular culture. The heartfelt simplicity of the message in the music has never departed from his songs. "All About The Love Again" speaks to the power of love to cure the problems of hunger, war, and poverty.

"All About The Love Again" appears exclusively on the Change is Now: Renewing America's Promise CD+DVD from set from Hidden Beach Recordings and is available at retailers nationwide and online from iTunes and Amazon.com.

About "Change Is Now"

The Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) joined forces with Hidden Beach Recordings to release CHANGE IS NOW: RENEWING AMERICA'S PROMISE-the first ever official Presidential Inauguration commemorative CD/DVD set. This collection celebrates President Barack Obama's historic election by including eight of his landmark campaign speeches together on one DVD and an 18-track CD with inspired music from some of America's top recording artists.

"The songs featured on this unique collection have captured the energy and enthusiasm that all Americans celebrated on January 20th," PIC spokesperson Brent Colburn stated. "The eighteen artists on this album truly represent how our differences can come together to celebrate our common purpose. We are grateful for their creativity and their musical contributions."

In addition to Stevie Wonder's track, CHANGE IS NOW: RENEWING AMERICA'S PROMISE features tracks by will.i.am, the Tony Rich Project, Ozomatli, Sheryl Crow, India.Arie, Melissa Etheridge, Lenny Kravitz, Robin Thicke, Maroon 5, Usher Raymond IV, BeBe Winans, Wilco, James Taylor, Jennifer Hudson, Lionel Ritchie, Death Cab for Cutie and Common.

SOURCE Hidden Beach Recordings

U2 will perform in front of Berlin's Brandenburg Gate on November 5, as part of the 16th MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs), the news was announced today by MTV Networks International (MTVNI), owned by Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B). As a prelude to the Fall of The Wall celebrations in Berlin, U2 return to the city for a free ticketed performance which will be beamed into the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards.

U2's manager Paul McGuinness said: "It'll be an exciting spot to be in, 20 years almost to the day since the wall came down. Should be fun."

Tickets to attend MTV EMAs present U2 at the Brandenburg Gate will be free of charge and available by registering on www.u2.com or www.mtvema.com from 9pm (CET) on Wednesday 28 October 2009. Tickets, which will take the form of a bar-coded e-ticket, will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and will be restricted to a maximum of 2 per applicant. Access to the performance will be strictly via one advance, scanned e-ticket per person. Tickets will not be available on the night of the show.

Commented Antonio Campo Dall'Orto, EVP, Music Brands, MTV Networks International and Executive Producer for the MTV Europe Music Awards: "The exceptional musical heritage of this year's EMAs spans genres and generations and we are extremely proud to be bringing U2 to Berlin for this extraordinary performance. This year's Awards will be remembered as the night when the world's major music players came together against the backdrop of the fall of the Berlin Wall to celebrate music, freedom and the birth of a new age in Europe."

The MTV Europe Music Awards will take place at the 02 World, Berlin on Thursday 5 November 2009 and will be broadcast live on MTV at 9pm CET. The MTV Europe Music Awards are sponsored by Sony Ericsson, MTV Games / Harmonic's The Beatles(TM): Rock Band(TM) and Dell.

For more information on 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards artists -- and to vote -- please go to: www.mtvema.com

Or go to: www.ema.mtv.co.uk/press

 

SOURCE MTV Networks International

Ice Cube Honored As This Year's "I AM HIP-HOP" Icon Award Recipient

* Hosted By Comedian and Actor Mike Epps *

BET Networks is gearing up for its fourth annual BET HIP HOP AWARDS in Atlanta, GA hosted by actor and comedian Mike Epps, the show will tape on Saturday, October 10th at the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlantic Civic Center and will premiere on the network on Tuesday, October 27 at 8:00 p.m.* This year's show is sure to have you on your feet with appearances and performances by Snoop, Jeezy, Soulja Boy, Wale, E-40, Fabolous, Gucci Mane, Goodie Mob, Lil Scrappy, Dorrough, Monica, Tiny & Toya, DJ Khalid, DJ Drama, Trina, Diddy featuring his sexy Dirty Money crew, and of course you know they'll be some surprises.

One of the most popular segments of the show are always the "hip-hop ciphers" and it promises not to disappoint this year as it features some of the true heavy weights as they battle it out, raw, uncut - for the fans.

To refresh the minds, the Hip-Hop Awards Voting Academy has nominated rapper, producer and style aficionado Kanye West for an impressive nine awards. Jay Z and Lil Wayne follow closely behind with seven nominations and T.I. rounds things off with six nominations. Additionally, BET has added two new nomination categories to this year's show - "Made-You-Look Award" (Best Hip Hop Style) which will go to the ultimate trendsetter and "Best Hip-Hop Blog Site," which will go to the online site that consistently keeps hip-hop fans in the know non-stop.

The BET HIP HOP AWARDS will showcase "Hip Hop Cares" which highlights various community organizations and foundations powered by prominent rap super stars in the industry. This year BET will feature 50 Cents' G-Unity Foundation, Busta Rhymes' affiliation with RockCorps, Jim Jones' service to Entertainers Alliance for Education Foundation and Young Jeezy's Street Dreams Foundation as they give back to major causes affecting their communities and the hip hop community at large.

BET once again teams up with Cossette Productions, the famed producers of the GRAMMY Awards® and the seven record-setting BET AWARDS shows, to handle production of the telecast. Stephen G. Hill, BET President, Music and Programming, along with Lynne Harris-Taylor, BET Vice President of Specials, are executive producers of the telecast.

For additional information, visit BET.com.

*All times ET/PT

SOURCE BET Networks

30H!3, Fefe Dobson, Cobra Starship, Phoenix and Kid Cudi Set To Perform in NYC

MTV is warming NYC up for the "2009 MTV Video Music Awards," which will air live from Radio City Music Hall on Sunday, September 13th at 9pm ET/PT, with a trio of music-filled events that will culminate with the massive music awards extravaganza. Music fans will be able to check out performances from 3OH!3, Fefe Dobson, Cobra Starship, Kid Cudi, and Phoenix at locations across the city. On Thursday night, the VMAs and Verizon Wireless kick off the week with a performance from 3OH!3, and Taco Bell(R) welcomes Fefe Dobson and Cobra Starship, along with DJ Vice, to the stage on Friday night. On Saturday night, the VMAs and Pepsi present "A Refreshing Night of Music" featuring DJ Clinton Sparks, Kid Cudi and Phoenix, with the event benefiting LIFEbeat, The Music Industry Fights AIDS.

Tickets for The 2009 Video Music Awards and Pepsi Present: A Refreshing Night of Music with DJ Clinton Sparks, Kid Cudi and Phoenix a Benefit for LIFEbeat, The Music Industry Fights AIDS, an all ages event, are $40.00 for General Admission in advance, with limited tickets at the door available for $50.00. Advance VIP tickets are also available for $150.00, with proceeds from all tickets going to LIFEbeat. Tickets can be purchased by going to LIFEbeat.org, ticketweb.com or by calling 866.468.7619. In addition, the event will offer fans the chance to play the highly-anticipated music video game The Beatles: Rock Band. More information on the LIFEbeat and the event can be found at LIFEbeat.org.

The "2009 MTV Video Music Awards Weekend" schedule is as follows:

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10th, 2009

The 2009 Video Music Awards and Verizon Wireless Present:

VMA Weekend Kick-Off Party with 3OH!3

Touch Nightclub, 240 W 52nd St

Door Open at 8pm

Cover Charge at the Door

Performance by 3OH!3

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11th, 2009

The 2009 VMAs and Taco Bell present:

A Concert with Fefe Dobson and Cobra Starship

The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza, 17 Irving Place

Doors Open at 6:30pm

$20 cover charge at the door, or advance cover may be purchased at the box office or at www.livenation.com

Performances from Fefe Dobson and Cobra Starship

Music by DJ Vice

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12th, 2009

The 2009 Video Music Awards and Pepsi Present:

A Refreshing Night of Music with DJ Clinton Sparks, Kid Cudi and Phoenix

a Benefit for LIFEbeat, The Music Industry Fights AIDS

610 West 56th Street

Doors Open - 9pm

Show Begins- 9:45pm

Special performances from Phoenix and Kid Cudi

Music by DJ Clinton Sparks

MTV and Taco Bell are blowing out their VMA partnership this year. Over the past four weeks, Taco Bell has brought the VMAs in-store, showcasing it via cups and point of purchase material with VMA tune-in attracting visibility among the more than 38 million people who visit a Taco Bell each week. Taco Bell has also integrated itself into MTV's 2009 VMA Tour at Six Flags as well as the Friday night concert over VMA weekend at The Fillmore NY. Taco Bell and MTV will bring both these events to the masses via MTV News hits that will air on MTV and MTVu throughout VMA weekend. Taco Bell is also using the VMA platform to launch the fourth year of its Feed the Beat(TM) program, which rewards up-and-coming bands free food while on tour. Go to feedthebeat.com for more information.

This year, MTV is recognizing 50 young volunteers from the Boys & Girls Club, City Year and Youth Build for getting involved in their local communities by bringing them to the MTV VMA Awards to catch all of the night's action. Serve.MTV.com is MTV's platform to connect young people with a wide range of ways to get active in their local communities, launched in response to surging youth interest in volunteerism, as well as the President and First Lady's call for Americans to become more involved in service. Find out more online at Serve.MTV.com, on Facebook or on MySpace.

MTV News and V CAST from Verizon Wireless are giving customers an All Access video pass to the 2009 VMAs, with an unprecedented inside look at the making of the biggest music event of the year. Verizon Wireless customers can sign up for VMA text alerts by texting VIP to 8911 to receive VMA news insider reports delivered directly to their Verizon Wireless phones.

Viewers can vote for the "Best New Artist" category throughout the show, live on September 13.

MTV, Pepsi and Rock Band(TM) have created a new category at this year's VMAs, "Best Performance in a Pepsi Rock Band Video" that allows fans, for the first time, a chance to win their very own Moonman. This summer, contestants entered their original Rock Band(TM) music videos, which fans voted on to select the ultimate winner. The winning band will travel to the "2009 MTV Video Music Awards," walk the red carpet, receive their Moonman, and be featured in an MTV produced promotional spot airing the night of the show.

Shugoll Research and Telescope are the Official Business Advisors of the "2009 MTV Video Music Awards" Nominee and Winner Voting periods.

Jesse Ignjatovic/Den of Thieves is the Executive Producer for the "2009 MTV Video Music Awards." Dave Sirulnick is Executive Producer. Garrett English is co-Executive Producer/Executive in Charge of Production. Amy Doyle is co-Executive Producer. Joanna Bomberg is Executive in Charge of Music and Talent. Jen Jones is Producer. Hamish Hamilton is Director. Robin Reinhardt-Locke is Celebrity Talent Executive.

Official sponsors of the "2009 MTV Video Music Awards" are 5 (R) Gum, Febreze, Pepsi, Rhapsody (R), Sears, Taco Bell, U.S. Army and Verizon Wireless.

The "2009 MTV Video Music Awards" will be available to a potential viewing audience of more than 1.2 billion people via MTV's global network of 68 channels reaching 577 million households around the world as well as through syndication. In addition, its convergent programming & content will reach the entire interactive community, via MTV's more than 200 digital media properties around the world.

Source: Mtv

The announcement of the final nominees for the 2009 CMA Awards will be carried live on Wednesday, Sept. 9, from the "Good Morning America" studios in the heart of New York City's Times Square on the ABC Television Network.

"The 43rd Annual CMA Awards" will be broadcast live from the Sommet Center in Nashville Wednesday, Nov. 11 (8:00-11:00 PM ET/delayed PT) on ABC and is hosted for the second year by reigning CMA Male Vocalist of the Year Brad Paisley and reigning CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Carrie Underwood. (shown below)

The final nominees in select categories will be announced by Darius Rucker, who has quickly established himself as a fan and industry favorite with three No. 1 singles to his credit, and Lee Ann Womack, a former CMA Female Vocalist of the Year with 18 career CMA Awards nominations to her credit. The live announcements will take place during the 8:30 AM/ET half-hour of the morning news program.

"I was so honored to perform at the 2008 CMA Awards Show, and I feel privileged to be a part of this year's nominee announcement," said Rucker.

Rucker first came to prominence as the lead vocalist and songwriter for the pop group Hootie & The Blowfish, whose 1994 debut, Cracked Rear View, sold more than 16 million copies to become one of the best-selling albums in history. In early 2007, Rucker signed with Capitol Records Nashville and has since been embraced by the Country Music community with his chart-topping 2008 debut, Learn To Live - an album that has produced three consecutive No. 1 singles. Rucker's transition has been highly praised, with The New York Times proclaiming he has "one of the year's most vibrant Country albums." Rucker is currently on tour with Rascal Flatts.

"The excitement that comes with the announcements of the CMA Award nominations brings me such delight every year," Womack said. "I can remember watching the Awards as a young Texas girl and dreaming of one day being a part of something that brings such honor to what I've always been so passionate about. It's a time to celebrate the artists, songwriters, musicians, producers and the industry in general."

Womack has sold more than six million albums, won two Grammy's, numerous other milestone awards, and received notoriety for her last album There's More Where That Came From. Released February of '05 on CD and classic vinyl, There's More swept CMA Award trophies the fall of the same year for Album of the Year and Single of the Year ("I May Hate Myself In The Morning"). She is also recognized for No. 1 singles "The Fool," "A Little Past Little Rock," "I'll Think Of A Reason Later," and the mega smash "I Hope You Dance." Womack's current album Call Me Crazy has garnered critical acclaim from Rolling Stone, USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, Billboard, and The New York Times, to name a few. Debut single "Last Call" was nominated for a Grammy earlier this year in the "Best Female Country Vocal Performance" category. Visit www.leeannwomack.com to see the video for her latest, "Solitary Thinkin'."

In addition to the nominee announcements, Chuck Wicks will announce the finalists for the 2009 CMA Broadcast Personality and Radio Station of the Year in four categories (small, medium, large, and major markets) as well as the finalists for the CMA National Broadcast Personality of the Year live on Premiere Radio Networks from their New York studios.

"I am thrilled once again to be able to announce the Broadcast Nominees," explained Wicks. "Country radio has been so supportive of me this year and I'm happy to be able to be back again and be a part of these special announcements."

RCA Nashville recording artist Wicks found an instant hit with his first single, "Stealing Cinderella," from his debut album, Starting Now. The song climbed to No. 5 and was the first single from a new Country artist to crack the Top 5 in 2008. His follow-up single, "All I Ever Wanted," also soared up the Country charts and marked his second consecutive Top 15 hit. After a hugely successful run as the opening act on the final leg of Brad Paisley's "Bonfires & Amplifiers" Tour in 2007, Wicks rejoined Paisley in 2008 for the "Hershey's Presents the Paisley Party Tour." In 2009, Wicks has been on tour on his own playing at festivals across the country.

The audio announcement of the CMA Awards nominees and Broadcast Awards finalists will be available via satellite and FTP from CMA's official radio partner Premiere Radio Networks. Premiere has provided outstanding, radio coverage of the CMA Awards nominations for more than a decade.

As part of their comprehensive 2009 CMA Awards radio package, Premiere Radio Networks will offer the 2009 CMA Awards Nominations Special hosted by Senior Producer of Country Programming Rosemary Young, a preview special, Red Carpet features, a live feed of the Awards gala, and a backstage wrap up show. Any Country radio station interested in receiving the radio package, including the nominations feed, may contact Premiere Affiliate Relations at (818) 377-5300.

The 2008 CMA Awards, held in Nashville during November Sweeps (Nov. 12), ranked behind only the Academy Awards and Grammy Awards during the 2008-2009 season for awards shows among total viewers. With "The 42nd Annual CMA Awards," ABC won Wednesday evening in both total viewers (15.9 million) and adults 18-49 (5.0/13). According to Nielsen research, 34.6 million unique viewers 2+ watched six minutes or more of the program.

The CMA Awards nominees and winners are determined by the 6,000 plus industry professional members of CMA, which was the first trade organization formed to promote an individual genre of music in 1958. The first "CMA Awards Banquet and Show" was held in 1967. The following year, the CMA Awards were broadcast on NBC television for the first time - making it the longest running, annual music awards program on network television. The show aired on NBC through 1971 and on the CBS Television Network from 1972 through 2005 before moving to ABC in 2006.

"The 43rd Annual CMA Awards" is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the Executive Producer, Paul Miller is the Director, and David Wild is the writer. The special will be shot in high definition and broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound.

ABC News' "Good Morning America" is co-anchored by Diane Sawyer and Robin Roberts. Chris Cuomo is the news anchor and Sam Champion is the weather anchor. The Emmy Award-winning morning news broadcast airs live Monday through Friday from 7:00 to 9:00 AM/ET on the ABC Television Network. Jim Murphy is the senior executive producer and Tom Cibrowski is the executive producer of ABC News' "Good Morning America."

Premiere Radio Networks is the official radio packager of the CMA Awards. American Airlines is the official airline of the 2009 CMA Awards. Chevy: The Official Ride of Country Music.

SOURCE Country Music Association

Taped From The Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), Howard Gilman Opera House in Brooklyn, New York

"30 Rock's" Tracy Morgan Returns as Host for the Third Time to Commemorate One of the Greatest Record Labels of Hip Hop

Back for its sixth year saluting the best in hip hop, VH1's Hip Hop Honors 2009 will celebrate the achievements of one of hip hop's greatest brands -- Def Jam Records. The music event will tape from the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) Howard Gilman Opera House in Brooklyn, New York, and air on VH1 on Tuesday, October 13 at 9:00 PM ET/PT.

VH1's Hip Hop Honors 2009 celebrates the 25th Anniversary of Def Jam in a show filled with the stars of this venerable label, as well as funny, painful and inspiring stories from its most renowned creators. Hosting for the third time is "'30 Rock's" Tracy Morgan. This year, the music, the influence and the artists from Def Jam's history past and present will be recognized through performances in collaboration with some of today's hottest talent. Generations of hip hop will bridge the gap for one exceptional night to set it off with the original style and flavor that sparked and inspired the evolution of this now global music phenomenon. Previous celebrations have honored hip hop luminaries who broke new ground and propelled the genre into the true cultural phenomenon that it has become. Last year's honorees included Cypress Hill, De La Soul, Naughty by Nature, Slick Rick and Too $hort. Additional talent will be announced as it is confirmed.

VH1's Hip Hop Honors 2009 is the first time that the show has honored a record label. For 25 years, Def Jam created the stars that pushed hip hop culture forward, including LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Jay Z, Kanye West, Slick Rick, Rick Ross and Rihanna. The men behind the scenes are as legendary as its artists, including Rick Rubin, Russell Simmons, Lyor Cohen, Kevin Liles and LA Reid. The Def Jam brand didn't just innovate in music, it also launched a breakthrough comedy show (Def Comedy Jam), a dynamic spoken-word showcase (Def Poetry Jam), and set trends in fashion, film and advertising. Def Jam led a cultural movement that changed the world.

"It is impossible to pay tribute to the best in hip hop without recognizing Def Jam Records. Throughout the years VH1 has honored numerous artists from the Def Jam label, but due to the magnificent impact that Def Jam as a company has made on not only hip hop culture but pop culture as a whole, we thought they definitely deserved the opportunity to be honored," says Lee Rolontz, EVP of Music Production.

Performances and other video elements from "VH1 Hip Hop Honors 2009" will be available on VH1.com and VH1 Mobile leading up to and following the on-air premiere of the show. Honoree profiles, exclusive online programming, show information and more will be available on VH1.com this summer.

"VH1 Hip Hop Honors 2009" is executive produced by Lee Rolontz for VH1 and Jac Benson for blacjac Entertainment. Louis J. Horvitz will direct. Nelson George and Fab 5 Freddie are co-executive producers.

*All times ET/PT

VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with TV series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in 95 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital channels and services including VH1Classic, VH1 Soul, VH1 Mobile, VH1Games and extensive broadband video on VH1.com. Connect with VH1 at VH1.com.

Source: VH1

MTV.COM UNVEILED OFFICIAL NOMINEE VOTING SITE ON MONDAY, APRIL 13

Show Set to Air Live on Sunday, May 31 at 9PM (ET/PT) from Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California

Eminem, one of music's most captivating performers, is set to take the stage at the 2009 MTV MOVIE AWARDS. Eminem's performance comes days after the release of his anticipated album Relapse, available May 19. Hosted by Andy Samberg, the eighteenth annual MTV MOVIE AWARDS will air on Sunday, May 31st at 9PM (Live ET/Tape Delayed PT.) Presenters and additional performers will be announced at a later date.

For the first time in Movie Awards history, MTV is letting the fans participate in the nominee process. Beginning Monday, April 13, voting will open and viewers will be able to select the 2009 MTV MOVIE AWARDS nominees from an eligibility list of over 200 movies on movieawards.mtv.com. MTV Mobile will also enable viewers on the go to text VOTE to 66333 to vote for nominees in the Best Movie category from their mobile phone. Voting for this round will close on April 20.

On May 4, the 2009 MTV MOVIE AWARDS nominees will officially be announced. Viewers will also have the opportunity to vote on the winners online and on their mobile phones. This second round of voting will close on May 18, with the exception of Best Movie which will remain open through the show. For more on MTV's ongoing movies coverage, check out http://www.mtv.com/movies/.

Eminem's "We Made You" debuted on MTV.com on April 7, 2009, and currently stands as the biggest music video debut of all time on the site, with more than 758K streams in its first 24 hours, breaking the previous record by 15%.

Eminem has sold more than 75,000,000 albums worldwide. His previous studio album, Encore, reached #1 and dominated the charts in late 2004. Certified quadruple platinum and spinning off four Top 40 Hot 100 hits, the Grammy-nominated disc has sold more than 11,000,000 copies around the globe. The #1, double platinum, 2005 greatest hits collection, Curtain Call: The Hits and #2, platinum, 2006 various artists compilation, Eminem Presents: The Re- Up, followed. In October 2008, Eminem released "Eminem: The Way I Am", a book compiling thoughts, stories, and memorabilia from various points in his life. The book entered the New York Times Best-Seller list at #11.

Mark Burnett will serve as Executive Producer for the 2009 MTV MOVIE AWARDS. Audrey Morrissey is Co-Executive Producer. Lee Rolontz is Executive Producer for MTV, Garrett English is Executive in charge for MTV and Jane Mun serves as Producer. Robin Reinhardt-Locke is Celebrity Talent Executive.

Source: MTV