RULES FOR ELIGIBILITY AND GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSIONS

December 2022  AMENDED Dates of eligiblilty

Part 1: Eligibility

 

1A) The eligibility period is from January 1st, 2022, through to July 31, 2023, except in the case of Album of the Year, in which the eligibility period will be 2 eligibility periods. In each category there is a BC resident requirement, meaning that the nominees must either:

 

1.       Live in British Columbia
2.       Have resided in BC for an accumulated total of six (6) months prior to July 31st of the current year or
3.       Were born in British Columbia
4.       In the case of a Group or Duo at least 50% of the Group or Duo must meet the B.C. eligibility requirement.
5. “Released” is defined as “made commercially available to radio or live streaming platforms for airplay”
6. Nominees have the right, should they so desire, have their name eliminated from any particular category other than in the ‘Top Selling Album’, ‘Top Selling Single’ and  ‘Songwriter’ of the year categories. If there are duplicate nominees in those categories, i.e. the same artist is nominated for more than one song or if the same songwriter(s) and same Artist are duplicate nominees, the nominee with the most suggestions will be left in the category. Artists have the right to keep duplicate nominations in the category if they so choose.

 

1. There must be three (3) nominees in any particular category in order for that category to remain in that current year. Where there are fewer than the minimum required submissions, they will be automatically eligible in the same category for the following year. The BCCMA’s intent is to present a minimum of five (5) nominations in each category.
2. If a nominee wins in the same Award Category five (5) consecutive years in a row, on the 5th win, the winner will be given a ‘BCCMA Gold Achievement Award’, and then he or she will be ineligible to be nominated for 1 year for that category. For 10 wins a ‘BCCMA Platinum Achievement Award’ and for 15 plus wins get the ‘BCCMA Diamond Achievement Award’ and so forth with a 1-year break between each achievement.
3. Only paid members can nominate members, be nominated in the final ballot, win and vote for BCCMA Awards. The balloting process is administered and managed by the BCCMA Board, and Award Show Ballot Committee, ensuring that all nominees in each category are members in good standing.
4. Voting rules and awards are subject to change at the discretion of the BCCMA Board of Directors and the Award Show Balloting Committee. The BCCMA board of directors and the award show balloting committee will select the individual voting list from the first round of suggestion ballot.. The selection will come from a combination of numbers represented by the suggestion ballot votes, along with the artist/industry members who may not be well known by members, but who deserve recognition.
5. Unless otherwise indicated, first-ballot nominations in all categories are decided upon by members, the balloting committee, and the board of directors.   

 

Part 2: Guidelines 

FANS CHOICE AWARD (Fans only vote) Fans do not have to be members to vote.

 

This award is given to the Act (Solo, Duo, or Group) displaying the greatest competence in all aspects of the entertainment field. The voters should give consideration not only to the recorded performance but also to live performance, staging, public acceptance, attitude, leadership, and overall contributions to the B.C. country music image. 

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR (Fan, Industry, Corporate & Board of Directors vote)

 

This award is presented to the Act (Solo, Duo, or Group) displaying the greatest competence in all aspects of the entertainment field including, but not limited to, recorded performance, live performance, videos, staging, public acceptance, and overall contributions to B.C. country music. BCCMA board members are not eligible to be nominated.

 

The Board of Directors and Voting Committee will review all aspects of the above as well as streaming/spins from a Top 10 list to determine the final nominees 

From the five nominees, the winner will be determined by the following breakdown:

o 50% based on statistics (sales, spins)

o 25% based on board/committee vote

o 25% based on membership vote.

 

 FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR (Fan, Industry, Corporate & Board of Directors vote)

This award is presented to the female artist based on her achievements in all aspects of the entertainment field including, but not limited to, recorded performance, live performance, videos, success at radio, staging, public acceptance, and overall contributions to B.C. country music. Artist must be known as a solo performer at least 50% of the time.

The five nominees will be determined by the following:

o   40% Sales, new content released during the eligibility period

o   40% spins, new content release during the eligibility period

o   20% Board of Directors/committee vote based on overall activity (social media presence, live performances, fan engagement)

 MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR (Fans, Industry, Corporate & Board of Directors)

 This award is presented to the male artist based on his achievements in all aspects of the entertainment field including, but not limited to, recorded performance, live performance, videos, success at radio, staging, public acceptance, and overall contributions to B.C. country music. Artist must be known as a solo performer at least 50% of the time.

The five nominees will be determined by the following:

o   40% Sales, new content released during the eligibility period

o   40% spins, new content release during the eligibility period

o   20% Board of Directors/committee vote based on overall activity (social media presence, live performances, fan engagement)

 

 GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR (Fans, Industry, Corporate & Board of Directors vote)

 A Group or Duo is defined as an Act, composed of two or more people, all of who normally perform together and none of whom is known primarily as an individual performing artist. This Award is based on the performance of the Group or Duo as a unit, based on their achievements recorded and/or live performance, and contribution to country music in British Columbia. In the case of a Group or Duo at least 50% of the Group or Duo must meet the B.C. eligibility requirement.

The five nominees will be determined by the following:

o   40% Sales, new content released during the eligibility period

o   40% spins, new content release during the eligibility period

o   20% Board of Directors/committee vote based on overall activity (social media presence, live performances, fan engagement)

 

VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR (Industry & Corporate vote)

This award will be given to a Director of a video or lyric video that displays visual and artistic merit in addition to comprehensive production value. (Still photos with lyrics are not acceptable) Any subgenre of country music, including mainstream, Roots Canadiana, Bluegrass, and Traditional are acceptable.

 

VIDEO OF THE YEAR (Fans, Industry & Corporate vote)

This award goes to the Artist. The eligible video must feature a released BC artist’s song. This award will be given to an artist with a video or lyric video that displays visual and artistic merit in addition to comprehensive production value. (Still photos with lyrics are not acceptable, the video must be live-action) Any sub-genre of country music, including mainstream, Roots Canadiana, Bluegrass, and Traditional are acceptable. The video does not need to be directed by a BC Director. 

 

RAY MCAULEY EMERGING ARTIST AWARD (Fan, Industry & Corporate vote)

 This award is presented to an act, female, male, duo, or group which is emerging into the country music scene and who is new to performing and is based on their achievements, which may include recorded and/or live performance and contribution to country music in British Columbia. No act may be a final ballot nominee than twice for this award or have previously won any other BCCMA award, or have been a final ballot nominee for Entertainer of the Year, Group or Duo of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Male Artist of the Year or Album or Video of the Year. Nominees in this category are also eligible in other categories in the current year.

 

SINGLE OF THE YEAR (Fan, Industry & Corporate vote)

 This award is for single records only. Tracks from albums are not eligible unless they have been released as singles during the eligibility period. This award is presented to the Act (Solo, Duo, or Group) and is based on artistic performance, which includes widespread acceptance through radio airplay, live streaming, or other mass media outlets. The song need not have been written by a B.C. resident. Submit by single title and Act.

o   A single is considered released on the day the track was made available to Canadian country radio as a single. The primary source used to determine this information is DMDS.

o   A list of the Top 20 spinning singles and a list of the top 20 consumed (sales and streams) singles will be provided to the BCCMA.

o   The 5 final nominees will be determined by the Board of Directors and a voting committee based on a combination of streams/spins.

 

RECORDING PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR (Industry, Corporate & Board Of Directors vote)

 This award recognizes an individual for their talent, achievement, and contributions in the area of recording. It honors those involved behind the scenes of country music production, including, but not limited to session singers, session musicians, and audio engineers. An individual who is nominated in the Producer of the Year category cannot be nominated in both categories.  The nominee can decide which category to continue on with. This category is not for recognizing producers as there is already a Producer category.  This is a different award that recognizes non-production-related skills. The nominee list would be decided by nominations from the balloting committee. So, if a producer is nominated into this category by the balloting committee, it must be for reasons aside from their work/role related to being a producer.

 

INDUSTRY PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR (Industry, Corporate & Board Of Directors vote)

This award recognizes and honors an individual for their talent, achievement, and contributions in the area of country music, including, but not limited to photographers, set designers, graphic designers, live streaming, agents, consultants, managers, publicists, and more.

 

ALBUM OF THE YEAR (Fan, Industry, Corporate & Board of Directors vote)

 This award is for an Album or EP as a whole unit. They are defined as a project containing no less than five tracks and can be a special project or commemorative package. This award is presented to the Act (Solo, Duo, or Group) and is judged on all aspects including, but not limited to performance, production, and design. Greatest Hits albums do not qualify. The songs need not have been written by a B.C. resident. Submit by album title and Act. The eligibility for this award is 2 years. August first of the year before last, to July 31st of the current year. An album that won the previous year, is not eligible to be nominated in the current year. A new album by the same artist is eligible in the current year. Nominated albums from the previous year are also eligible to be nominated again in the current year.

 

SOCAN SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR (Industry & Corporate vote)

Given to a songwriter who is a past or current BC resident, based on his/her achievements during the qualifying period. Based on the overall public acceptance that may include radio airplay, online streams, Film/TV placements, or other media forms. The achievement level can be based on one song or multiple songs. 

Candidates can include an artist who performs their own material, or writers who place their songs with other artists or media projects either domestically or Internationally.

GAYLORD WOOD TRADITIONAL COUNTRY AWARD (Industry, Corporate & Board of Directors vote)

 This award is presented to the Act (Solo, Duo, or Group) in the country music industry whose music is based on traditional country style, but through innovations and originality is different from what is considered

‘Mainstream Country,’ such as Classic Country, Bluegrass, Western Swing, Old-Time, and Honky-Tonk.

 “This award is intended to preserve the integrity of Traditional Country Music and the instruments that contribute to its authentic sound.”

This award is decided upon the submission of charts, stats and bullet points for review by the committee and board of directors. From there, the nominees are voted upon by industry and corporate members.

 

ROOTS/CANADIANA AWARD (Industry, Corporate & Board of Directors vote)

Roots music embraces a multitude of musical styles including but not limited to Alternative Country, Gospel, Folk, Country Blues, Rockabilly, Singer /Songwriter, Canadiana, and Americana. 

This award is decided upon the submission of charts, stats and bullet points for review by the committee and board of directors. From there, the nominees are voted upon by industry and corporate members.

 

COUNTRY ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR (Fan, Industry & Corporate vote)

This award recognizes the individual(s) who exemplifies the development of B.C. country talent through his/her presentation on-air, which brings value, a sense of community, knowledge of country music, and the ability to communicate. Including, but not limited to radio personality, TV host, syndication, webcast, and/or podcasts.

 

INTERACTIVE ARTIST OF THE YEAR AWARD (Fan, Industry & Corporate vote)

This award is given to the Act (solo, Duo, or Group) to recognize excellence based on all aspects of the B.C Act’s interaction with fans via social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Website, etc.) showcasing an act’s innovative, original, and engaging thinking.

 

HALL OF FAME (Board of Directors Vote)

The recipient of this award will be based on the decision made by the BCCMA Board of Directors and the Award Show Balloting Committee. This award recognizes long-term contributions to the growth and development of B.C. Country Music. The recipient may be living or deceased, an artist, builder, or broadcaster, but must be recognized for his/her achievements in B.C.

 

MIKE NORMAN ALL-STAR BAND (Industry & Corporate vote)

 These awards are designed to recognize individual instrumentalists on record or stage and who are known primarily as instrumental performers. Multiple instrumentalists are eligible in more than one category. Instrumentalists must meet the B.C. residency requirement.

• BASS
• DRUMS
• GUITAR
• KEYBOARD
• FIDDLE MANDOLIN STEEL
• GUITAR / DOBRO
• SPECIALINSTRUMENT – such as Banjo, Saxophone, Harmonica, Accordion, and all wind instruments

 

RECORDING STUDIO OF THE YEAR (Industry & Corporate vote)

This Award recognizes a B.C. recording establishment that facilitates and supports the production of B.C. country music products released during the eligibility period.

 

DON ADAMS BCCMA INDUSTRY SUPPORTER OF THE YEAR (Industry, Corporate vote)

This award is presented to a group, organization, or individual, performing or non-performing, in recognition of time and talent devoted to the advancement of country music in British Columbia. This award can only be won once (1) and board members are not eligible.

 

 PRODUCER OF THE YEAR (Industry & Corporate vote)

This award is presented to the BC individual displaying the most creative production skills in the recording studio, whose work was released during the eligibility period and has received widespread public acceptance/radio airplay. *The producer of the year will not be eligible for the Industry Professional of the Year for the same role.

This award is voted upon by suggestion by members, committee, and board of directors. Submittal is required upon acceptance. 

PRESIDENT’S CITATION AWARD (President’s Presentation)

 This award is presented to an individual, group, or organization with the sole decision made by the acting President of the BCCMA.

 

 

 

BCCMA Impulse Award (Board of Directors vote) 

’Recognizes artists and/or other music Industry support persons in the early stages of their country music careers, or those who may be recognized in one role and are re-establishing themselves in another area of the Industry.

Bands, instrumentalists, vocalists, and industry professionals who are relatively new to Country music and have shown, for the first time in their careers, outstanding contributions to their particular field during the eligibility period.  

Broadly defined, roles in industry involvement may include journalists, broadcasters (radio, TV, podcasts, internet/web, and other forms), photographers, graphic designers, music producers, sound engineers, video directors, event promoters, publicists, agents, and other innovators. 

Candidates are considered on the degree to which they have contributed to country music in general, or to a specific part of the industry, whether regionally, nationally, or worldwide. 

’Those who are final ballot candidates in another category(s) are not eligible for the Impulse Award.’

 

 

 INTERNATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD (Industry and Corporate vote)

To honor a BC artist, musician, songwriter, or Studio professional on their achievements outside of British Columbia whether part-time or full-time in another country.

This award is decided upon the submission of charts, stats and bullet points for review by the committee and board of directors. From there, the nominees are voted upon by industry and corporate members.

 

 COUNTRY VENUE OF THE YEAR (Fan, Industry & Corporate vote) Untabled

This award is presented to the Country Venue most supportive of BC Country Music and Artists. The venue will hold a maximum seating capacity of 1000 and must meet a dedicated percentage of days to country events/shows per year (20%) and/or dedicated country entertainment on a regularly scheduled basis.

 

TABLED AWARDS –  These will stay tabled

TOP SELLING SINGLE OF THE YEAR (Industry & Corporate vote)

This award is presented to the act (solo, duo, or group) of a BC Country music single, based upon sales in Canada, both digital and streamed, within the current eligibility period.

TOP SELLING ALBUM OF THE YEAR (Industry & Corporate vote)

This award is presented to the act (solo, duo, or group) of a BC Country music album, based upon record sales in Canada, including physical, digital, and streamed, within the current eligibility period. An album is defined as a collection of several pieces of music made available as a single item. The album can be a new recording of previously released material.

COUNTRY CLUB ACT OF THE YEAR (Fan, Industry & Corporate vote)

 An Act is defined as a Solo, Duo, or Group that regularly performs together in B.C. country clubs. This Award is based on the performance and contribution to country music in B.C.

 RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR (Fan, Industry & Corporate vote)

This award recognizes the radio station that exemplifies the development of B.C. country talent through their on-air and community support.

 

 

Clarification: 

All aspects of the entertainment field meaning all areas are considered, but not limited to recorded performance, live performance, videos, staging, public acceptance, spins, sales, and overall contributions to B.C. country music.

 

Eligibility period has been adjusted for the pandemic and will be adjusted in future years as we move forward.

Any board members nominated in any category must leave the meeting while any discussion    or voting takes place