Nominations Rules & Regulations
The RAMI Nominations Committee will be comprised of a member of the RAMI Executive Committee who will act as chairperson, members of the Hall of Fame, venue operators, booking agents and others involved in music related fields. RAMI Organization members will have precedence in Committee make-up.
The winners of the RAMI Awards will be chosen by the combined votes of eligible members of the Rockford Area Music Industry Musicians’ Organization also known as RAMIO.
RAMI will present one trophy to the winning band/performer. It will be the responsibility of the other members of a winning band to purchase a trophy, if they wish.
Nominations Criteria:
1) Nominees are not required to be members of the Rockford Area Music Industry Musicians’ Organization. Anyone can place a name in nomination. However, nomination forms that do not contain all required information and materials will not be considered. A valid nomination form does not guarantee a place on the ballot. The eligibility period for each year's awards is the preceding calendar year. For example, the April, 2012 Awards Ceremony will honor the efforts for the eligibility year January 1 through December 31, 2011.
2) The artist must have worked a minimum of eight (8) public performances during the eligibility period within a fifty (50) mile radius of the center of Rockford (intersection of State St. and Main St.).
3) To be eligible all artists, technicians and recording studios must legally reside within the 50 mile radius (same as above) or in the case of performance groups have half or more of its members meeting the residency requirement.
4) All prospective nominees must submit at least one (1) song in digital format (CD, DVD or MP3) for consideration. Performers who are eventually nominated will have this song linked to their name on the ballot. All songs submitted must include song-writing credit for its author(s).
5) To be considered for an originals category, the artist’s live performances must contain at least fifty (50) percent original material. Recordings must contain at least seventy five (75) percent original content.
6) Requests by artists to have their names removed from the ballot will be honored.
7) All nomination submissions, including Critic's Choice Awards are due no later than December 31. Submissions can begin as soon as artist becomes eligible and nomination forms are made available at the RAMI web site.
Nominations can be submitted on-line at www.ramiawards.com. On-line submissions must include a MP3 in proper format. Submission forms can be downloaded at www.ramiawards.com and mailed with digital format recording to:
RAMI Nomination
P.O. Box 4128
Rockford, IL 61105
Nomination categories listed on the web site generally reflect what awards were given out the previous year. These may be changed to more accurately reflect the evolution of the local music scene. Categories may be renamed, consolidated or eliminated from year to year. Generally, a category requires at least three nominees to be included on the ballot. If this requirement is not met, every effort will be made to place remaining submissions in another category. Therefore, it is important that each nomination form be as detailed and as accurate as possible in describing the artist's genre. Give a first and second choice from previous award categories that are the closest fit. You may also include a phrase of your own that best describes the artist's style.
Artists should specify whether they perform primarily original or cover material. This may also determine your award category. Generally, any live performance that regularly consists of 50% or more original material would constitute an “original” artist.
The winners of the RAMI Awards will be chosen by the combined votes of eligible members of the RAMI Organization. Participation in on-line voting is limited to RAMI Organization members in good standing. Each member- as identified by their I.D. number- is allowed to fill out one ballot.
In the event that fewer than twenty-five (25) votes are cast in any category, the RAMI Steering Committee in conjunction with the Nominating committee may decide the winner. (This clause has never been invoked, but exists only to prevent a victory by voter indifference.)
One trophy will be presented to the winning artist(s) in each category. In case of ties one award will be presented to each artist. Any additional trophies are the sole responsibility of the artist.
TECHNICIAN’S AWARDS
Lighting Technician
Live Sound Engineer
Recording Studio
Stage Manager
Studio Sound Engineer
Stage Hand/Riggers
MUSIC CATEGORIES
Contemporary Jazz - Artist to perform 50% original music.
Traditional Jazz -Artist performs primarily cover material.
Choral Group - Will combine cover bands and original work
Christian/Gospel - Cover/Original music
Cabaret Broadway and Special Musical Event Awards
Classical Ensemble
Classical Instrumentalist
Acoustic Rock/Folk - Cover/Original music
Latino - Cover/Original music
World Music
Country/Bluegrass - Cover/Original music
Funk/R & B - Cover/original music
Blues - Cover/Original
Indie/Alternative - Cover/Original music
Tribute Band - Cover only
Oldies/Classic Rock Cover only
Hard Rock/Metal - Cover/Original music
RAP/HIP HOP - Cover/Original music
Contemporary Rock - Cover/Original music
POP - Cover/Original music
DJ - Candidate must perform either solo or as part of a group by incorporating his or her original mixes, samples, loops, beats and scratches.
Female Lead Vocalist -The award will be based on individual performance from the CD/DVD submission.
Male Lead Vocalist -The award will be based on individual performance from the CD/DVD submission.
New Act - Cover/Originals
RAMI Nomination Guidelines for Critics Choice Awards et. al.
The following award recipients will be determined by the RAMI Steering Committee and Ad Hoc Nominations Committee. Members of those two committees who are being considered for any of these awards will abstain from participating in the selection process.
Anyone may submit a nomination for these awards however, recording awards (Song, Composer and Album of the Year) must be accompanied by a completed nomination form and two (2) digital copies of the project. Nominations for the other awards in this section (Outstanding Achievement, Lifetime Achievement, Community Service/Outreach and In Memoriam) must include a concise summary of the nominee's qualifications for the award.
Hall of Fame
Artist receiving five (5) RAMI Awards in a category will be inducted into the Hall of Fame
Song of the Year
Award is presented to artist (solo, duo or group) for a song or musical composition that was released during the eligibility year. Artist must designate two (2) tracks from album-length CD or EP submissions for consideration in this category. Single track recordings may also be nominated.
Album of the Year
This award is for album-length recording projects released during the eligibility year. Album-length shall be defined as a project containing no less than six (6) tracks or thirty-six minutes of material. Album will be judged as a complete package, on all aspects including quality of performance, composition/arrangement, production, design and liner notes.
Composer of the Year
This award recipient is chosen based on song/music composition abilities as exhibited in a body of work released in a given eligibility year. This typically (though not exclusively) will be for an album-length CD release.
Lifetime Achievement
This award is given to an active member (unless prevented by ill health) of the RAMI Community who has dedicated a substantial portion of his/her life towards the enhancement of the local music scene. Recipients need not be RAMI Organization members, but must currently live in the Rockford Area (within 50 mile radius of State and Main) and have a minimum of twenty years total residence and performance in said area. Nominees will be evaluated not only on their excellence or achievement within their own field but also for showing leadership within the community to promote broader access to, participation in and understanding of music and the arts.
No more than two (2) Lifetime Achievement Awards will be presented for any eligibility year.
Community Service/Outreach
Candidate (individual or organization) must be based and actively promoting or performing live music within the previously designated RAMI area. Recipients will have shown an on-going dedication towards creating a positive impact on the local community through music education and entertainment. Particular consideration will be given to those who have directed their efforts to engage those members of our community who are for physical or economic reasons less able to fully participate in Rockford's rich, music scene.
The following two (2) awards are adjunct divisions of the Hall of Fame. Recipients are considered to be full-fledged members of the RAMI Hall of Fame.
Outstanding Achievement
Candidate must have spent a significant portion of his/her/their life within the Rockford Area (as previously described). Individual or group shall have achieved a national or international level of recognition in some facet of the music field, or have served the community in such a manner as to bring positive, national or international exposure to the local music community.
In Memoriam
This award is presented to artists who have passed away during the previous year and who have not previously received either a Lifetime Achievement or Outstanding Achievement Award. Recipients must essentially meet most of the requirements for the Lifetime Achievement Award.
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS
Artist of the Year - Anyone can submit and can include Hall of Fame bands, cover and originals
Favorite Radio Station
Favorite Music Venue’s
