2004 UNITY Awards

[geo]

The UNITY awards aren't run by CAM. John Michael Talbot runs CAM, and he is not a big supporter of the UNITY awards. HeartBeat Records run the UNITY awards, and for some strange reason, their artists win most of the awards. Dana (sister of the owner of Heartbeat) won album of the year a few years back for an album that was almost 10 years old. I guess you'd call that staying power.

Many artists I know are very leary of the awards. You don't have to be a member of any organization to be nominated, but you have to pay the UNITY committee to be a member and vote. I raised a few feathers myself this year when I blasted them about the nominees this year, and asked them why Phatmass wasn't nominated, and that Rich Mullins was nominated as writer of the year? Talk about being a "ghost writer". I'm not a member, so my comments weren't met with much joy, but I do have access to many of the artists, and they did hear my beef, if the agreed or not. By the way, I was told later by the artist who nominated Rich, it was because of a remake of one of his songs. I think that was a kind guesture on the artists part, but the committee should have spoken up about it.

I could go on and on about my trouble with that award system. I've not been a fan since they started. Some good people do win, like Critical Mass, but it's not a way to messure anything.

I'll stop my ranting. God bless,
-Geo

[ryanmeyersmusic]

my mistake, it's the united catholic music and video association, not cam


[quote name='UCMVA.com']This is the first time that Catholic musicians and Catholic video producers have joined together in an association of unity. The purpose of this association is to support, encourage and promote the development of all forms of Catholic oriented Christian music and video. This includes: Liturgical, Praise and Worship, Contemporary and Instrumental Compositions.

      Catholic oriented music and video productions have grown and become diversified throughout the years, but their purpose and intention has remained consistent and focused on "Keeping the Faith Alive" and spreading God's message of Unity, Love and Evangelization.

      As an umbrella organization, the UCMVA creates an atmosphere in which artists, producers, arrangers, retail stores, radio stations, concert promoters, dioceses, and parishes can come together and unify their efforts in order to benefit the organization as a whole.

      The Unity Awards is the UCMVA's premier event of the year and consists of a day full of educational seminars for its members, music professionals and those who aspire to a career in the Christian music and video industry. The day culminates with the Unity Awards presented by the UCMVA for the purpose of honoring the achievements and excellence in various categories of music and video.

      It is the hope of the UCMVA that individual members from around the world will not only receive many benefits from the knowledge of the association, but will forge together in unity and spread the word of God through its music and video presentations.[/quote]

[SevenSorrows]

I am not saying it is a money ploy. It just seems kinda cheesy. If I pay enough money, I can nominate my band, then vote for myself to get an award. It is kinda like going to a carnival. If you pay enough money, you are gonna win something. Of course it would be cool to win one of the awards, maybe next year we will pay money and do it. It is just kinda funny cause it doesn't mean anything. It is neat to win, but it is kinda all just for the ego. It is not like their are huge Catholic record labels that are going to scoop you up after you win.