[FM] DC WAMMIES

[Robbie White]

Tom Neff asked about the Wammies - the Washington Area Music Association
(WAMA) has received a lot of suggestions about how to improve the Wammies.
In spite of what you think, there are many people who have been nominated
for awards over the years that have NEVER received a Wammie. And the
Kennedys did release a CD in 1998 called "Angel Fire", which was nominated.
You can be nominated for a Wammie in a year in which you did not release
anything - all you have to do is perform in the DC area. That is why Pete
Kennedy has over 20 Wammies since the first year of the awards (1985).

I myself have sent in MANY suggestions to WAMA on how to improve the
process. I feel that they are constantly improving every year. And they do
try to recognize all types of music.

Robbie White

[Alan sez: It can be very very difficult. I've served on the nominating committee for the SAMMY awards in Syracuse and music is so unique, it can be hard to find categories that honor the diversity within the community. I remember one year specifically. The biggest drawing, hottest band in town was a rythm and blues band called "Little Georgie and the Shufflin' Hungarians." They played the mainstream clubs and colleges while many of the fine black bands in the community get much more limited exposure. (and being less known, had little chance of garnering anywhere near the votes that LG&TSH could.) I was frustrated that we couldn't find a way to categorize the awards so that the black bands at least had a chance of recognition. I was also stymied in my efforts to add music educator awards for the folks who helped develop in upstate NY some of the finest musicians anywhere. It's challenging, and I'm thankful that many areas are at least trying to build awareness of the richness of resouces within their local musical communities.]