Why #7

7) Use it as a vehicle to raise money for arts programs.


Specifically, one goal is to raise a substantial sum each year, have central KY high schools submit an application, and choose a different winner each year to donate to their school music program.

Why #6

6) Use it as a vehicle to educate.

If you've been to an awards show, you've seen how different the performance line-up is than any other awards performance lineup anywhere, at any time. Rock, jazz, folk, classical, country, pop, bluegrass, and more! All of us (event organizers to professional players to music fans) get an education on the depth and breadth of not only area music, but music as a whole.

Why #5

5) Use it as a vehicle to launch other artist-aiding projects.

A nexus from which to expand into events like the Lexi-Fest Concert Series (we've organized dozens of these shows in Lexington, Georgetown, Richmond, Frankfort, and more since we kicked this series off, and raised money for non-profits like Greenhouse 17 and others) and other ways to provide performance opportunities and revenue streams for artists; drive music fans to live shows at all the area venues; more work for sound techs; and the like.

Why #4

4) Use it as both a vehicle for culture and commerce.

Culture drive commerce. And a more unified music community can also help to unify the entire arts community (dance, fashion, visual arts, and more).

Why #3

3) Use it as a vehicle for professional development.

Expanding the awards night into a full-blown weekend of professional workshops and clinics covering everything from aspects of the music business (legalities like copyright, publishing, & more) to presentation (from fashion to stagecraft) to expert talks on songwriting, improvisation, future trends, booking tours, and much more.

Why #2

2) Use it as a vehicle to honor the entire music community.

A way to acknowledge and honor more than just styles of music (like the Grammys) or individual musicianship (like interest/instrument specific magazines) or similar...but instead to recognize and honor everyone from the industry side (studios, retail shops, venues, management companies, repair shops, etc) to styles and individual excellence and, of course, music lovers. In a word, the entire music community, not one small part of it.

WHY #1

1) Use it as a vehicle for musician networking.

The idea of putting musicians who otherwise might never hear (or hear of) each other in a room together at least once a year is, I would think (at least from an artistic perspective), both obvious and compelling.