Canadian Radio Music Awards Friday March 13, 2009 A rookie-of-the-year award for new artists, The CRMA's have quickly become a bellwether event, one that predicts breakout acts with uncanny accuracy. These awards recognize excellence and outstanding acheivement for new Canadian artists on radio, featuring live performances from Canada's hottest stars. • Main Page

THE CANADIAN RADIO MUSIC AWARDS GENERAL INFO
The winners of the Canadian Radio Music Awards (CRMA’s) are chosen by the combined votes of On-Air Staff, Program Directors and Music Directors.  The winners are not chosen by fans, or by a panel of judges.

Exceptions:
Factor “Breakthrough” Award        
“Chart Topper” Award
Fan’s Choice Award
S.A.C. Songwriter Award

Canadian Music Week has authorized the presentation of 10 Awards.  Only one award will be presented in each category.

There must be at least three (3) nominees in each category in order for that category to remain on the ballot for the current year.  If there are less than three (3) nominees, the category may be put on hiatus for the current year only.

The eligibility period for all awards categories will run from November 1, 2007 through to November 30, 2008.  Recordings must have been released during the eligibility period.

Participation in balloting is limited to On-Air Staff, Program Directors and Music Directors in Canadian radio.  By mailing the ballots to the last address provided to the Canadian Association of Broadcasters by their members, CAB then considers the voter deemed to have received the ballot at a specified period of time after the dates of mailing.

SELECTION PROCEDURES

NOMINEES
The list of nominees is determined by the total number of spins received by newly top charting Canadian artists as compiled by Nielsen BDS. VOTING BALLOT       

From the list of Nominees supplied, each eligible voter may vote for ONE and ONLY ONE Nominee in each category.  The Nominee receiving the most votes in each category will be announced as the winner at the annual Canadian Radio Music Awards Presentation.

ADJUDICATION
Votes are submitted electronically to an independent accounting firm for final tabulation.  The results of the voting process are protected until the annual CRMA Awards presentation. 

THE AWARDS DESCRIPTION (REVISED October 2008)

These Awards are presented to honour those people who have excelled in their industry during the past year.

Award 1 BEST NEW GROUP OR SOLO ARTIST (ROCK)
This Award is based on the “Rock” chart success of a Group or Solo Artist on Canadian radio.
A Group is defined as an act, composed of two or more people, all of who normally perform together and none of who is known primarily as an individual performing artist. One Award goes to the Group or Solo artist.  At least 50% of the group members or the Solo artist must be Canadian citizens or landed immigrants.

Award 2 BEST NEW GROUP OR SOLO ARTIST (CHR)
This Award is based on the “Contemporary Hit Radio” chart success of a Group.
A Group is defined as an act, composed of two or more people, all of who normally perform together and none of who is known primarily as an individual performing artist. One Award goes to the Group.  At least 50% of the group members must be Canadian citizens or landed immigrants.

Award 3 BEST NEW GROUP OR SOLO ARTIST (COUNTRY)
This Award is based on the “Country” chart success of a Group or Solo Artist on Canadian radio.
A Group is defined as an act, composed of two or more people, all of who normally perform together and none of who is known primarily as an individual performing artist. One Award goes to the Group or Solo artist.  At least 50% of the group members or the Solo artist must be Canadian citizens or landed immigrants.

Award 4 BEST NEW GROUP OR SOLO ARTIST (HOT AC)
This Award is based on the “Hot AC” chart success of a Group or Solo Artist on Canadian radio.
A Group is defined as an act, composed of two or more people, all of who normally perform together and none of who is known primarily as an individual performing artist. One Award goes to the Group or Solo artist.  At least 50% of the group members or the Solo artist must be Canadian citizens or landed immigrants.

Award 5 BEST NEW GROUP OR SOLO ARTIST (MAINSTREAM AC)
This Award is based on the “Mainstream AC” chart success of a Group or Solo Artist on Canadian radio.
A Group is defined as an act, composed of two or more people, all of who normally perform together and none of who is known primarily as an individual performing artist. One Award goes to the Group or Solo artist.  At least 50% of the group members or the Solo artist must be Canadian citizens or landed immigrants.

Award 6 BEST NEW GROUP OR SOLO ARTIST (DANCE/URBAN/RHYTHMIC)
This Award is based on the “Dance/Urban/Rhythmic” chart success of a Group or Solo Artist on Canadian radio.
A Group is defined as an act, composed of two or more people, all of who normally perform together and none of who is known primarily as an individual performing artist. One Award goes to the Group or Solo artist.  At least 50% of the group members or the Solo artist must be Canadian citizens or landed immigrants.

Award 7 FACTOR “BREAKTHROUGH” AWARD (non-voting)
This Award is based on total radio spins and other awards and recognitions received from FACTOR for a Group or Solo Artist during the eligibility period on Canadian radio.  The recipient is determined by FACTOR committee.

In choosing the recipient for the FACTOR Breakthrough Award, a FACTOR committee meets and discusses the nominees.  The nominees are chosen based on a list of all first time top charting artists provided to FACTOR as compiled by BDS Scoundscan.  The committee takes many things into consideration including other awards and recognitions received from FACTOR.  The final decision is based on the committee’s overall judgment.

One Award goes to the Group or Solo Artist. At least 50% of the group members or the Solo artist must be Canadian citizens or landed immigrants.

Award 8 “CHART TOPPER” AWARD (non-voting)
This Award is based on total radio spins for a Group or Solo Artist during the eligibility period on Canadian radio.  The Group or Solo Artist with the greatest number of spins will be determined the winner. One Award goes to the Group or Solo artist.  At least 50% of the group members or the Solo artist must be Canadian citizens or landed immigrants.

Award 9 SONGWRITER  AWARD (non-voting)
This award is base on total radio spins for a songwriter(s) during the eligibility period on Canadian radio. The songwriter with the greatest number of spins will be determined the winner.  One Award goes to the songwriter(s). .  At least 50% of songwriting team must be Canadian citizens or landed immigrants.

Award 10 FANS’ CHOICE AWARD (fan vote)  
This Award is based on the chart success of Group or Solo Artist during the eligibility period on Canadian radio.  Fans will have the opportunity to cast their votes for their favourite entertainer and the nominee receiving the greatest number of votes will be determined the winner.  One Award goes to the Group or Solo artist.  At least 50% of the group members or the Solo artist must be Canadian citizens or landed immigrants.

ARTIST HALL OF FAME
This Award recognizes the long-term contributions to the growth and development of Canadian music domestically or abroad.   Inductees are determined by a panel of judges comprised of Canadian music industry professionals. The recipient must be a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant.  One Award is presented.