Investing & Partnering
Lifetime Achievement
Tina Turner - 2019
Turner has won 12 Grammy Awards, sold more than 200 million records worldwide, and performed for a world-record of 180,000 paid ticket holders at just one of her concerts. Tina Turner is a Tennessee native. Born Anna Mae Bullock in Nutbush, Tennessee. She began her career in 1958 as a featured singer with Ike Turner's Kings of Rhythm, first recording under the name "Little Ann". Her introduction to the public as Tina Turner began in 1960 as a member of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue with the single "A Fool In Love." In the United Kingdom, Turner is the first female artist to have a top 40 hit in six consecutive decades; she has had a total of 34 UK top 40 hits.
Carl Perkins - 2018
Carl Perkins was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Born in Tiptonville, Tennessee, Perkins's songs were recorded by artists (and friends) as influential as Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, and Johnny Cash, which further established his place in the history of popular music. Paul McCartney claimed that "if there were no Carl Perkins, there would be no Beatles."
W.S. Holland - 2018
W.S. Fluke Holland was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Born April 22, 1935, in Saltillo, Tennessee, Holland notably played drums on the 1955 Sun Records recording of "Blue Suede Shoes" and performed on the "Million Dollar Quartet" session that featured Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash.
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ELIGIBILITY
Tennessee Music Awards Eligibility
With the exception of the Lifetime Achievement Award(s), these awards are to honor INDEPENDENT performers statewide. Performers are eligible if they meet one of the following statuses:
- Born in Tennessee
- For a substantial period of time resided in Tennessee
- Have proven on a solid, regular basis a Tennessee presence through their live performances.
- Please note: artists should be currently touring/performing and/or with newly recorded output within two years of the closing of nominations.
Performers are not eligible if they have had a recording contract with a major label in their known musical field OR had ‘Top 40’ success as a recording artist on any Billboard Albums Chart or Billboard Singles Chart.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
This Award(s) is open to anyone, alive or deceased, who was born in Tennessee OR for a substantial period of time resided in Tennessee that as a recording artist, songwriter, producer, engineer, disc jockey, promoter, etc. Their initial known achievements must have occurred at least 25 years prior to the award show year.
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
This Award is for the artist that exhibits the highest level of entertaining, through recorded output, live performances and public acceptance.
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
This Award is for a female artist who tours and records under her name only, or for a female who is the lead vocalist of a group.
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
This Award is for a male artist who tours and records under his name only, or for a male who is the lead vocalist of a group.
VARIOUS GENRE CATEGORIES
These Awards is for any solo performer, duo or group fitting the category.
ACOUSTIC ACT OF THE YEAR
This Award is for any solo performer or duo that performs as an acoustic act on record and/or live on a regular basis.
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
This Award is for any album of eight (8) songs or more and was released for purchase no more than two years prior to the closing of final nominations. The reigning Album of the Year cannot repeat as a recipient.
SONG OF THE YEAR
This Award is for any original song released on an album, a EP or individually for purchase no more than two years prior to the closing of final nominations by an artist meeting the eligibility requirements. The reigning Song of the Year cannot repeat as a recipient.
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
This Award is for any composer who has displayed a consistent pattern of original material through any of their recorded output that was released for sale no more than two years prior to the closing of final nominations OR a composer who has had songs recorded by another artist that has been released for purchase no more than two years prior to the closing of final nominations.
MUSIC PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
This Award is for any producer, who was born in Tennessee or resided for a substantial time in Tennessee. They must have produced (not self-produced) recorded product for purchase no more than two years prior to the closing of final nominations.
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
This Award is for any video, released by a performer who meets the performer eligibility criteria that was released for the first time for viewing no more than two years prior to the closing of final nominations. This must be an actual video to accompany a song. The reigning Video of the Year cannot repeat as a recipient.
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR
This award is for any music radio station in Tennessee or any radio station that on a regular basis features an ample amount of Tennessee music airplay. A radio station cannot be the recipient of this award in consecutive years.
RADIO DJ OF THE YEAR
This Award is for any disc jockey, who on a regular basis plays music (in studio, not syndicated) on a radio station in Tennessee. A radio DJ cannot be the recipient of this award in consecutive years.
PUBLICATION OF THE YEAR
This Award is for an Tennessee publication (newspaper/magazine) that features music content on a regular basis. A publication cannot be the recipient of this award in consecutive years.
VENUE OF THE YEAR
This Award is for any venue in Tennessee that hosts music concerts on a regular basis. A venue cannot be the recipient of this award in consecutive years.
YOUNG ARTIST OF THE YEAR
This Award is for any male, female, duo or group that performs on a regular basis. The nominee cannot turn the age of eighteen (18) until January 1st (or later) of the award year. This is to honor a 'promising' talent and a recipient of this award is no longer eligible in this category.
INSTRUMENTALIST CATEGORIES
This Award is for any instrumentalist that plays on a regular basis on music studio recordings OR a in solo, duo, or group performances.
Categories may be modified, removed, or added in the future and any changes will be updated here. Last updated May 3, 2019.
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RESOURCES
Nashville Songwriters Association International - The NSAI consists of a body of creative minds, including songwriters from all genres of music, professional and amateur, who are committed to protecting the rights and future of the profession of songwriting.
West TN Delta Heritage Center - Enjoy a refreshing Southern experience celebrating the music, culture, and beauty of the Tennessee Delta; serving guests since 1998.
Americana Music Association - The Americana Music Association® is a professional trade organization whose mission is to advocate for the authentic voice of American Roots Music around the world.
TN Music Teachers Association - TMTA promotes local, state, divisional, and national meetings and conventions; sponsors auditions at local and state levels for students from elementary through college levels, certifies private music teachers; and makes annual awards to a Teacher of the Year.
TN Songwriters Association International - The Tennessee Songwriters Association is a "hands-on" organization for dedicated songwriters. We welcome your ideas and energy and encourage your participation. We also offer song pitches and critiques, discussion groups with music business pros, showcase songs, etc.
