Honouring all that the Black Country has to offer musically, the Black Country Music Awards (BCMAs) has been created to shine a light on the unrivalled venues, exceptional artists and songwriters, tireless promoters and producers as well as identifying the region’s best singles, albums, videos and much more.
June 21st 2019 saw the inaugural event take place to great effect and the evening was a huge success as a packed room saw great artists perform and also get rewarded and recognised for all their hard work.
Check out last year’s winners below:
OFFICIAL EVENT SPONSOR
MAS RECORDS is a non-profit music development programme founded in 2001 by Kevyn Gammond (ex-Band of Joy). With Ricky Wilson (Kaiser Chiefs/The Voice), Robert Plant (ex-Led Zeppelin) and Karl Hyde (Underworld) as its patrons, the label is based in Kidderminster, and runs in partnership with local education authorities in artist development centres across the country.
The label’s aim is to support the development of music in the UK and provide emerging artists with a bridge into the wider industry. This initiative is unique because it combines expert music industry knowledge and experience with conventional training and education.
With the ever changing music industry MAS Records has assumed the role of the Artist Development branch of a major record label; bringing together industry and education in a unique way. Our experienced staff mentor and prepare our artists for the wider industry. The artists involved with the label do not pay for the services we provide.
Through the MAS scheme all our artists will be provided with the following free services:
– Recording with industry producers.
– Weekly practice time in top studios.
– Business planning.
– Promotion and marketing.
– Guidance with tour planning.
– Exposure to the UK music industry.
– Live Demo Recording.
– Industry showcase gigs.
MAS Records has played part in the success of many artists over the last 10 years. Key artists include White Eskimo, The Night Cafe, Swim Deep, The Lines, Deluka, Octane OK and The Arcadian Kicks who have collectively secured professional management or recording contracts with major labels. M.A.S. Records has also showcased artists at SXSW over the last 5 years; setting up vital links with industry organisations for the marketing of our artists including Spinnup Distribution (owned by Universal Group), Kerrang Radio, BBC Introducing and Plug and Play Promo.
THE JUDGES
Nick J Townsend
We are proud to announce Black Country Artist, Musician, Director, Writer and all round good guy Nick J Townsend as a judge and mentor for 2020.
Nick has worked tirelessly to help and promote 100’s of young bands from the Black Country and beyond for over 20 years and is well known for his exceptional music videos and unfailing generosity. Nick J Townsend is a singer songwriter from award winning and multi award nominated band WEAK13. A music columnist for over a decade for award winning magazine RGG and has filmed & directed music videos for over 100 of the Midlands finest artists. We look forward to working with him this year and beyond. www.weak13.co.uk
Jonn Penney
Jonn Penney aspired to acting but got distracted when he formed Stourbridge indie-rock band Ned’s Atomic Dustbin as frontman and lyricist in 1987. The band released three studio albums selling roughly one million copies, produced 100+ t-shirt designs and filled multitudinous sweaty venues from 1990-1994 during their hectic and extensive worldwide touring schedule before ‘resting’ in 1995.
The band are now part-time since reforming with all five original members in 2007. They still play large rooms and sell 1000’s of t-shirts. Having worked promotions and publicity for Wolverhampton Civic Hall for 14 years, in 2019 Jonn joined MAS Records as a mentor for new artists and MAS Lab as an advocate for peace but not necessarily quiet!
Doddy White
Doddy has been in awe of rock music since his early teens. He worked at sundown records in Wolverhampton when at school and attended his first reading rock festival in 76 when 15 years old.
More recently he started Rockers through the ages to raise money for charity through gigs. The First Mayor’s Rock Festival showcased 6 bands at the Slade Rooms. In 2020 The Mayor’s Rock Festival will see 28 bands over 2 days.
Doddy is a regular at KK’S Steel Mill and Giffard Arms Club Nights promoting new bands with Damaged Rose productions as well as being heavily involved in many charities including co compare for Rock For Spon at The Robin Club, 2 single day charity gigs, one for epilepsy at Giffard and accoustic gig at The Duke of Cambridge for MS. Involved with Bon Fest at Kerrimuir on the Sunday, 2 hour accoustic charity gig with Radio Saltare broadcasting as well.
Scott Garrett
Scott Garrett is the Head of MAS Records and Director of his own Management company SGM Music Group Ltd.
Within his management company Scott has looked after Radio 1 playlist artists, negotiated deals with major labels such as Sony ATV Publishing and consulted on music projects for corporate clients such as Intu Shopping centre.
Within his role as the head of MAS Records (Patron Robert Plant and Ricky Wilson) – he oversees a team of 50 music industry professionals across the country who help develop over 200 acts per year in independent recording and rehearsal studios with government education funding. MAS Records can offer free recording, free rehearsal time and free business guidance and have recently negotiated free distribution for all their artists on ‘Spinnup Distribution’ who are owned 100% by Universal Records. The major advantage to MAS is artists also being able to keep 100% of all rights within their music and rights.
Leigh Sanders
Leigh Sanders is originally from Cardiff but moved to the Black Country in August 2013 to start working for the Express & Star newspaper. Spending his time living in both Wolverhampton and Bloxwich since the move he has come to love the rich local music scene with rising stars in all genres.
Now working for both the Shropshire Star and Express & Star, Leigh handles album reviews and interviews with local musicians for the weekly Star Unsigned column, which has been running since 2017 to give local artists their own space to shout up about their work both in print and online. He was very proud to see so many of them nominated in 2019, and hopes for more success for them in 2020.
THE EVENT MC
Doreen – Queen of The Black Country – MC
We are very excited to welcome back our hostess with the mostest – the wonderful Doreen, Queen of the Black Country as MC for the event.
Doreen is a legend in her own lifetime. The only person in the united Kingdom to be diagnosed with ‘Lazy Cow Syndrome’, this awful disability hasn’t stopped Doreen from becoming an icon, first in her beloved Black Country, and now on the way to conquering the world! Doreen hosts her own Radio show on the Interwebby thing, is a star of Pantomime and will bring her own brand of Black Country humour to the event.
THE PERFORMERS
Christian Reilly – Comedian & Singer
“If you’re a fan of Bill Bailey or Rich Hall, you’re probably a Christian Reilly fan already” -THE GUARDIAN
Christian’s first comedy gig was in the Perrier Award-winning show, ‘Rich Hall is Otis Lee Crenshaw’. He is a global comedy circuit headliner and has appeared at numerous international comedy festivals, on BBC radio and TV, and in four series of the Chortle Award-winning stand-up and sketch show ‘Richard Herring: As It Occurs To Me’. In 2015, BBC Radio 4 followed Christian on the road to the Edinburgh Fringe for ‘Lives In a Landscape’. 2016 saw Christian taking his comedy to Australia as part of Perth’s Fringeworld festival. 2018 will see Christian return to the Edinburgh Festival for the seventh consecutive year with a new show.
“A charmingly confident performer, an accomplished musician and a clever comic… The funniest songs I have heard in a long time” -THE SCOTSMAN
“Funny sonofabitch” -RICH HALL
“Seriously cool, seriously funny” -RICHARD HERRING
Megan Reece
We are excited to announce Megan Reece, who will be opening the event on the main stage.
Megan Reece is a Wolverhampton-born Singer, songwriter and artist.
Her musical journey began when her father introduced her to performers like Ray Charles and Nina Simone at a tender age, and Megan developed a strong passion for blues, neo-soul and jazz. Megan is a self-taught pianist and ukulele player but songwriting and writing for other artists is a real passion of hers.
Megan most notably appeared on TV’s The Voice in 2016, joining team Paloma Faith.
At the BCMA’s, she will be showcasing some new and exclusive original material – set for release later in the year – as well as some favourite covers.
She is accompanied by the enormously talented acoustic guitarist, Ben Bartlett for their set.
Ben Bartlett has toured extensively as a session guitarist throughout the UK & Europe, also appearing on BBC Radio, Kerrang! TV and MTV2.
The Carousels
Closing the event will be the fabulous Carousels. Make sure you’ve got yer dancing feet on!
Formed at the beginning of 2017, the band have been busy playing around the Midlands; Base Studios Stourbridge, Jaspers Shifnal, Flapper & Firkin Birmingham, The Wharf Stourport, Prince of Wales Birmingham, The Vine Inn Halesowen, The Crown Inn Sedgley, The White Horse Harborne, the 02 Academy 3 Birmingham, the Actress and Bishop Birmingham, The Mill Birmingham supporting Shaun Ryders Black Grape , The Castle & Falcon Birmingham supporting the Mysterines and closing Wolvesfest after ‘Digsys’ The Sums (from the Oasis track Digsys Dinner!). The Carousels are an originals and 90s covers band and we look forward to letting them loose after the Awards Ceremony to round off the night.
Alex Ohm
We are excited to announce last years BCMA winner for Best Single (Every Ocean) Alex Ohm will be performing live at BCMA 2020 with his band.
Midlands based songsmith, Alex Ohm has become a renowned name on the local music scene and is currently writing and recording new material to release later this year. Alex’s alternative, cinematic symphonies reflect the wide range of influences that inspire his work and come together to create his unique sound.
With a number of sold out shows already under his belt, Alex has also opened shows for the likes of Ian Brown, The Charlatans, Ocean Colour Scene and Peter Doherty to name a few as well as touring worldwide. Debut EP ‘At first a drop, then a flood’ was released in May 2017 to huge praise from radio and press alike. ‘Through the storm’ was taken from that EP and released as a single in October as well becoming the soundtrack for the John Lewis promotional video for their Birmingham flag ship store.
January 2018 saw Ohm release ‘Retreat’ into the world exhibiting a different side to Alex’s song writing; fusing indie, hip hop, and classical influences together seamlessly. Ohm launched the single with a sold out Birmingham show as well as dates in London and the iconic Rough Trade Records store in Nottingham in association with BBC Introducing and Y Not Festival.
18 months have passed since Ohm’s last release but now he is set to start 2020 the way he means to go on. March 6th see’s Alex and his band headline Wolverhampton’s Newhampton Arts Centre as part of a BBC Introducing West Midlands ‘Presents’ night in association with Birmingham Promoters, to promote his upcoming release ‘Going Nowhere Fast’.
It has been a whirlwind start of the year for this rising star and his band. This is one act to keep an eye on in 2020.
THE VIPs
Mark Stanway
Residing in Wolverhampton for over 40 years – Former long-time keyboard player of MAGNUM Current member of KINGDOM of MADNESS and GRAND SLAM.
Mark Stanway is best known for his 36 year tenure as keyboard player in British melodic rock band Magnum. Between 1980 and 2016 he played on 19 studio albums, plus numerous live and compilation albums.
Aside from his work with Magnum he has also performed or recorded with Phil Lynott’s Grand Slam, Robert Plant, Roy Wood, M3 Classic Whitesnake, the Quireboys and most recently the Sweden Rock Symphony Orchestra. Mark maintains an active career within music. Mark is presently touring the UK with his “Intimate Evening with Mark Stanway” show, which mixes music and conversation as he shares with audiences stories from behind the scenes gathered during his career to date. In addition 2018 will see him revisiting the classic Magnum period of 1978-1994, as well as Grand Slam favourites, with Kingdom of Madness, which also features Mickey Barker, Richard Bailey, Laurence Archer, Neil Murray, Chris Ousey and Mo Birch.
Robin George
Born and raised in Wolverhampton, England, Robin began playing guitar at an early age. A plastic Beatles’ guitar Christmas present from his mom and dad set him on his way when he was eight years old, then his mum, recognising his talent, bought him an acoustic guitar which he later swapped for his first electric guitar, a Watkin’s Rapier 33. He took his guitar to junior school, family parties and at 14 he was asked to join his first band. Robin was expelled from Wolverhampton Boy’s Grammar School, where he was, allegedly, the first person to be expelled for 100 years. When he started his next school, it was like a new lease of life; released from the power of the cane he was encouraged to embrace the power of music and became the guitar player in assemblies and school dances. He soon rebelled and was expelled again, however!
Over the years Robin has worked with them all: Dave Holland (Judas Priest), Pino Palladino (The Who), Mo Birch (Culture Club, UB40), Roy Wood (The Move/ Wizzard /ELO), Noddy Holder (Slade), Simon Kerr (Free, Bad Company), Brian May (Queen), Glenn Hughes (Black Sabbath/ Deep Purple), Spike (The Quireboys) and many many more.
2019 united Robin and Sean Harris (Diamond Head) writing and recording their brand-new Notorious album! BitterSweet HeartBeat Robins new album again featuring Charlie Morgan is finished and ready to rock… release news soon.
Also on the bench (desk) are 2 new-found retro albums. RG Dangerous Daze
Wilderness Warriors Live & RG Dangerous Guests which features friends from
big name bands.
Plus 2 new singles with vix Fuzzbox.
THE VENUE
We are excited to be holding the 2nd Annual BCMA’s at the fantastic ICB in Wolverhampton.
We will be holding the event in The Balcony Suite on the first floor which has a 650 split level capacity. Free parking is available, and the venue is a short taxi ride from Wolverhampton Train Station. The Bars and dance floor are easily accessible and viewing to the main stage is uninterrupted.
Food and drinks service is second to none, and guests will be enjoying a 2 course Desi-Fusion meal prepared in their own state of the art kitchen and served by friendly and helpful staff.
Outside features a Canalside decked area with a branded bar and smoking areas.
You can find out much more at the ICB website: http://www.icbcentre.co.uk
International Conference & Banqueting, 5 Fox’s Lane, Wolverhampton, WV1 1PA.
Feel free to call us on: 01902 351100 or email us at: info@icbcentre.co.uk
TICKETS AND TABLES
Eventbrite Services to follow
To guarantee your tickets for BCMA 2020, Tables may be reserved at £100 deposit by contacting the phone number or email address below.
Tables and tickets can be booked direct by contacting Shaun Ryan at 07930 371887 or via blackcountrymusicawards@yahoo.com
Single Ticket £55
2 course desi-fusion meal included.
Standard Table £500
For 10 people, 2 course desi-fusion meal included.
VIP Area Table £600
For 10 people, 2 course desi-fusion meal included.
10% early bird discount
for all bookings paid in full by 29th February 2020
THE SPONSORS
THE ORGANISER
SHAUN ‘RECKLESS’ RYAN
The event is the brainchild of Shaun ‘Reckless’ Ryan. Shaun spent 23 years publishing, promoting and advertising live music across Birmingham & The Black Country as editor and publisher of RGG Magazine – which he founded in 1995. The magazine is still going strong under its new ownership.
“I have seen a few award events take pace over the years, and one thing that struck me was that some didn’t appear to be very open or transparent. I want the public to be the ones who nominate in each category and also choose the winner in each category. Our judges will be there as a guiding hand to whittle down the nominations to 3 in each category. I have carefully chosen judges who in all likelihood, will not be in a position to be nominated themselves. After the success of last years’ event, we couldn’t not repeat the event. This years show will be just as exciting and packed with the best the Black Country has to offer”. Shaun Ryan
On this website you can find out more about the BCMA and its aims as well as being able to cast a vote in many music categories for your favourite bands, musicians, promoters, venues and events.
Tickets to purchase for this event will be limited to 500 on general release. The event will include Live Music, Local VIPs, many guest artists, stage entertainment, a 2 course ‘Desi Fusion’ dinner, and of course the awards themselves. This event will very likely sell out! – so if you want to be part of this wonderful night, don’t delay, book your tickets or table today!