Its is twenty five years of the Sony Radio awards. Do Sony even make radios anymore? Anyway as an occasional avid listener to radio, I always keep a wary eye on the machinations of this awards bash. It is an odd industry bash, one which provides enough awards to nearly everything wins something (the gold / silver / bronze award mechanism also helps). And it is difficult to compare in the Breakfast Show category the Today Show with The Bush & Troy Show on GWR in Bristol, one assumes a local pop based breakfast show. Your full list of nominees is here though, and I am sure the BBC will go away happily. Indeed if this picture is anything to go by, the Sony Awards already have the BBC’s name written all over them. Note however the addition of Internet Programme Of The Year, and Popworld (Channel 4 Radio) both internet only.
But as it is the 25th anniversary, they have also instigated the Broadcasters Broadcaster award, a list of 25 British Radio greats, one of whom will win this accolade*. And its an interesting list: scroll down on this Independent article for pithy one-liners on the nominees. Though I don’t think describing Kenny Everett as Kenny Everett “The late, great pioneer of “zoo” radio” really explains how important he was to pop radio production. It is a difficult list to judge, would Steve Wright exist without Tony Blackburn who himself may not exist if it weren’t for a half-hundredweight of US music DJ’s. Do you vote for originality or professionalism. IS the criteria who broadcasters admire the most, and who has influenced them the most. So how do you judge those presenters who only (but not inconsiderable skill) is the ability to be completely at easy infront of a microphone?
Anyway, if you want, and you fit the eligibility rules** you can vote here.
*One of whom almost certainly called John Peel one imagines.
**Voting Eligibility:
In line with the general rules and regulations that govern all entries for the Sony Radio Academy Awards, those casting votes would need to be working for a licensed and/or legally functioning radio station or network (see categories / conditions of entry)
For the purposes of this scheme, the term broadcaster should be interpreted as anyone working at the microphone whose voice is heard on-air and who engages directly with the listener – for example presenters, journalists and those reading the news, weather and/or traffic bulletins. This criteria would not however be extended to include voice-over artists or actors. HOLD ON: THAT INCLUDES THOSE OF US ON LOLLARDS!