The Accolade Nominations Panel is currently considering the 2009 roll that will showcase various genres of music and highlight supportive personalities in the local music industry. Accolade Music Awards of Guyana is billed for November 21, 2009.

The panel will review submissions from over 20 primary contributors in the form of Local Music Producers/Recording Studios, Disc Jockeys, Record Bars and Media Entertainment Personalities to determine the nominations roll in 40 categories covering the period January 1, 2007, to June 30, 2009.

In all the categories, excluding those identified for special awards, no less than three and no more than four artistes will be chosen for each and then presented to the public for voting using website and SMS text messaging.

Local Disc Jockeys, Media Entertainment Personalities, Music Producers/Recording Studios, Record Bars and the public participation at large will also feature prominently in the various tiers of voting to determine the winners who will be known and announced for the first time at the Awards Show. The entire voting process will be supervised and managed by a reputable audit firm.

An eligible artiste for the purpose of these nominations is a person who was either born in Guyana, or attained naturalisation status, or a person who has lived in Guyana for the full eligibility period (January 1, 2007 to June 30, 2009).

An artiste may be eligible for any number of general categories. Where there are fewer than the minimum required amount of eligible entries, the panel may use deliberate judgment, including making the entry automatically eligible in the same category for the following year.

The categories are Chutney artiste of the year (male), Chutney artiste of the year (female), Best Chutney Band of the year, Best Chutney Album of the year, Best Groovy Soca single (male), Best Groovy Soca single (female), Best Soca (male), Best Soca (female), Soca single of the year, Best Soca Album solo, duo or group, Best Reggae single, Best Reggae (male), Best Reggae (female), Best Soca compilation, Best non Soca compilation, Reggae artiste of the year, Best Rock Alternative Artiste or Band, Gospel artiste of the year (Male), Gospel artiste of the year (Female), Gospel single of the year, Best RnB artiste of the year, Best Calypso artiste of the year (male), Best Calypso Artiste of the year (female), Best Hip Hop/Rap artiste of the year, Living legends award, Cornerstone award, Band of the year, Producer of the year, Media award print/internet, Media Award- radio/television, Best new artiste, Best music video, Song of the year, Studio of the year, Album of the year, Entertainer of the year, Lifetime achievement award, Best Dancehall artiste of the year, Best Folk single.

The Nominations Panel is appointed by the Executives of Accolade Music Awards and comprises experienced and respected professionals in the music/entertainment business, including musicians Patrick Majestic, Ian Johnson, Sean Bhola and Burchmore Simon, radio/television personalities Wanita Huburn and Malcolm Ferreira, DJ Bevaughn, DJ Garwyn, DJ Rocky Carew and Entertainer Kerwyn Bollers.

Guyanese and visiting guests can look forward to the 2009 Accolade awards becoming the most talked-about event with hot-brands of veterans and newcomers from the local, regional, and international shores, precious red-carpet experiences and matching fashion illustrations.

Arrowhead Promotions is confident that its plans will capitalise on and sustain the excitement and enthusiasm of music lovers and entertainment diehards as we aim to bring together thousands of a trendy audience whose demographics are culturally diverse. The Executive Committee of the Accolade Awards will ensure tickets to all its events are affordable to the Guyanese public.