The Awards

Regarded as one of the most prestigious annual events in Boston, the Boston Music Awards were established in 1987 by founder, Candace Avery, in order to pay tribute to the city’s finest performers. In 2007 the BMA’s celebrated its 20th Anniversary, making it the longest running regional music awards show in the country.

The first ever ceremony was a huge success as it debuted with local pop stars, New Kids On The Block, headlining the sold out show. After 16 years of leadership under Candace Avery, the Boston Music Awards switched hands and in 2003, when Chip Rives purchased the company. The BMA’s changed locations under this new leadership, and the show was moved from the Wang Theatre to the Avalon. In 2007, the location changed once again the Orpheum Theatre.

Comprised of 25 categories of awards, the BMA’s provide an equal opportunity for both major label and independent artists. Since this awards ceremony is designed to honor artists from a very specific market, there are generalized categories that often house a very eclectic group of nominees. Genre specific categories are intended to represent the wide range of music befitting to the limitation of genre labeling. Artists are nominated by an 80+ person committee comprised of local radio personality, press, artist managers, labels, talent buyers, publicists and agents. Winners are determined by an academy vote comprised of 450 members combined with a public vote. The academy vote are weighted 2/3 versus 1/3 for the public. In 2007 more than 190,000 public votes were cast online.