Probably the biggest news for 2010 thus far is the relocation of the awards show to the Capitol Theater in the Overture Center. As part of a new community outreach program begun by the Overture Center, the MAMAs applied for, and were granted, use of the Capitol Theater and its equipment. This has allowed the MAMAs to not only return the event to the city’s downtown, but also to move back into a large theater with a fully working stage.

The first MAMAs were held at the Orpheum Theater. In 2005 the show moved to the Union Theater in the UW Memorial Union. In 2007 the show was moved to the Barrymore Theater on the city’s East side where it ran for three years.

Many more announcements will be forthcoming as planning for this year’s Madison Area Music Awards progresses.

In an effort to seek out a link between the Board of Directors and the community, the MAMAs are actively involved in setting up an Advisory Board. New Board of Directors recruits have been assigned the task of forming a group that consists of about thirty members. Jesse Russell will act as Chair and Beth Kille will be Co-Chair of the Advisory Board. Both will report to the Board of Directors on isuues that the Advisory Board takes up.

The purpose of the Advisory Board is:

• To advise the Board of Directors on issues in the community and/or that the Advisory Board takes up
• To vote in every category in each round
• To encourage participation in the MAMAs and to help raise public awareness

Of course, the tasks and undertakings of the Advisory Board will be flexible and the Board of Directors expects the Advisory Board to mold over time into a very important and useful element in shaping the MAMAs for the future.

We will post more information as the Advisory Board takes shape. If you are interested in serving, contact Jesse Russell at jesse.russell@gmail.com.

The MAMAs have created a new category for 2010, Hard Rock/Punk. This is actually not a new category but a revived one. Hard Rock/Metal and Punk were separate categories but were collapsed into the general Rock category due to lack of participation in both genres. Hard rockers and punkers: Here’s your chance to get involved with the MAMAs and make this category successful.

Like other genres, one submission per album will be free this year thanks to the sponsorship of that category by Broadjam. Players in this category can also enter themselves into the instrumentalist categories for free thanks to Good-n-Loud Music’s sponsorship in that category.

MAMA, Inc. is happy to announce the addition of some new Board members.

Joining forces with us are:

Grant Billings – Owner of the Steinway Piano Gallery in Madison. Grant has been actively involved in the music community for most of his life and brings a strong sense of business skills to the Board.

Ankur Malhotra – Co-Owner of 5 Nines Data in Madison. Ankur is also the co-publisher of Madison Music Review, an online music resource that critiques shows in and around the city.

Beth Kille – Longtime Madison musician and now a solo artist, Beth is best known as the frontperson in Clear Blue Betty, amultiple MAMA award winner. Beth recently got involved in Chick Singer Night, a nationally active group that promotes female artists by holding spotlight events, among other things. Beth is currently performing as a solo artist.

Jesse Russell – Jesse is best-known as the founder and editor of Dane101.com, a popular collaborative website in Madison. he is also the co-founder of the Forward Music Fest and sponsors many music events in the city. In addition to being a Board member, Jesse is the Chair of the Adisory Board.

Sarah Berry – Sarah has been actively involded in local music for some time. She has also assumed the role of MAMA music director for 2010.

These new members join our current Board members:

Roy Elkins, President

Ralph Cohen, Vice-President

Matt Jacoby, Secretary

Rick Tvedt, Treasurer

Valerie Wulf

MAMA, Inc. is happy to announce that it will receive a $6,000 grant from the Courtier Foundation in January of 2010. This money will be used to fund the ongoing Mediaworks project at the Goodman Atwood Community Center. MAMA, Inc. is partnering with the center to instruct young people in audio/visual technology. The program centers on video production, sound reproduction and recording, and radio broadcasting.

This is the first grant MAMA, Inc. has received and is a big first step in developing its grant request initiative.