09.01.06: Time to make your choice...:	Ron, IU
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If you have seen the National and Music Press lately, and indeed the notice on our News section some time ago, you will know that the Choice Music Prize has finally launched. The brainchild of Dave Reid (with early support from all of IU, and latterly a lot of support from Jim Carroll of the Irish Times), aims to reward the critical (not market) success of any Irish album released in the preceeding Calendar Year. The complete list of all Albums released last eyar (over 250, as far as I recall) was studied and the shortlist of the final ten nominees will be broadcast on the Tom Dunne show on Today FM on Tuesday Jan 10th. The final announcement will be broadcast LIVE on the Tom Dunne show on Feb 28th, live from Vicar Street where some of the nominees may well play a tune or three. The winner will be chosen on that night (and not before, so no questions, please!). The judging panel for the event will include various well-known and respected music and media personalities, and announced (to much fanfare, we must presume) immediately afterwards. A proze of €10,000 cash (yep, ten grand cash, no strings attached) will then be presented to the winner with the added attraction of them being the inaugural winners of the custom-designed trophy Tickets for the night, priced at €25, will be on sale from Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.ie) within hours of the Shortlist being announced this week. If you are feeling a bit lucky, you will apparently also be able to make bets online with Paddy Power (www.paddypower.ie) Incidentally, the National Student Music Awards is also about to be opened for this year. Following on from last year's huge success, the '06 event promises all sorts of goodies, cash and exposure to the Industry. If you're interested, and at least one band member is in full time education, get your demo in. The full details will be published on www.nsma.ie in the coming week.

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