IBMA Board Report

The IBMA Board met on September 27 and 28 in Nashville to consider a variety of business matters and proposals and to hear several key committee reports. Following are highlights. IBMA Awards The board adopted changes to IBMA Awards election rules to clarify the criteria for album oriented awards and specifically for “Album of the Year.” Effective for the 2010 awards an album is further defined to be a collection of 6 or more songs packaged together for the purposes of sale and promotion and at least 50% of the songs must be new recordings first released during the eligibility period. (Other existing rules and criteria may also apply). The board also amended rules of election for Hall of Fame induction on what is referred to as the “bereavement clause” to reduce the number of years from 2 to 1 that any candidate for nomination who recently passed away is not eligible for consideration immediately after their passing. The Awards Criteria & Eligibility Committee noted concerns shared by members about changes to categories for Recorded Event, Instrumental Recorded Performance and Gospel Recorded Performance and would examine them and report any recommendations at a future meeting.
The board also met with representatives of Coffee Club Pictures to explore new possibilities which could further expand the reach of the IBMA Awards including internet broadcast, a television special and other possibilities. A committee will follow up and report any recommendations.

The complete report can be found here.