British Music Awards...

By: Sunil Noronha
Friday, February 24, 2006

This year's British music awards sent home Kaiser Chiefs and singer songwriter James Blunt awards laden. The Kaiser Cheifs took home awards in the categories of best British Group, Best British Rock Act and Best British Live Act. James Blunt came out victorious in the categories of British Male and Best Pop Act awards, two out of the four categories he was nominated for. Coldplay took home Best British Male and Best Pop Act Awards. British Pop veteran Madonna took home the best International Artist Award. A shock was delivered to the world when double award winning group Coldplay announced their split. Their lead singer said that the world has had enough of them and have gotten bored of their music. Following this announcement, the stock value of their record label EMI Records dipped but was brought back to normal following an announcement to the contrary by the company.

The awards this year were designed to ensure that growth of the new and upcoming acts. The focus was to give the upcoming bands a platform on the same level as well established bands like Oasis and Green day to showcase their excellence. Kelly Clarkson, Jack Johnson, John Legend, Kanye West were other winners in this years Brit Awards. Jack Johnson was in the list for Best Breakthrough artist. Honours this year were meted out to Peter Wellers who was a part of The Jam and The Style Council apart from his solo work. He is a industry veteran, his experience lasting over thirty years.

The British equivalent of the Grammy awards donated its complete profit to causes, which include The BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology and Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy. These causes have been the cause for around seven thousand children to get an education that does not cost them a penny after its establishment 14 years back. The Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy has benefited a total of about ten thousand beneficiaries in person in the form of music therapy.

The BRIT Awards is the only UK show from which all the proceeds are donated to charity. Millions have been raised over the years for its beneficiaries: The BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology and Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy. Over 7,000 young people have been given free education and the opportunity to enter the school since its opening in 1991 and more than 10,000 children and adults have been helped by the phenomenal music therapy work carried out by Nordoff-Robbins.

The winners of the British Awards are selected from among a thousand voters who include record labels, producers, promoters, and RJ's. The emcee for the evening was Chris Evans, the TV presenter.