When the Boston Music Awards sent out ballots to nominating committee members this morning, there was a change. Instead of having separate categories for male and female vocalist of the year, there is now just one new category: “Vocalist of the Year.”
“Our goal has been to celebrate the whole music scene in the most fair and democratic way we can,” says Paul Armstrong, who has produced the awards event since taking over ownership at the beginning of 2016 and expanding it to also present more than a dozen additional live music events around Boston each year.
“Many artists simply don’t indentify with he or she. An award that forced people to indentify male or female felt out of touch. ‘Vocalist of the Year’ is designed to include all,” Armstrong says. “I hope it shows that we have our ear to the ground and we’re an awards show leading the way in celebrating all musicians.”
Pictured at top: Tall Heights plays at the 2017 Boston Music Awards. (Greg Cook)
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