For the second year in a row R&B entertainer John Blu topped the list of nominees for the annual Chicago Music Awards (CMA), it was announced November 2^nd at a press conference at NBC5 Chicago at NBC Tower.  Blu was nominated in three categories -- R&B Entertainer of the Year, Best Male Vocalist and Songwriter of the Year.  Nominated in two categories were Pop princess Demi Lobo, R&B powerhouse Terisa Griffin, classic R&B soul artist Slique, R&B entertainer Ben One and Hip Hop fusion group Kids These Days. There were a total of 194 nominees in 36 categories.  The press conference was streamed live over martinstv.com.   Ainsworth Rose & The Sunshine Singers (formerly Ainsworth Rose One Man Band) performed.   

It was also announced that Lifetime Achievement Awards will be presented to legendary arranger & producer Thomas (Tom Tom) Washington, William Mason general director, Lyric Opera of Chicago; Professor W. James McPhatter formerly of The Caravans; Latin Jazz Society founder Michael Romano; Chicago Recording Company (CRC), the largest recording company in the Midwest and the Chicago Reader newspaper, all of whom have made major contributions to the music industry for 40 years or more.  This year’s recipient of the Award of Honor is Grammy nominated R&B vocalist Miki Howard.

Kanye West who was nominated for Pop Superstar of the Year, receives the Producer’s Special Award.

New to CMA for 2011-2012 is the Chicago Emerging Star Competition, a gateway for younger performers or those just entering the industry. First round eliminations will take place on Sunday, November 20^th at Kingston Mines, 2548 North Halsted Street, Chicago before a live audience and a panel of professional judges.  Final selections will be determined by audience applause and the judges.   Finalists will compete for the top slot the night of the awards with the winner receiving a cash prize and a performance opportunity at the International Festival of Life and other Martin’s International Culture events.

Fans, friends and supporters of the 194 nominees are encouraged to participate in the process by going to www.chicagomusicawards.org, clicking on CMA and voting for the best of 2011.  Ballots may also be sent via snail mail to the offices of the CMA, 1325 S. Wabash Avenue, Ste. 307, Chicago, 60605.  Ballots are available at various sponsor locations, record shops, clubs and grocery stores city-wide.  Ballots may also be obtained by e-mail at chicagomusicawards@gmail.com or by calling 312/427-0266.

The 2012 Chicago Music Awards will be held on Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday, Sunday, January 15, 2011, at the popular entertainment venue, The Club located at 4829 W. 77th Street (76^th St & Cicero Ave) directly across from Ford City Mall in Chicago (Burbank).  The celebration officially begins with red carpet arrival at 5:30 pm and VIP Reception at 6 pm. The Awards Ceremony begins at 8 pm.  General admission is $31; VIP $75. Tickets can be purchased on-line now at www.chicagomusicawards.org.  For information call 312/427-0266 or visit website.

For 31 years the CMA has honored Chicago’s own established and emerging artists from the worlds of Pop, Rock, R&B, jazz, blues, country-western and other genres of music.  The only event of its kind in Chicago, the CMA honors entertainers in all musical genres and celebrates their contributions to Chicago’s richly diverse musical heritage.  The Awards also recognize producers, songwriters, disc jockeys, nightclubs, radio stations and other allied industries that support musical artists.

It is dedicated to “Health Awareness” to raise consciousness about the lack of health care in the entertainment industry.

The Chicago Music Awards is made possible with the support of the following sponsors: NBC 5 Chicago, Rogers Park Fruit Market, Robert L. Scott & Associates, Uncle Joe’s Jerk Chicken, Herbert Witter- Insurance Brokers, Inc, Caribbean Shipping and Postal Services, Kingston Mines Blues Club ,Bulger & Ivy, P.C., Reggae Café, Life Music Group, La Fruteria, Inc., African Spectrum Newspaper and others.