Formed in 1996 by BIG Enterprises and a few of the areas local Karaoke Jock's (KJ's) the Georgia State Karaoke Music Awards program began as a collaborative community enterprise. Embracing a mission to promote karaoke based programs and activities for people of all ages, socio-economic backgrounds and singing abilities this event is proudly growing in popularity with each passing year.

 

The Georgia State Karaoke Music Awards (KMA's) were designed to recognize, reward, and give back to all the Karaoke enthusiasts in and around the state of Georgia. Awards are presented to one winner in each of the separate categories as voted on by all participating KJ’s who are supporters of the karaoke industry.

 

Remember singing along has always been the people’s music, and now with Karaoke growing as much as it has it expresses the message that singing in public and having FUN at the same time is perfectly OK!

 

Throughout the year various karaoke events are held to raise awareness of Karaoke within the community, sometimes these events are held in schools (based on the premise "Reading Is Fundamental" youngsters engage in reading exercises via a karaoke platform); senior citizen communities (Karaoke affords them an opportunity to engage in entertaining social activities) and various other community who organizations utilize Karaoke as a platform to raise funds for those in need while bringing something different, exciting and FUN into their lives.

 

Much of behind the scenes work and support for the "Annual Georgia State Karaoke Music Awards" comes from local participating KJ's (Karaoke Jock's) who host events and contests sponsored by various local restaurants, bars and industry related corporations whose efforts culminate every year at the Karaoke Music Awards. This collaborative model recognizes and awards the legions of Karaoke enthusiasts that participated in contests and events throughout the year.

 

The annual KMA event reconnects karaoke friends, family and loved ones in an environment that allows them to experience the joy of coming together, catching up and enjoying a song! Planned activities include a series of LIVE entertainment performances by each category winner, exhibitions, and prizes.

 

A charitable donation is awarded annually to an organization or person in need that has supported Karaoke in Georgia.

 

The Annual Karaoke Music Awards continues to raise this favorite entertainment pastime to a new level for the Karaoke industry and the consumers who go out and engage in the sing-a-long entertainment on a regular basis.

 

Contact BIG Enterprises at (770) 642-0552 for additional information.

 

INSIDE THE GEORGIA STATE KARAOKE MUSIC AWARDS

 

The Annual Georgia State Karaoke Music Awards is the biggest karaoke EVENT in the state and requires the brainstorming, planning, and assistance of lots of people. An "EVENT" of this magnitude requires much more than just one person's knowledge and abilities. The event requires a number of COMITTEES facilitated by VOLUNTEERS. This 9th year requires 4 different committees and their respective teams. They are:

 

SPONSORSHIP COMMITTEE: The purpose of this committee is to procure sponsorship from various business, vendor and corporate sponsors. This committee targets companies like Budweiser, Coke, AirTran, Park Tavern, in addition to vendors like Priddis, Sound Choice, Karaoke.com, Music Maestro, Ken Stanton Music, ProSing and organizations like FOCUS and the Piedmont Park Conservancy whose 100 years anniversary was recognized at the 2004 KMA's.  Creating marketing brochures targeted to the aforementioned companies is a primary role of this committee. This team also interfaces with the selected event facility in conjunction with the PROGRAM COORDINATION COMMITTEE to establish event requirements like seating capacity, menu selections, vendor promotions and associated signage. Getting organizations to donate door and raffle prizes is also an important function of this committee in addition to providing input to BIG regarding the development, updating and maintenance of the www.BigKaraoke.com web site. They also provide input to the email blasts that are distributed to the public.

 

NOMINATING and VOTING COMMITTEE: This committee is responsible for all the process flows, rules and regulations associated with nominating, voting and the new King and Queen of Karaoke. Kits were developed this year for each Nominating and Voting Club to help the KJ's implement the process in their clubs more effectively. Those kits included forms, rules, regulations, guidelines and the Audience Nominating Forms. This committee also develops and markets a Club KMA Media Kit to all karaoke clubs throughout the state. A club listing and marketing script is used for this purpose. Calling each club from the www.BigKaraoke.com listing and offering them a chance to participate, as a VOTING or NOMINATING club is integral to this committee. Voting Club Drop Cards and Voting Club Calendars are also developed and distributed by this committee as Nominating Clubs and Voting Club Dates are established. Once the KMA Nominees are determined, this committee calls each person and verifies the contact information given by the nominating KJ or club. The Nominee is also given the Voting date and location to verify their attendance. Once the Nominee is confirmed, their information is placed on the General Public Voting Ballot. This team ensures the Voting Night KJ has a Voting Kit prior to the event and establishes a schedule for Voting Night Ballot Keepers and Ballot Managers. Once a clubs voting night ballots are tabulated, this committee notifies each of the top 3 finalists in each of the 7 singing categories. They also notify the final 3 Nominees in each of the non-singing categories based on the general public vote write-in tallies. A BIG RESPONSIBILITY for this team has been the addition of the King and Queen of Karaoke Awards Process. They use the combined, compact Event Survey and King/Queen Voting form to facilitate the tabulation process. Establishing an on-site tabulation and cross check process is an integral part of the King  & Queen awards. Another key responsibility of this committee is to have presenters at the event for each category. Working with the SPONSORSHIP COMMITTEE to ensure a key presenter of the King and Queen of Karaoke is established for each year’s event. Getting the crowns and all the other awards and certificates presented rounds out this teams responsibilities.

 

ADVERTISING and MARKETING COMMITTEE: One of the primary responsibilities of this committee is to design, develop and distribute all the advertising mediums used to market the event. That includes all the flyers, drop cards, invitations, and club table tent cards. This team also develops the Program Book and interfaces with the clubs, vendors, organizations and sponsors to get their ads. This committee also interfaces with the media on Press Releases, Media Kits, Event Stories and ads. The NOMINITING and VOTING COMMITTEE along with the PROGRAM COMMITTEE should work with this committee to get the correct logos and marketing direction and support.  All Advertising and Marketing Materials should be distributed to all participating club KJ's, clubs and vendors.  Maintaining a Media Contact List for radio, TV, News and publication contacts is a key responsibility for this committee along with a "filtered" Club Listing from the NOMINATING and VOTING Committees initial calling efforts. An AD Selling Script is used to help with this solicitation process. The Program Book is the ultimate output element of this committee. Vendor Signage interfaces and requirements are also established via this committee based on venue capabilities and space.

 

PROGRAM COORDINATION COMMITTEE:  This teams primary focus is to ensure the actual KMA event flows properly with all the correct elements. They include securing the facility, establishing the menu, seating chart and color coordinating the decorations, determining the entertainment, stage design/decorations and the VIP accommodations. Ticket Sales is the revenue generation portion of this committee. The design, numbering, distribution and collection of tickets is a key to the events success. Master and Individual Ticket Tracking sheets are used to help administer this process. The ticket price for the KMA's has been the same for the past 8 years with more FREE tickets given away each year. Having a host and/or hostess, securing the KMA Address Keynote Speaker and someone to sing the National Anthem which opens the event, someone to say the event Prayer before the food is served, people to collect tickets at the door, people to sell raffle tickets at the event, securing an event KJ who generally VOLUNTEERS, having Security for the VIP area, someone to coordinate the music collection for the top 3 nominees, and people to help pass out the awards and gift baskets. Getting someone to Photograph and Video the event for archive purposes is another responsibility of this team. This committee works with the other committee heads to determine where banners and signage are hung in the facility, how award prizes will be handed out, timing of the event survey and king/queen voting processes, door prize, raffle, charity groups and vendor table set up requirements. This team also coordinates all the activity and people in addition to the actual flow of the KMA days activities.

 

Each of these committees requires the assistance of many volunteer people in order for their committee to function properly. Each year the teams look for new people to work with. If you would like to VOLUNTEER to PARTICIPATE on a committee, PLEASE contact email BIG Enterprises at ThinkBig@Usinternet.com or call 770-642-0552.

 

 

WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?

 

There are so many different things each committee tries to accomplish on a regular basis when managing the annual KMA's. Each KMA Committee has primary responsibilities that can always use some fresh input. There are a few things that the KMA Team looks for and can use any assistance. PLEASE be a part of making this the BEST event in Georgia by helping us in:

 

1. Locating and securing a central facility that can hold up to 500 people. Vendor sponsorship dictates that the downtown Atlanta area is a good central location for most in the state. The facility must be open on Sunday, sell alcohol and other beverages, has a kitchen or will allow an outside caterer in addition to negotiating event sponsorship in exchange for space usage. Most of the current cost goes towards paying for the food which on average cost the KMA Team $15 per person at previous establishments.

 

2. Having a good Host and/or Hostess to carry the event. The idea is to have a celebrity host/hostess if possible. Getting celebrities to volunteer their time on a Sunday can be tough; however, some will do it. Radio, TV or Sports celebrities generally would consider an invitation.

 

3. Someone to open the event with the National Anthem and a Prayer before the food is served. In the past the Winner of the Georgia State Wide Contest has participated in the KMA event to perform the National Anthem, say the Prayer or just sing for the attendees. Other celebrities are invited to perform if their schedules will allow.

 

4. Get other karaoke bars involved. If you attend a karaoke show on a regular basis, just ask the KJ if they are aware of the Annual KMA's. Many times they are not although hundreds of calls are made to local establishments, the word still does not get delivered to the KJ's in many cases. Just ask any interested KJ or Bar to call BIG at 770-642-0552 or email at ThinkBig@Usinternet.com. They can also visit www.BigKaraoke.com for more information.

 

5. Making all singer's aware of the opportunity to get recognized at this yearly event. Sometimes other singers do not tell people they associate with about opportunities for them to participate in contests, awards and recognition events. Don't keep information to yourself regarding these types of events. KJ's should still inform singers who attend their shows of the KMA's although they may not have their club participating as a Nominating or Voting Club.

 

6. Purchase a ticket when they go on sale for the event. Attending the KMA's is one of the best investments one can make to support the karaoke industry. Top 3 Nominees and KMA Volunteers generally get into the event for FREE. Previous years events proved that it would be very difficult for one to get all that comes with a KMA ticket for $20 ANYWHERE in the state. It is a wonderful afternoon out for you and the entire family.

 

7. If you don't know JUST ASK! Don't spread false hoods about what YOU THINK the KMA's are and what they are accomplishing. Get the facts. Either call 770-642-0552 or email ThinkBig@Usinternet.com or visit www.BigKaraoke.com to get details and latest information.    

 

Over the past few years an event survey was taken from the event attendees. This input process has allowed the KMA Team to focus on the areas that suggested improvements. Each attendee’s survey is taken into consideration. That input has become valuable to the development of the KMA's future. So, get involved and in the mean time "JUST KEEP ON SINGING".