The Wizrocklopedia is excited to be bringing you our first annual Wizard Rock People’s Choice Awards! This exciting event is dependent upon YOU, the fans, who will be deciding not only the winners but also the nominees. Winners will be chosen based on a two part system to increase thoroughness and help ensure fairness. The two processes employed in this are Nomination and Voting. The event begins on Monday, January 22nd. Here’s how it’s going to happen.

The Nominations Process

January 22-February 5
Wizard rock fans will have the chance to nominate their favorite artists in 25 different categories. We encourage bands to take the time to look over our categories and suggest to their audience which categories to nominate them for. Individuals have only one chance to vote, so please be sure to pick exactly who you want before hitting that “submit” button. In order to take part, you must register your email address. An automated invitation will be sent to your inbox containing a link which will take you to the form. We are logging IP addresses. Only one nomination form will be accepted per email / IP address. All of this is in order to maintain a fair and honest voting process. We hope that those dedicated to taking part in the awards don’t mind the extra steps it takes to participate.

The Voting Process

February 9-23
The nominations will be counted quickly within the few days between the end of the nominations process and the beginning of the voting process. In the second part of the Awards, the nominees are reviewed and the top five nominated artists will be selected. You can then vote for your favorite. IP addresses will again be logged. You can only vote once. The voting will last until the 23rd.

The Winners

On March 1st, we will officially announce the winners! Winners will receive digital, as well as physical, awards featuring our “Golden Broomstick,” designed by our artist Dani. The Liftetime Acheivement and Honorary Wizrocklopedian Awards are the only two chosen by Wizrocklopedia staff members.

The Categories

Best Male Vocals
Any band with a male lead singer is eligible.

Best Female Vocals
Any band with a female lead singer is eligible.

Best New Artist
Only bands founded between January 1st and December 31st, 2006 are eligible.

Best Album
Any album released during 2006 can be nominated.

Best Song
Songs with their original release dates in 2006 are eligible.

Best Solo Artist
Bands officially consisting of a single person apply.

Best Duo
Bands consisting of exactly two official members are eligible.

Best Group Effort
Bands with more than two members are eligible for nomination.

Band of the Year
Any artist can be nominated.

Best Band Fronted By a Magical Creature
Artists or groups who perform or network AS full-blooded, magical creatures are applicable. Werewolves and vampires are not eligible for this category.

Best Music Produced From Beyond the Grave
Artists or groups whose members or spearhead perform as “deceased” characters are eligible.

Best Holiday Song
Your favorite holiday song, produced in 2006, whether it be for Christmas, Halloween, Valentine’s Day, is eligible.

Best Evil Wizard Rock Band
Only self-professed “evil” or “dark” wizard rock bands are eligible for this category.

The Best Kept Secret Award / Best Band You’re Not Listening To
To be eligible, a band must have fewer than 1,000 friends on MySpace.

Best Collaboration
Songs created by more than one band together and shared as either mp3s or videos on the Internet are applicable. The song itself would be nominated. Both bands will receive the honor.

Best Album Art
Awarded to the artist responsible for the art on an album of 2006.

Best Music Video
Any and all music videos featuring wizard rock songs created during 2006 apply, so long as copyrighted video footage is not used.

Best Youth Effort
At least one band member must be under the age of 14 to be eligible.

Best Instrumental/Rap/Folk & Country/Punk/Heavy Metal or Goth/Comedy
Each category receives separate recognition.

International Awards
For the best bands of 2006 outside of the US, whether they be based in the UK, Canada, Australia, etc.

Lifetime Acheivement
Awarded to a special band we believe is deserving of such an honor.

Honorary Wizrocklopedian Awards
Awarded to those who have contributed greatly to the site and/or reporting in wizard rock, as awarded by the staff.

Additional Info

Nominations and voting will be patrolled and tallied by Wizrocklopedia staff members. Any questions or concerns can be directed toward the staff, via email, to wizrocklopedia@yahoo.com.