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THE IRRELEVANT Grammies are a month gone, and the stuporous Oscar telecast is beginning to fade from memory. But just when you thought the world was safe from statuettes, here comes the latest in the "now the envelope, please" sweepstakes: the New York Music Awards.
Since this is the first year for the New York Music Awards, there is cause for optimism. For one thing, tomorrow night's show at the Felt Forum won't be on TV, and it won't be carried live on the radio. (One of the sponsors is WPLJ, which seems hypocritical, since the station plays only the most minuscule fraction of artists nominated for awards.) The New York Music Awards are so new, in fact, that they don't even have a cute or obnoxious nickname, such as the "Nyammies."
The prime mover behind the New York Music Awards is Robbie Woliver, co-owner of Folk City. "We wanted to create something that would celebrate the diverse personality of the New York music scene," Woliver said. "We decided awards were the best way to generate that interest, and to pay tribute to the artists who create that scene."
Awards will be given in 44 competitive categor ies. Finalists in each category were chosen by more than 400 people involved in the local music industry, from managers and record store employees to disc jockeys and critics. The winners were chosen by a combination of critics and the public, by what Woliver laughingly describes as "a peculiar formula devised by scientists."
There will also be a noncompetitve Hall of Fame presentation. These honorees are Harry Belafonte, Harry Chapin, Lou Reed, songwriter Doc Pomus, and producer/talent scout John Hammond Sr.
In the competitive categories, rock singer David Johansen, who also...