Rules & Regulations

Purpose

The Dallas Entertainment Awards values excellence and commitment within our cultural community and seeks to highlight those who have made a significant impact through creative output and innovation within the local performance arts community. We are dedicated to acknowledging and celebrating the contributions of local talents, artists, and creatives who call DFW-Denton their home. By adhering to the Criteria and Guidelines below, and soliciting votes from the public, we hope to ensure a fair, ethical, and inclusive process that reflects the dynamic and diverse talents within our region.

1. Criteria for Eligibility

To ensure a fair and meaningful selection process, the criteria to be considered for the Dallas Entertainment Awards (DEA) are as follows

  • Eligibility Period. November 1, 2023 through October 31, 2024
  • Active Participation. Nominees must have actively performed or contributed to the vibrant Dallas Music, Arts, and Culture scene during the Eligibility Period detailed above. This includes but is not limited to, live performances, productions, or any other applicable creative work within the nominated Category that enriches our cultural landscape. “National” acts (i.e., performers who have a mailing address located in the Dallas area, and who are signed to a major release label, but who mainly perform and tour outside of Texas) will not be considered for an award
  • Creative Output. Nominees must have released an album, EP, music video, or other relevant content during the Eligibility Period detailed above.
  • Residency. Nominees must reside within the Dallas-Denton-Fort Worth Metroplex region for the greater part of the year
  • Human Authorship. Only human Creators are eligible for consideration for the Dallas Entertainment Awards.

2. Consideration for Nomination

Pre-Nomination (“Consideration”) votes will determine the Nominees in each Award Category for the Dallas Entertainment Awards.

  • Consideration Period. Potential Nominees may solicit Considerations from Supporters starting at 12.00 AM on November 1, 2024, through 11.59 PM on December 31, 2024.
  • Solicitations for Consideration. The DEA encourages potential Nominees to actively solicit nominations through social media and other channels.
  • i. For Your Consideration (FYC) - Potential Nominees may request a “ForYour Consideration” graphic from the DEA team to use without alteringthe DEA logo. Toy request a “For Your Consideration” graphic for one ormore Award Category email address or form
  • Creative Output. Nominees must have released an album, EP, music video, or other relevant content during the Eligibility Period detailed above.
  • Spam and Fraudulent Voting. The DEA reserves the right to disqualify any nominations determined to be fraudulent or spammy.
  • Consideration Tabulation. The Tabulations team of the DEA Committee will tally Consideration votes once the Consideration Period has ended. The five potential Nominees with the highest tally of Consideration votes will be recognized as official Nominees. At their discretion, The DEA Committee reserves the right to omit Categories with fewer than five potential Nominees.
  • Nominee Announcement. Official Nominees for the 2nd annual Dallas Entertainment Awards will be announced at 9.00 AM on January 14, 2025.

3. Official Voting

  • Voting Period. The voting period for official nominees begins at 9.00 AM on January 7, 2025 and closes at 11.59 PM on January 21, 2025.
  • Vote Submission. Voting is open to everyone, and voters are not required to vote in every Category when submitting their ballot. The DEA encourages voters to use their own discretion when casting their ballot. Supporters can vote once per day during the voting period via the DEA website (http.//www.dallasentertainmentawards.com).
  • Vote Tabulation. The Tabulations team of the DEA Committee will tally votes once the Voting Period has ended. The Nominee with the highest tally of votes will be recognized as the Category winner
  • Winner Announcement. Winners will be announced live at the 2nd annual Dallas Entertainment Awards Ceremony.

4. Award Categories

CONTENT & RELEASES*

  1. Song of the Year
  2. Album of the Year - contains more than 6 tracks, and is be between 30 - 60 minutes
  3. EP of the Year - contains 3 - 6 tracks, and is be between 15 - 29 minutes
  4. Best Duo/Group Song
  5. Best R&B Song
  6. Best Rock Song
  7. Best Latin Song
  8. Best Country Song
  9. Best Hip Hop Song
  10. Best Pop Song
  11. Best New Artist
  12. Best Pop Song
  13. Music Video of the Year November 1, 2023 through October 31, 2024
  • (*the nominees in these categories will be reviewed for content by a panel of technical experts to ensure quality control) LIVE MUSIC ACTS (by musical genre)
  1. Best Traditional R&B Act
  2. Best Contemporary R&B Act
  3. Best Funk/Soul Act
  4. Best Hip Hop Solo Act
  5. Best Hip Hop Group Act
  6. Best Country Act
  7. Best Traditional Latin Act
  8. Best Latin Contemporary Act
  9. Best Tropical Act
  10. Best Reggae Act
  11. Best Blues Act
  12. Best Rock Act
  13. Best Punk Act
  14. Best Punk Act
  15. Best Psychedelic Act
  16. Best Alternative Rock Act
  17. Best Americana Act
  18. Best Metal Act
  19. Best Pop Act
  20. Best Electronic Act
  21. Best Experimental / Noise Act
  22. Best Ambient Act
  23. Best Traditional Jazz Ac
  24. Best Experimental Jazz Act
  25. Best Tribute Act
  26. Best Gospel Act
  • INSTRUMENTALISTS
  1. Best Pop Vocalist
  2. Best Jazz Vocalist
  3. Best Soul Vocalist
  4. Best Rock Vocalist
  5. Best Pianist
  6. Best Guitarist
  7. Best Bassist
  8. Best Drummer
  9. Best Trumpet
  10. Best Saxophonist
  11. Best Auxiliary Percussionist
  12. Best Classical Strings

BEST DJ
    1. DJ of the Year
    2. Best DJ Residency
    3. Best Weekly DJ Residency
    4. Best DJ Party
    5. Best Vinyl DJ
    6. Best DJ Crew
    7. Best DJ w/ Live Music Act
    8. Best Turn Out & Turn Up
AUDIO, VISUAL, MEDIA, & RADIO
    1. Best Live Sound Engineer
    2. Best Recording Studio
    3. Best Audio Engineer
    4. Best Music Producer
    5. Best Record Label - local
    6. Best Songwriter
    7. Visual Artist Collaborator
    8. Best Graphic Artist
    9. Best Podcast
    10. Best Podcast Host
    11. Best Radio Station
    12. Best Radio Show
    13. Best Radio Host
    14. Best Art & Culture Blog
    15. Best Arts & Culture Journalist
    16. Best PR & Marketing Firm
    17. Best Editorial Photographer
    18. Best Concert Photographer
    19. Best Videographer
VENUES, RESIDENCIES, & PROMOTERS
    1. Best Live Venue Under 300 Capacity
    2. Best Live Venue 301 - 1000 Capacity
    3. Best Non-Traditional Venue - DIY Spaces, Art Galleries, Record Shops, etc
    4. Best Talent Buyer
    5. Best Party Producer
    6. Best Live Music Residency
    7. Best Live Music Series / Showcase
    8. Best Open Mic / Jam Night
    9. Best Music Festival
    10. Best DJ Venue
    11. Best Karaoke Night
    12. Best Door Person
    13. Best Bartender
    14. Comedy Venue
DRAG, BURLESQUE, & PERFORMING ARTS
    1. Best Drag Late Show
    2. Best Drag Brunch
    3. Best Burlesque Show
    4. Best Drag Queen
    5. Best Drag King
    6. Best Burlesque Performer
    7. Best Performing Visual Artist - Dance, Aerial, Fire, Acrobatics and Theatrical Performers with a visual focus.  
    8. Fashion Icon
    9. Best Fashion Designer
    10. Best Magician
    11. Best Comedian
    12. Best Poet
ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS (determined by the DEA Committee)
    1. Lifetime Achievement Award
    2. “Big D” Award

Voting Guidelines & Code of Conduct
To ensure the integrity of the awards process, voters must adhere to the following guidelines:
    ● Fair & Ethical Voting - All voting decisions should be based solely on artistic and
technical merits.
    ● Avoid Conflicts of Interest - Refrain from allowing personal relationships, company
loyalties, regional preferences, or sales volume to influence your vote.
    ● Prohibited Activities - Bribery, vote trading, and fraudulent or spam-like behavior are strictly prohibited. Do not accept money or anything of value in exchange for votes. The DEA reserves the right to disqualify any nominee or voter who fails to adhere to these guidelines, engages in behavior that undermines the integrity of the awards process or acts in a manner that is harmful, unethical, or illegal.
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