RECORDED SONG AWARDS

The Recorded Song category takes into account the performance and production of the song as well as the songwriting. Pearl Awards are awarded to the artist or creator (if significant), the producer and the Writer. Only new recordings are eligible, re-released recordings are ineligible. A song that does not share the genre of the majority of songs on its album may be entered in a different genre category than the album.

Sacred - recordings that are worshipful and chapel appropriate

Devotional - recordings that express devotion or testimony and which are "fireside appropriate" or stylistically more "gospel," "pop" or "soft rock" than sacred music

Motivational - recordings that celebrate a faith-centered outlook or lifestyle and which are "fireside appropriate" or stylistically more "gospel," "pop," or "soft rock" than sacred music and do not necessarily follow current trends in Top 40 or Contemporary Hit Radio

Singer-Songwriter/Folk - recordings which are mid- to up-tempo and stylistically contemporary, yet do not necessarily follow current trends in Top 40 or Contemporary Hit Radio

Contemporary Inspirational - recordings which are faith-oriented and stylistically similar to current trends in Top 40 or Contemporary Hit Radio

Contemporary - recordings that are stylistically similar to current trends in Top 40 or Contemporary Hit Radio

Sacred or Classical Instrumental - recordings that do not feature a vocal performance predominantly and which are either from the classical repertoire or are worshipful and chapel appropriate

Inspirational or Contemporary Instrumental - recordings that do not feature a vocal performance predominantly and are stylistically other than chapel-appropriate including folk, jazz, new age, acoustic, and other contemporary styles

Holiday - recordings with a lyrical theme that is obviously tied to a holiday, such as Christmas, Thanksgiving or Easter

Children's - recordings which are oriented toward children


ALBUM AWARDS

Albums are collections of 5 or more recorded songs. Pearl Awards are awarded to the Artist or Creator (if significant) and the Producer. Various songs on an album may be entered in different Recorded Song of the Year categories; however a majority of the songs determines the Album's genre category. Though an album may seem appropriate for more than one category, it can only be entered in one.

Sacred - albums that are predominantly worshipful and chapel appropriate

Inspirational - devotional or motivational albums which are "fireside appropriate" or stylistically more "pop" or "soft rock" than sacred music

Contemporary - albums that are stylistically similar to current trends in Top 40, or Contemporary Hit Radio

Sacred Instrumental - albums that do not feature a vocal performance predominantly that are worshipful and chapel appropriate

Classical Instrumental - albums of secular music from the classical repertoire that do not feature a vocal performance predominantly

Inspirational or Contemporary Instrumental - albums that do not feature a vocal performance predominantly and are stylistically other than chapel-appropriate including folk, jazz, new age, acoustic, and other contemporary styles

Theme or Concept - albums with a theme or concept that is more prominent than the artist(s), which may include holiday albums and multi-artist works.

Musical Presentation or Soundtrack - albums that are intended to be performed as a whole, either on their own (musical presentation) or ancillary to a presentation in another medium (soundtrack).

Compilation - albums of previously released recordings that have not previously appeared on the same album, released together for the first time for general distribution during the eligibility period. (The Pearl Award will go to the record label only.)

Holiday - albums with a lyrical theme that is obviously tied to a holiday, such as Christmas, Thanksgiving or Easter

Children's - album which are oriented toward children


ARTIST, ALBUM ACHIEVEMENT & INDUSTRY AWARDS

Recording Artist of the Year (Male, Female, Instrumental, & Group) - must have been the predominantly featured artist on an eligible album (previous year's winners are eligible only if the artist has a new eligible album not entered in the previous year's Pearl Awards)

Performing Artist of the Year - based on excellence in both recorded and live performances as well as overall contribution to excellence in the LDS music industry (entrants in this category need not have an eligible album or recording, but must have performed publicly during the eligibility period)

New Artist of the Year - must have been the predominantly featured artist for the fist time on an eligible album released during the eligibility period and cannot have previously been a finalist for a Recording, Performing or New Artist Pearl Award.

Album Design, Producer, Engineer, Studio Musician, & Studio Vocalist of the Year - awarded for work on an eligible recorded song or album

Songwriter & Arranger of the Year - must have written or arranged on an eligible recorded song or album (nominations in these categories are derived from the nominations in the Recorded Song and Album categories)

Radio Show Host, & Retail Manager of the Year - awarded for work during the eligibility period