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The 35th Golden Melody Awards Nominees Revealed: Liu Chīng-chíh and Cheng Hwa Jiuan Honored with Special Contribution Awards


......... 2024/5/16 .
The Bureau of Audiovisual and Music Industry Development, MOC announced the nominees for the 35th Golden Melody Awards on May 16th. This year, 303 companies, 1,568 albums, and 24,071 works were submitted for the competition. After three stages of review by the jury—initial review, qualification review, and re-evaluation over three months, 148 works were nominated for 27 awards. Among them, Asia Muse Entertainment Co., Ltd. stood out with 12 nominations, and the album "Flow" led with 8 nominations. Minister of Culture Shih Che announced that this year's Special Contribution Awards will go to Mr. Liu Chīng-chíh and Ms. Cheng Hwa Jiuan.

Mr. Liu Chīng-chíh is a pioneering arranger in the Taiwanese-language music scene and has produced numerous popular instrumental albums, including well-known titles such as "Double Stereo Electronic Organ" and "Million Guitars." His works are characterized by their strong emotional impact and have become familiar background music in the lives of Taiwanese people. Liu has arranged thousands of songs, including classics like Yeh Chi-Tien's "Ai Piah Cia Eh Yia," Jody Chiang's "You Must Endure" and "Remastered," and Chen Hsiao-yun's "Ai tsing cha cha." These classic hits often have lively rhythms that resonate with the shared emotions of everyday people. In bustling night markets, at roadside noodle stands, in taxi cabs, and in the driver's seats of long-haul trucks, these songs bring comfort and companionship to hardworking individuals. Thank you, Mr. Liu, for defining the "authentic Taiwanese flavor" in the hearts of the people. This year's GMA Special Contribution Award is dedicated to honoring Mr. Liu, who has been tirelessly working in the industry for over sixty years as a musician.

Ms. Cheng Hwa Jiuan was a rare professional creator during the golden age of Taiwanese pop music in the 1980s and 1990s, excelling in both lyric writing and composing. She was also a talented singer. Her classic works, such as Michelle Pan's "Thank You for Loving Me," Sarah Chen's "Be wise, be easy," Zheng Yi's "Heaven," Stella Chang's "La California" and "Men's Talk," Jody Jiang's "Remastered," and Ukulele's "Youth Travel," are not only widely sung but also marked turning points in the singers' careers. Her collaboration with lyricist Shen Zhi on "This Road of Love" became a milestone in the era-defining "New Taiwanese Song" genre.

At a time when women were generally still oppressed by society, Cheng Hwa Jiuan's talent and courage established a high level of professionalism and dignity for female creators in the competitive music industry. Her works often portray brave and independent female figures, inspiring listeners to embrace a new era of openness and diversity, and quietly propelling societal change in Taiwan. This year's GMA Special Contribution Award honors her exceptional talent and the inspiration she brought us.

In the technical category of recording awards, the "Best Vocal Album Recording" Award had 375 entries, and the "Best Instrumental Album Recording" Award had 59 entries, with 5 nominees for each award. The judges for this category noted that the nominees for the Best Vocal Album Recording Award showcased proficient recording, post-production, and mixing techniques. Each nominated work aimed to create a unique identity for the performer through innovative soundstage design and overall sound engineering, exploring the emotional boundaries of sound and narrating the album's story in full, providing a high-quality listening experience. The nominees for the Best Instrumental Album Recording Award demonstrated impressive sound combinations through excellent recording techniques, each with a distinct personal character, and offered unique interpretations of frequencies and soundscapes, elevating music beyond words and images to create a deeply moving auditory experience.
In the Best Music Video Award category, this year saw 892 entries, with 7 making the cut. The judges praised the nominees for their seamless integration of music and visuals, creating an immersive experience. The choreography perfectly matches the beats, and the lyrics and music are deeply embedded in the performance, making these videos powerful marketing tools for the artists. The international appeal of these works was also considered to broaden the GMA's audience.

In the Best Album Design Award category, there were 233 entries, with 5 nominees. The judges highlighted the sophisticated use of imagery, materials, and printing techniques, which tell diverse and profound music stories. These designs stand out with their original concepts, creating unique experiences that inspire listeners and consumers to cherish them.

In the Instrumental category, there were 65 entries for the Best Instrumental Album Award, 63 for the Best Instrumental Album Producer Award, and 711 for the Best Instrumental Composer Award, with each award having 5 nominees. The judges noted that the nominees for the Best Instrumental Album Award showcased a wide range of styles with high-quality and internationally-standardized recordings. Some works impressed the judges with their deep cultural elements. For the Best Instrumental Album Producer Award, the nominees demonstrated mastery over complex production processes, with some creatively blending Eastern and Western elements. The Best Instrumental Composer Award nominees achieved a balance between experimental and listenable music, excelling in various genres like folk, jazz, electronic, and classical, breaking new ground and earning high praise.

This year's Golden Melody Awards jury is chaired by the renowned musician Eric Chen. Chen is a music producer, chairman of Enjoy Records Co Inc., president of 1500 Sound Academy Taipei, and an adjunct associate professor at National Taiwan Normal University. He has produced over 300 albums for artists such as Jody Jiang, Penny Tai, and A-Mei, and continues to play an active role in the Mandarin pop music scene.

The Minister of Culture Shih Che made a speech that Taiwan needs a cultural emblem, and music is the most impactful cultural emblem. The Golden Melody Awards represent the highest honor in popular music, with the number of entries increasing year by year. To ease the burden on the judges, this year's Golden Melody Awards have expanded the jury from the usual 90 members to nearly 160. He also expressed gratitude to the musicians who participated in the judging process, both in front of and behind the scenes. Finally, he hopes that this year's broadcast of the Golden Melody Awards will break away from traditional television thinking to align with the trend of online streaming and expand the reach of the awards across Asia and the world.

The Bureau announced that the 35th GMA Ceremony will be held at 7 PM on Saturday, June 29th, at Taipei Arena. This annual pop music extravaganza promises a spectacular presentation, inviting everyone to witness the glorious moments of outstanding musicians on stage and to cheer for the winners. The entire program will be broadcasted by TTV. For more details, please visit the Golden Melody Awards official website (https://gma.tavis.tw/) or their Facebook page (search: GMA).
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