The Music Managers Forum (MMF) and Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) are delighted to announce that Sam Fender and his manager Owain Davies (od management) will receive the FanFair Alliance Award for Outstanding Contribution to Live Music at the 2019 Artist & Manager Awards (A&MAs).

Sponsored by Selina, this years A&MAs takes place at London’s Bloomsbury Big Top on Thursday November 14th.

BBC Radio 1’s Huw Stephens is confirmed as our host and presenter.

Forging his career in grassroots venues across the UK, Sam Fender has developed into one of the country’s most exciting and engaging live performers. Following a current string of US and European dates, not to mention the recent number one album Hypersonic Missiles (Polydor), his sold out UK tour kicks off in Manchester on November 22nd, culminating in a huge hometown show at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena in April 2020.

Throughout this meteoric rise, and with the support of manager Owain Davies and agent Paul Wilson (CAA), Sam has consistently taken measures to stop the exploitative practices of online touts and secondary ticketing platforms while ensuring fans are provided with clear information about authorised ticket sites. The importance of artist communications was at the heart of a recent FanFair Alliance guide, and Sam and Owain will receive their award in recognition of this stance.

Adam Webb, Campaign Manager, FanFair Alliance said:

“Since the launch of the FanFair campaign there’s been a real clampdown on exploitative practices in the UK’s secondary ticketing market. The success of these measures are ultimately down to the efforts of artists and promoters, and Sam has consistently proven how some fairly simple terms and conditions and a clear communications strategy can make a major difference. On behalf of FanFair Alliance, I’m so pleased Sam and Owain are accepting this award and encourage others to follow their example.”

MMF and FAC are announcing two further A&MA winners today, with Andy Varley, founder of Insanity Group to pick up the coveted Entrepreneur of the Year Award, while Sandy Dworniak will be awarded 2019’s Writer / Producer Manager of the Year, in association with Songtrust.
Launching Insanity in 1997 at the ripe old age of 17, Andy has gone on to establish a multi-faceted global entertainment business that incorporates management of music clients such as Wilkinson, David Rodigan, Shy FX, Big Heath and Jvck James, and broadcasters Jo Whiley, Tiffany Calver, Alice Levine, Maya Jama, Roman Kemp and Abbie McCarthy as well as touring and influencer marketing.

In 2015, Andy pioneered a JV with Sony Music UK Chairman & CEO Jason Iley to create Insanity Records, enjoying a no.1 and No.2 album with Craig David, and a No.5 breakthrough album with Tom Grennan. Insanity Records’ roster also includes hotly tipped Joy Crookes, JNR Williams, Lennon Stella and AJ Mitchell. While in 2018, Insanity acquired the music management company 7980 Ltd, including their entire roster of artists, writers and producers. Clients included Wilkinson, Rodigan, Friction, Cadenza, Louis Mattrs and Brad Ellis.

In recognition of his work, earlier this year Andy was invited to become an ambassador of the UK government’s GREAT Britain campaign, and the MMF and FAC are delighted to add Entrepreneur of the Year to his list of successes.

We are also thrilled to announce Sandy Dworniak as the 2019 Writer / Producer Manager of the Year, in association with Songtrust.

Establishing her management business, This Much Talent, in 1991, Sandy has worked with an internationally renowned roster of clients for more than 25 years, with the company’s initial success sown by Nellee Hooper, artist/composer Craig Armstrong and the producer Jim Abbiss – who remains on the roster to this day. This Much Talent also branched into music supervision, working on (amongst other films), Baz Lurhman’s Romeo and Juliet – awarded ‘Best Achievement in Film Music’ at the 51st Bafta Film awards.

Over the years, Sandy and her clients have collaborated with some of the world’s most influential artists, from Massive Attack, Foo Fighters, Kylie Minogue, Bjork and Amy Winehouse to Arctic Monkeys, Kasabian, Adele and most recently on Stormzy’s No. 1 hit “Vossi Bop”

Sandy’s current roster includes Jim Abbiss (Adele, Arctic Monkeys, Kasabian), Liam Howe (Lana Del Rey, FKA Twigs, Mariana & the Diamonds), 6 Figure Music (Skepta, Stormzy, Wiley), Chris Andoh (Stormzy, Bia), Parker Ighile (Rhianna, Nicki Minaj, Jesse Jay), Emma Rohan (Little Mix, James Arthur), Richard X (Kylie, New Order, Sugababes), Fred Abbott (Noah and the Whale, Marius Bear), Neil McLellan (The Prodigy, Carl Cox), Pascal Gabriel (Dido, Kylie, S Express) and Barny (Half Moon Run, Sam Fender).

Annabella Coldrick, CEO, MMF said:

“Each year, the A&MAs provide a unique opportunity to celebrate the achievements of a whole spectrum of artists and managers. Having helped establish the FanFair campaign through the MMF, I’m truly delighted that Sam Fender and Owain Davies are being acknowledged for their promotion of fair ticketing practices, and also that we can shine a light on the career successes of Sandy Dworniak and Andy Varley. Both have developed truly game changing businesses and fully deserve the recognition they’ll receive on November 14th.”

As previously announced, other confirmed winners at the 2019 Artist & Manager Awards include Nile Rodgers (Artists’ Artist Award, sponsored by PPL), Rebecca Boulton and Andy Robinson (Managers’ Manager Award) and Neneh Cherry (Pioneer Award, sponsored by Facebook).

A full list of winners and nominees will be revealed before the end of the month.

For the 2019 Awards our headline sponsor is the disruptive hospitality brand Selina. Founded in Latin America in 2015 and now operating in 52 locations throughout the world including the UK, Selina blend beautifully-designed accommodation with co-working facilities, recreation, wellness and local experiences – working with local artists, creators and tastemakers.

Businesses or individuals interested in additional sponsorship opportunities should contact Romano Sidoli – romanosidoli@gmail.com

Table bookings for the awards are available now. For more details email jayne@themmf.net or visit https://amawards.org

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