ALL ABOUT THE BALCONYTV MUSIC VIDEO AWARDS

So we are happy to say that the BalconyTV Music Video Awards were a complete success.

The first thing that was great was the attendance. Luckily for us they turned up good an early. We were swetting thinking people would straggle along too late; but we were happy to see the place well filled by 9 o' clock - showtime!!!

Maybe this was down to the free booze offering. An offer that soon died ofcoarse, as the 200 drinks we afforded for the night were quickly snapped up. Sorry to anyone who missed out, including the bands; if we get that sponsorship contract you can gaurentee there will be more next year.

Paulines band AlanAlda ( I'm reliably informed is one word and not two by Dermot) warmed up the audience from 8.30. They went down a treat for those in attendence. We were not expecting Pauline to manage to play; despite her dodgy sprained ankle, she also had a show to present. But being the trooper that she is, she successfully negotiated the performance, looking resplendid in her stunning black number. The performance impressed Eleanor McEvoy greatly!

Adam O' Regan of The Revolts (and my bro, who is as we speak doing Maths Paper II in the Junior Certificate), after shushing the crowd, opened the main event with a stirring version of the BalconyTV Theme.

Tom and Pauline got into the swing of things quickly. Arguments over this and that earlier in the day set aside. Pauline looking stunning, Tom looking like a Coney Island Ice Cream SalesMan. Roll Up Roll Up!!!

The first act to perform was the legendary Red Kid. An exuberant performance that was a feast for the crowds senses.

Meanwhile I was swetting to stage side, trying to keep everything in order. We had an 11 o' clock curfew and alot to fit in. We were simulataneously running a pretty ambitious filming operation. Things clearly had the potential to go wrong! I must have circumnavigated The Sugar Club 100 times in the coarse of the night.

I gave Kieron Black of the Sunday Roast and King Kong Club the award envelopes to look after. But ofcoarse I could never find him when I needed him. People were looking at me pretty strangly as I repeated again and again 'Has anyone seen Kieron Black? Anyone? Kieron Black?'.

Next on stage was the magnificent Leanne Harte, with a show performance that was pure rock. She clearly had a huge following on the night, and by the attention she recieved afterwards she must have gained a few more fans.

Alison Curtis of TodayFM presented the Best Male Award to Colm Lynch, who looked clearly stunned by the situation. The award itself looked great on the night, but like the others, as the heat built it began to melt! Gold paint left, right and centre! My advice to the winners was simple 'Eh sorry...just leave it in your room and don't touch it again'.

We gave those awards 6 coats of paint and 2 coats of gloss. And still the paint was coming off! Ah, what are you gonna do!

Eleanor McEvoy was next up. As the music genius she naturally is, she brought a new level of sophistication to the show.

The man himself Kieron Black was up to present Best Female. His energy levels defy the laws of gravity. I don't know what than man is on...but I could use some.

Leanne Harte won Best Female, in clearly a very talented category. It was great to see Bairbre Munnis, Riona Hartman and Pamela Connolly all in attendance. For my money, anyone of them could have won the award. I expect you'll see alot more from these talented women in the years to come. We didn't notice Sinead Martin around though.

Good luck to Bairbre Munnis in the Leaving Certificate! She had to take a break from her studies to attend the show.

Colm Lynch performed a couple of songs soon after. He swetted like no performer I've ever seen bar Christy Moore. No good when it comes to holding the BalconyTV Award. A cake was produced after the performance to celebrate Colms birthday. Chocalate Cadburys. Good stuff.

We couldn't believe it when we saw Paul Brady in attendance. He came along to support Bairbre Munnis on the night. But the support he has given BalconyTV to date has been amazing. But could he be convinced to play a tune? It wasn't scheduled! A good guitar would have to be found.

Mairtin De Cogain from the Fushia Band and The Wind That Shakes The Barley was next up. We were curious whether he would tell a story, or perhaps sing a song. Bodhran in hand, Mairtin did a classic version of Óró, Sé do Bheatha 'Bhaile. I was well impressed by this. I can't imagine he could have chosen a better tune for the night.

Mairtin would soon after present the Best World Music prize to Lauren Guillery. Now, its fair to say that Lauren Guillerys music is not 'World Music' per say...but she's French...so...eh...

We always said there was nothing scientific about these awards.

One of myself and Toms favourite performances came from Joe Doyle. Tom thinks hes scored a gig with Joe. Watch this space.

And then it was the man himself...'The one, the only...Paul Brady' shouted Tom and Pauline. The crowd went mad. Paul commented that BalconyTV gave him his big break. Pure class. He seemed to be enjoying himself as he blew away the crowd with The World Is What You Make It. I love that song...Na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na!!!

That really put the icing on the cake for me, Tom and Pauline...be we still had to get to the end of the show. Could we keep to schedule? The pressure was on.

Eleanor McEvoy was up again, this time to present Best Non Music Show. The award was won by Nam The Man...although none of us could see him on the night. Nam we have the award if you want it!

Pauline was dismayed that Cookie Monster didn't win.

Lauren Guillery and The Claws were next up to perform. After some technical difficulties and some complete ramblings from Tom, Lauren rocked the show. My bro was particularly impressed.

The night was drawing to a close...it was up to the legendary Shay Healy to present Best Band. He commented that its shameful that Irelands two main broadcasters don't support the music scene like BalconyTV. Shay also complimented me on keeping the show running on time. He said he had never seen anything like it. I blushed.

It was a tough contest but RoySeven took home the honors. Except ofcoarse, they were in Germany. They were cool enough to film a video specially for the show. I hope to post that on the blog later.

That was it...but there was still time for some more RocknRoll antics, as The Hot Sprockets were kicked out of the venue for exactly that...RocknRoll antics. We needed a replacement fast as they were due to close the show.

Red Kid!!! Tangarine...tangarine!!!

It was a perfect ending to the show.

Thanks to everyone that came along...all the performers, stage hands, Navarro Films...you know yourself...

Oh, and a shout out to www.collectableposterart.ie for donating the cool music posters for the raffle...

Providing the footage is good, and we get clearance from the various performers, we hope to release a DVD of the event by Christmas. Touch wood.

Heres hoping we can make it another year!