Detroit -The Executive Board of the Motor City Music Foundation has posted the following notice on its website:
"The MCMF is experiencing an alarming pattern of potentially fraudulent voter applications, using false identities and email addresses. To ensure the continued integrity of the DMA voting process, it has become necessary for the organization to be extraordinarily meticulous in ascertaining the credentials of new voters. 'The screening panel recently interviewed a 100 year old gentleman who had been represented as the drummer in a thrash metal band', reports MCMF President Howard Hertz. 'While we see the humor in that particular scenario, we do take the fraudulent applications very seriously.'"
The foundation asks that the high volume of new applicants please be patient with the slower and more detailed process. "We are investigating the erroneous claims and getting closer to isolating where they are coming from" says Hertz, "at that point we will consider appropriate legal action".
The 2006 Detroit Music Awards will be held on Thursday May 18 at the State Theatre.
Submission, the first phase of the three step voting process, will be open until February 6. Phase two, nominations, will be open from approximately February 20 until March 20, with final voting occurring between April 10 and May 1.
Detroit Music Awards voters must be actively involved in the local music industry. Voting is accomplished entirely via the internet. New applicants to vote may apply by visiting www.detroitmusicawards.com.
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mcmf@detroitmusicawards.com