Channel V day

Creative stars win awards

By Suwitcha Chaiyong
Photos courtesy of Channel V Thailand

Over the past few years, the Channel V Thailand music video awards have attracted viewers with exciting performances by popular international artists. This year's award event was a bit different, with the focus on Thai music.

The theme for the event was called Our Song, and the aim was to promote local artists and to discourage illegal downloading of music.

The awards were divided into three main categories — popular awards voted by viewers, and the best awards and special awards voted music industry professionals.

HALL OF FAME

This year, the Hall of Fame award went to Lek Wongsawang, the pioneer who 40 years ago first published The Guitar book, featuring guitar chords for hundreds of popular Thai songs. The book since has been a great tool for many aspiring guitarists who have gone on to become professional musicians. Unfortunately, Lek has already passed away, so his daughter accepted the award on his behalf.

PIONEERING ROCK

Legendary rock duo Asanee and Wasan Chotikul were awarded Thai Pradit (Thai Creation Award), which is given to Thai artists who create truly unique work. The Chotikul brothers are pioneers who successfully blended Thai songs with Western-style rock music.

OUTSTANDING IDEAS

Two music videos shared the Jeed Ton Jai (Outstanding Idea Award) this year. The video for Pae Arak's song, "Sarim (Sadist)," directed by Non Palakul and Woranat Worapitak, was one of the winners. The other was "Tidtang (Direction)," sung by Greasy Café and directed by Siwapak Jierawanalee.

Although made with low budgets, both videos featured interesting stories told through the use of innovative and creative ideas.

ROCKING BANGKOK

The highlight of the event was the live performances by various artists.

When Thai hip-hop veterans Thaitanium took to the stage with Da Endorphine to perform "Mahankorn (Bangkok City)," the entire audience was mesmerised. Da's soulful voice blended well with Thaitanium's cool rapping style, and it was a great way to kick off the ceremony.

FANTASIA FUN

Academy Fantasia stars Zani, Nat, Nattew, Patcha and Tol also put on a great show. Each singer showed how well they could perform, with female singers Zani and Patcha particularly impressing the crowd. The audience went wild when Patcha improvised some beautiful vocal lines at the end of their performance.

MAINSTREAM MAGIC

The crowd was most impressed by the skillful Sony Music artists Singular, ToR+ and Slot Machine. ToR+ and Sin from Singular performed "Pleng Kor Huajai (The Song of Heart)" and "Bao Bao (Tender)" as duets.

Slot Machine then rocked the stage with their powerful performances of "Suan Dok Mai (Garden)" and "Goodbye."

SONGS FOR LIFE

Rapper F*cking Hero performed the thoughtful "Seang Pleng Puea Sang Kom (A Song for Life)," a song that encourages singers to produce constructive songs.

Along with Stamp Apiwat, F*cking Hero also co-wrote "Rathreesawat (Good Night)," a song dedicated to soldiers in southern Thailand. When the Joey Boy-directed video for "Good Night" won the best music video award, F*cking Hero encouraged everybody in the hall to give a peace sign as he thanked the soldiers who risk their lives to try to bring peace to Thailand.

BODYSLAM SINGALONG

Rock superstars Bodyslam were the finale of the event. Even though they played an acoustic set, the group didn't disappoint with their performance. Charismatic singer Toon was playful with the audience, and everybody sang along with the hits "Klam (Indigo)" and "Yak Pen Kon Thee Took Rak (Wanna Be Someone You Love)," bringing the ceremony to a happy end.

Award Winning Videos and Artists

Local Artists

Thai popular music video: "Too Much So Much Very Much" sung by Thongchai McIntyre and directed by Donpadoong Wichian

Thai popular male artist: Nat Sakdatorn

Thai popular female artist: Pan Thanaporn

Thai popular group artist: Bodyslam

Thai popular new artist: Singular

International Artists

Popular music video: "Just the Way You Are" sung by Bruno Mars

Popular male artist: Bruno Mars

Popular female artist: Beyonce

Popular group artist: The Black Eyed Peas

Popular new artist: Bruno Mars

Popular Asian artist: JYJ

Best Video

Best video: "Good Night" sung by F*cking Hero and Thee Chaiyadej and directed by Joey Boy

Best video director: Kongdej Jaturanrasamee for "Kon Thee Kao Jai (Someone Who Understands Me), sung by Nologo