The founder of the Shortlist Music Project – something of a US version of the Mercury Music prize – has said he is in negotiations with TV networks to screen the event on 16 Oct where the overall winner is announced.
Tom Sarig told Billboard: "We're in discussions for a Shortlist television special with a cable outlet. We're also planning a tour right now that will go out right after the show, as well as a compilation CD featuring many of the nominees. Basically, we're expanding on our mission to enlarge the audience for some of the best emerging artists."
Among the panel choosing the albums to go on the (not so) short list of best albums for this year are: Dave Matthews, Tori Amos, Tom Waits, Coldplay's Chris Martin, Spike Jonze, Cameron Crowe, Mos Def, Gwen Stefani, the Neptunes, Ahmir Thompson of the Roots and Erykah Badu.
Commetning on his judging panel Greg Spotts said: "The listmakers seem to understand what we're trying to do better and better every year -- we get fewer nominations from artists who have sold a ton of records and we get more and more with a remarkable range and diversity."