I just found out that "Yeraz" by Gor Mkhitarian was nominated for Best Alternative Folk Album, Gor was nominated for Best Newcomer, and "Armenian Voices" by the Hover Chamber Choir of Armenia was nominated for Best Liturgical Album by the Armenian Music Awards in Los Angeles, CA USA. The awards ceremony will be at the Alex Theater in Glendale, CA USA on November 24, 2002 at 5pm. It will be televised on local cable TV in the Los Angeles area and via satellite worldwide. Congrats to Gor, the Hover Choir, and EVERYONE who helped out, purchased, and performed on these CD's. I can't thank everyone enough... Let's see what happens on the 24th...I'll be attending the awards ceremony and hopefully I'll get to see some relatives in California for the weekend. I visit California about once every five years or so. Glendale is pretty fun. I grew up in Chicago, moved to Boston, and it's always fun to check out L.A. If you're out in L.A. and are at the after-hours party for the ceremony, stop by and say hello.

I spoke to Gor on the phone today from Armenia and he just finished up the first video for the as yet unreleased "Godfather Tom" album (Summer 2003). The song is called is called Sassoonsiner and footage was mainly taken from their concert at the Genats Festival in October 2002. He is pretty pumped about the AMA nominations. Both of us never expected it. Also, from what I hear, the Hover CD release party is under control and will be at Aram Khatchaturian Hall in Yerevan, Armenia on November 23, 2002. If you plan on being in Armenia during that time, please contact the ever-vivacious Rhoda Manouk for details. She is doing a fantastic job in coordinating the Hover stuff...