MtvU, MTV's 24-hour college network, is hosting its third annual Woodie Awards airing live Nov. 2, at 7 p.m.
The winners are based solely on student votes. Students can vote for their favorites until Oct. 20 at mtvU.com or any of mtvU's mobile partners.
The Woodies mark a significant multi-platform milestone, as the show premieres simultaneously on mtvU, mtvU.com and mtvU Mobile, as well as Microsoft Windows XP and Xbox 360.
The entire show will also premiere on demand at mtvU.com - giving viewers the power to experience every moment in whatever order they wish, "remix" it, save it to their setlist and e-mail it to their friends.
In addition, for the first time, a special half-hour version of the "Woodies" will also air on MTV and MTV2, with the MTV premiere set for November 4 at 9 p.m., and an encore performance on MTV2 scheduled for November 5 at 10p.m.
Students have helped establish the Woodies as a crystal ball for the music about to break big, propelling their favorite artists to mainstream success.
Some of the most notable success stories from the past two years include Fall Out Boy, the Killers, Matisyahu and the Afters - all of which saw their careers skyrocket after the Woodies.
More than one million student votes were cast for last year's Woodie Awards, as the college audience declared Death Cab for Cutie, Muse, Motion City Soundtrack and My Chemical Romance as the enduring stars of tomorrow.
This year's Woodies will feature students in front of the camera and behind the scenes, as they present, introduce and honor their favorite music and artists.
Some of the artists that are nominated are Imogen Heap and Arctic Monkeys, leading the pack with three nods each, Angels & Airwaves, up for Woodie of the Year, Atmosphere, up for Streaming (most downloaded) and Woodie of the Year, and The Academy Is, also up for Streaming and Woodie of the Year.
Tom from Angels & Airwaves, Slug from Atmosphere, William from The Academy Is and Imogen Heap all sounded off during a conference call about their nominations, touring and life in general.
Tom Delonge from Angels & Airwaves
Students may know Tom Delonge better as the vocalist and guitarist for Blink 182 and Box Car Racer, but Delonge likes where he's at right now.
"When I was in Blink we were happy to sell out venues with only 2000 fans, but with Angels & Airwaves, I can choose where I go," he said. "If people can be affected the way I was affected by starting this group we've done our job."
Delonge is really excited about the Woodie nod.
"It's really cool because this is what we get on the stage every night to do - make an impact," he said. "I can't wait to see what the awards look like with the name 'Woodies' I don't know how I'll make it through the show without making at least one joke."
Slug from Atmosphere
"I am really confused as to why students would listen to the crap we make, but it's cool," said Slug, the vocalist from Atmosphere, the hip-hop group that has been blowing up the downloads department on mtvU.com.
The band's popularity may baffle Slug, but it surely doesn't surprise mtvU executives, which is why they are nominated for the Streaming Woodie as well as Woodie of the Year.
"It feels really good being recognized even though we didn't do anything different except pass our video to mtvU," he said.
Slug is proud to be old enough to be influenced by classic hip-hop artists.
"I grew up listening to pillars like KRS-One, Chuck D and Big Daddy Kane," he said. "I am 34 years old so I am proud to say that I don't make music about bling and cars."
William Beckett from The Academy Is
"Students are very important to us because we are college aged ourselves. If we weren't making music we'd be in college, too," said William Beckett, who sings vocals for The Academy Is.
The band has been rising fast since their rookie album "Almost Here" debuted.
"MtvU has been really cool for embracing us," he said. "Hand s down mtvU is where we got our start."
Beckett said they are working on their sophomore album now and they are coming up with some good stuff.
"This is easily the best material that we've ever put out," he said. "I've never felt completely myself in my songs until now.
"This new album is about embracing who we are and show people that it is ok to be who you are."
Imogen Heap
Being on "The Garden State" soundtrack is where most Americans can remember hearing her music, but Imogen Heap has been preparing for the spotlight since she was a girl.
"I grew up playing the piano," she said. "It is the most inviting instrument, so I played it as loud as I could."
She is thankful for the nominations for Breaking Woodie (best emerging artist), Left Field Woodie(most original artist) and Streaming Woodie (most downloaded), but just being able to do what she loves is the important thing.
"What matters most to me is writing music," she said. "It was actually wonderfully freeing not having to work with a record label on my album."
Imogen Heap is set to perform on the show along with Beck, TV on the Radio and Gym Class Heroes.
Check out mtvU.com for the list of nominees and to vote for your favorites. The deadline is Oct. 20. The awards air Nov. 2 at 7 p.m.
