4BR has been informed that competing bands who took part in the recent BrassPass.tv 'UK Band of the Year' competition in Manchester are still awaiting payment of prize money and travel expenses for taking part in the event.
The inaugural contest which took place on Saturday 22nd June, saw nine top ranked UK bands compete for a share of the £10,000 prize fund, with each to be paid an additional £1,000 for entering.
14 day dispatch
In the Rules & Conditions for the contest it was stated that the prize money "shall be dispatched no later than 14 days after the contest."
If there was any protest lodged regarding infringement of the rules, these had to be made in writing with 7 days of the contest when any prize money involved would be withheld until the protest arbitration was concluded. 4BR understands none was made.
However, three weeks after the event it has been confirmed to 4BR by a number of the competitors that neither prize money or the £1,000 payments (to cover travel expenses) had yet been paid.
Bands were initially contacted by e-mail on Thursday 4th July and were informed that the organisers were "in the process of writing cheques for the Band of the Year Contest".
It was confirmed that the three podium finishers would receive £5,000, £3,500 and £1,500 respectively. In addition, each band would receive £1,000 travel expenses.
Apologies
4BR has been informed that a number of bands subsequently contacted BrassPass.tv following the 14 day period to enquire when payment was to be made.
In response it is understood that apologies have been made, with an explanation that IBB Media Ltd Managing Director Martin Gernon had gone on holiday to Mexico and had "forgotten" to sign the cheques before he went.
Efforts had been made to make payment via on-line bank BACS transfer, but due to his holiday destination he was "unable to get (a) signal".
It was added that it had been subsequently confirmed that the cheques would be signed on his return on Tuesday (16th July) and will be posted to all the bands.
it is understood that apologies have been made, with an explanation that IBB Media Ltd Managing Director Martin Gernon had gone on holiday to Mexico and had "forgotten" to sign the cheques before he went4BR
Basic requirement
Speaking to a number of band representatives who all confirmed payments had not yet been received, one stated that although they felt the contest itself had been a success on the day, they were disappointed that such a subsequent basic requirement had not been met on time.
"I think all the competing bands enjoyed the contest," they said. "We appreciate mistakes and oversights can be made, so this is unfortunate, especially as we were informed in writing in the rules and conditions that payment would be made within 14 days. That is now 20 and counting.
Cheques can take around 5 days to clear into appropriate accounts, so it will be around a month following the contest that we will eventually be paid."
