Boston Music Award Nominations Announced

Nominations for the 20th Annual Boston Music Awards (BMAs) were announced today and it was good year for Massachusetts metal.

Killswitch Engage, Shadows Fall and the Berklee-linked prog veterans of Dream Theater all scored multiple nominations. Killswitch led the field with seven.

All three acts will vie for the top prize, Act of the Year, against emo sensations Boys Like Girls (five nominations) and singer-songwriter Lori McKenna (four), who got a national profile boost this year following a tour with Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. Reunited alt-rock trio Dinosaur, Jr. is also in the running.

Others receiving more than one nomination include singer-songwriters Matt Nathanson and Josh Ritter with four apiece, power popsters The Click Five, rockers Buffalo Tom and the Slip with three each.

Awards will be handed out in 27 different categories on Dec. 1 at the Orpheum Theatre. Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer will serve as the BMAs honorary chairman.

Proceeds from tickets and an accompanying online auction will benefit Music Drives Us and the Berklee City Music Program.

Fans can see the entire nominee list and vote online here. Voting concludes on November 16. Tickets are $35-$100 and are on sale now here.