Honoring The Best Of The Concert Biz

Cranky comedian Lewis Black will have plenty of backup when he hosts the Pollstar ConcertIndustry Awards on February 15th at The Theatre At Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

Mix Master Mike, who normally handles the turntables for the Beastie Boys, will providethe intros for what promises to be the most eclectic list of guest presenters in the show’s 17- yearhistory.

Wayne Newton will welcome everyone to Las Vegas in his own voice which is more thanwe should expect from presenter Rich Little.

We expect to get a kick out of Steven Seagal at the podium and we’ll take a lick or twofrom Juliette Lewis before Tai Babilonia skates circles around us.

David Brenner’s comic genius should contrast well the Firesign Theatre’s Peter Bergman.

Rounding out the initial list of special guest presenters are David Cassidy, Cy Curnin ofThe Fixx, Roberta Flack, Denny Laine, Salvador Santana, Blue Man Group, Esteban, and Dave Mustaine and Bob Welch with many more yet toconfirm.

The Concert Industry Awards recognize the people whose efforts continue to broaden andenrich the industry and the concert experience itself.

Each year Pollstar invites a cross section of international music business professionals tomake the nominations for these awards. Winners are then determined by votes from theinternational readership of Pollstar magazine.

Tickets for the event are $150 and are available here.

Among those nominated for awards are:

Major Tour of the Year

Coldplay

Green Day

Kenny Chesney

Paul McCartney

Rolling Stones

Most Creative Tour Package

Def Leppard / Bryan Adams

Foo Fighters / Weezer

Gwen Stefani / Black Eyed Peas