Your album is eligible for the 2008 CARAs if:
1) It was released to the public in the 2007 calendar year. We cannot accept CD-Rs or any other unfinished form of your album, but we will be glad to accept it the following year, once it has been released.
2) At least one track on the album is entirely a cappella. In order to be considered in any best album category, more than half of the tracks must be a cappella, but even a single a cappella track will be considered in a best song category.
3) It is received at the CASA office no later than January 1, 2008. Discs released in 2006 must be received by January 1st, 2008. Unfortunately, a postmark of January 1 is not acceptable. We would also like to note that the earlier you send your album the more time we will have to listen. Although every album is given the same length of time for consideration, and all are re-listened to by nominators between January 1 and 10, it does make it easier for our nominators if they can spread the initial listening over weeks or months rather than days. We understand how much hard work goes into album production and we would like to give each disc the attention it deserves.
If an album contains music of multiple styles, each song will be considered in the category for which it is most appropriate. Our nominating panel listens to every song on every album no matter what (so long as its a cappella). You can find out more about what happens once the albums leave your hands by going to the nominations area of this website.
For the most part, four (4) albums and four (4) songs are nominated in each category. Nominations are usually announced February 1 and winners are usually announced April 1. We do our best to keep these time schedules accurate. We know how difficult waiting can be!
To submit an album: 1) Mail us two (2) production copies of the album, including liner notes and in any final retail packaging. Again, CD-Rs or pre-production runs will not be accepted. Mail albums to the following address:
CARA Submissions
c/o CASA
4001 Calaveras Road
Milpitas, CA 95035-7202 U.S.A.
NOTE: We have received quite a few incomplete submissions - these will still be included in the running for CARA Awards, but does make our job a bit harder. Please make sure to include TWO copies of your album, and a paper with contact info so we don't need to search tiny liner notes while entering information in our database - Name, email, phone number (optional), and any other relevant info about your group such as category (we might not know if you are a religious, barbershop, or comedy group just from looking at the cover and keeping up with the data.) Also let us know which of your tracks are original!
