By Matt Murray

Why would any musician want a golden Victrola or a platinum record, when they could win a piece of wood?

On Nov. 12, mtvU, a 24-hour college network owned by MTV, will host its 5th annual Woodie Awards, which according to Ross Martin, vice president of programming at mtvU and executive producer of the awards, is “the definitive awards in college music.”

The Woodie Awards are solely based around artists who college students believe deserve attention. Some of the artists who have been nominated this year, such as Eddie Vedder, Lil’ Wayne and Kanye West, have already broken into mainstream music. But many of the nominees are looking for their chance to break through and just being recognized is award enough for them.

Martin emphasized that the Woodie Awards are college students’ chance to stand up and declare which artists they think deserve to be heard.

“College students are the crystal ball to the future of music,” Martin said. “They decide what is going to become popular.”

Just how involved are college students with the Woodies?

“College students are both in front of and behind the camera. They present awards, and help decide who wins,” Martin said. “College students have shown how eclectic their tastes are as this year’s nominees span across all genre lines.”

In the past, the Woodies have grabbed the attention of college students across the country, but Martin said this year the awards have received an unprecedented number of votes, and there are over two weeks left before the polls close.

When asked what caused such a spike in voter turnout, Martin expressed his excitement for this year’s newest Woodie Award category, the “College Radio Woodie.”

“I’m really excited about the ‘College Radio Woodie,’ ” Martin said. “It acknowledges the best student-run college radio stations across the country.”

Not only did Martin believe this new category stirred up excitement among fans, but he stressed the importance of college radio DJs and their impact on music nationwide.

“The passion of college radio DJs is unmatched,” he said. “They aren’t out partying or sleeping at 3 a.m. Their life is dedicated to finding that next great artist that’s on the brink.

“In the past we’ve had celebrities feud on stage, and artists openly cuss out record labels. But that’s the Woodies. Every year is a surprise.”

With that kind of organic entertainment, and an awards show aimed directly for the demographic we as college students are a part of, any students who are fans of music should have their Internet browser tuned-in to the Woodie’s Web site, (www.woodies.mtvu.com), come Nov. 12.