Tokyo-based rock band The Bawdies and U.S. singer Lady Gaga were praised by Japanese record-shop workers at last week's CD Shop Awards.
The awards were organized, and voted on, by the Japanese union of record-store workers for the second year in a row. An accompanying media event aimed to bring attention to the importance of CDs and albums amid a downturn in sales, caused in part by online music downloading.
Twenty other artists were handed kudos from municipal chapters across the country. The Bawdies, who performed a song at the event from their album, "This is My Story," took the most votes for favorite Japanese act.
Lady Gaga was given the top nod among overseas artists. Pop's current queen expressed her gratitude via a scribbled thank-you note on a piece of cardboard.
The awards were started two years ago by record-shop owner Tatsuya Yuki.
"It is too bad people are forgetting the joy of going to a CD store to discover a good album," Yuki said. "I hope this will actually get people to go to a CD shop for their music."
