Love Horror? Want More? Rondo Awards time again!

Every year since 2003, David Colton and his Classic Horror Film Boards have presented the RONDO HATTON AWARDS! These treasured lil' statuettes are the only horror award nominated and voted on by classic horror fandom at large. This coveted acknowledgement within our community is much more friendly than competitive. Sure, we all want one. But at the end of the day, supporting the Rondos means fostering attention for the classic horror faire we love and encouraging the creation of more classic horror-related media for all of us to enjoy.

When you check out a RONDO BALLOT for the first time, I think you'll be surprised at the number of categories AND the sheer quantity of nominees listed. It's remarkable to note how many talented people are lending their energies to exploring the genre and keeping it alive through diligent, creative, well-researched work. If you are new to the genre or the Rondos, I can assure you that you won't find a more literate or well informed field. Now, I know there are a lot of categories. But be aware: YOU CAN VOTE ALL OF THE CATEGORIES - OR - JUST THE ONES THAT YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH. But I would challenge you to get up to speed with as many nominees and their works as you can. It'll be a rewarding effort.

As in most RONDO BALLOTS past, there are a number of Forrest J Ackerman-related projects nominated for honors this year. Here they are:

10. BOOK OF THE YEAR

FORRY: The life of Forrest J Ackerman, by Debbie Painter

And...

HOUSE OF ACKERMAN, by Al Astrella and Jim Greene

11. BEST MAGAZINE OF 2010

FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND

14. BEST MAGAZINE COVER

FAMOUS MONSTERS # 250, by Michael Heisler

You'll also enjoy voting on everything from "Best toy, model or Collectible" to "Best Blog of 2010"! At the end of the ballot you'll find a list of write-in categories which includes the prestigious "Monster Kid of the Year" Rondo. This is an honor that goes to the person the community feels put forth, "efforts beyond the call of duty to build a better world of gods and monsters." I can tell you first-hand that this nod is one of the great honors in our genre. I received it in 2009 for my care-taking of our beloved Forry Ackerman in the last years of his life. It was like a big hug of appreciation from the people most important to me. This year YOU get to decide who gets that hug!

Me and my very own Creeper!

So, amble on over to the RONDO AWARDS ballot and cast your vote. Just cut and paste the ballot into an e-mail and make all of your choices. Be sure to include your name on your ballot or risk disqualification! Send your votes to David Colton at: Taraco@aol.com no later than midnight of March 27th, 2011. Do it now! The monsters are listening!

Rondo comes home to Horrorwood and Forry!

A special "Thank You" to Horror-hero David Colton for administering the Classic Horror Film Board and for taking time out of his already ridiculous schedule to present the Rondo Hatton Awards to acknowledge outstanding achievements in the world of classic horror.

Forry would be proud...

This year's Rondo Award for "Best Fan Event" was handed out to ME for organizing the Forrest J Ackerman Tribute at the Egyptian Theater. Boundless thanks to all those who contributed to the success of the event; Tim Sullivan, Dan Madigan, Kevin Burns, Sue Stiefvater, Mat Sampson, Margo Gerber, Marc Doten, Denny Moynihan, Heather Lockie, Barry and all the speakers and attendees! It was a great send-off for our favorite Uncle.

RONDO Polls have closed! Results Tonight!

Thanks to everyone who voted THE FORREST J ACKERMAN TRIBUTE as BEST FAN EVENT on the RONDO AWARDS ballot. An extra-Gigantor thank you to dear David Colton who administers the entire Rondo effort, as well as counting the nearly 3000 votes - a new record! David is a prominent figure in his field and our genre and his generosity and dedication to our cause is incredibly Forry-like!

RONDO Monster Kid Hall of Fame & Comeback of the Year 2002!

This Rondo nomination was particularly important. It seems the more distance we get from Forry's passing, the fewer opportunities there may be to keep his name in the public eye. In my heart of hearts, I truly believe that the Forry Tribute just HAD to be the best event of the year! Not only because it was a once-in-a-lifetime happening, but it personified the best parts of our classic horror genre community and the very spirit the Rondo Awards seek to acknowledge and promote.

Proud Monster Kid of 2008 - ME!

I apologize to those of you who voted early and then had to endure my constant haranguing about getting your ballots in. The thing is, even though Forry is a beloved figure and the Forry-event was legitimately deserving of the award, there were MANY events in our category and some of our competition might have been more well-attended (our Egyptian Theater only seats 600). I couldn't risk sacrificing the opportunity for a potential Forry-Rondo to complacency. I hope my pushiness paid off?

The RONDO AWARDS will be announced tonight! To observe the awards ceremony LIVE, join the CLASSIC HORROR FILM BOARD and then attend the "BLIND HERMIT'S NEW HUT" chat room (6th forum from the top)! Best of luck to all the very deserving nominees. I hope we did enough to bring a posthumous Rondo home to Horrorwood for Uncle Forry!

It's up to you. RONDO or no? Help keep our beloved Uncle Forry in the Punshine!

Voting for the RONDO AWARDS ends tonight, April 3rd, at midnight! Please follow the instructions below and do your part to help insure that FORREST J ACKERMAN SHALL NOT DIE!

You do NOT have to vote the entire ballot. Just the categories you are familiar with or care to vote for. If you just wanted to vote for The Forry Tribute, here's how:

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• Write an e-mail to Rondo administrator David Colton at: taraco@aol.com
• In the e-mail field, write: Best Fan Event - Tribute to Forrest J Ackerman
• Include your name!
• Hit "SEND" - You're done!

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If you'd like to vote the entire ballot, you can find it here: RONDO BALLOT And here's the link to the DreadCentral Tribute article if you'd like to revisit the 4e event: FORRY TRIBUTE

Other Forry-friendly candidates: Steve Vertlieb's 4e article, The Drunken Severed Head blog, DreadCentral.com, lots of Rue Morgue, and you can also write in Forry pal and foremost woman of Horror - for Monster Kid of the Year: Jovanka Vuckovic and Best Indie Production: RED VELVET - featuring Forry's final cameo.

Thanks for helping to keep Uncle Forry in the genre spotlight. Even if you don't vote for our tribue, please consider voting. It's fun! The Rondo Awards help to keep our genre undead!