Marián Varga presents the Slavík for Female Singer of the Year to Zuzana Smatanová. (source: ČTK)
AT THE ceremony for one of Slovakia’s main musical awards, the Sláviks (Nightingales) 2008, on November 29, there were no surprises when the winners in the three main categories were announced. The award for Best Male Singer of 2008, based on the number of votes he received from fans, went to last year’s winner, Peter Cmorik. He was presented with his award by the actress Zuzana Fialová, the SITA newswire wrote.
“I did not expect it,” Cmorik said. “I was one hundred percent sure that Kuli would win. It was a very nice surprise, maybe a little over-shadowed by personal events. It was one of the most difficult performances for me. Do love your family,” said the singer, whose father died recently, as he accepted the award.
In second place was Kuli, singer for the group Desmod; third place went to Miroslav “Meky” Žbirka, who won the first Zlatý Slávik (Golden Nightingale) ever in 1982.
The winner of the category Female Singer of the Year was announced by iconic keyboardist Marián Varga. For the fourth consecutive year, the Slávik went to Zuzana Smatanová.
“I was very surprised, as I expect this award less and less each year,” Smatanová commented for SITA. “It is hard to get the first Slávik, and even harder to defend it. For me, this is an honour and a humbling experience.”
The silver Slávik award went to Katka Knechtová, who sang the title song of the movie Bathory (2008), Môj Bože (Oh, My God). The tune was nominated in the category Hit of the Year. The bronze went to Zdenka Predná.
The Group of the Year category was won again by Nitra band Desmod, followed by Elán. No Name received the bronze award.
A Slávik was also awarded to the group Metropolis for “biggest rise in popularity this year”; Adam Ďurica became Discovery of the Year, and the Rádioslávik award went to the Prešov group IMT Smile with the song Mám krásny sen (I Have a Wonderful Dream). After SMS voting, the Hit of the Year 2008 was given to a song by Desmod: Lavíny (Avalanches), which is the theme for one of Slovakia’s most popular TV series.
