http://onlineathens.com/stories/122906/news_20061229054.shtml
Let's be honest: R.E.M. could fit the bill as Artist Newsmaker of the
Year just about any year.
Since Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mike Mills and Michael Stipe came
together to form R.E.M. in March 1980, they've achieved international
success, traveled the world and put the sleepy Southern burg of Athens
on the map, drawing hundreds of musicians here to live and make music
over the years.
But this year seems especially fitting to name the band Artist of the
Year. They've just passed the 25-year mark and, while they were minding
their own business - taking a year off from touring and recording -
they were honored with an induction into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame
in September and were nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame (inductees will be announced Jan. 8).
