NEWS

Saturday, March 6 the Grove of Anaheim welcomed back the ninth annual OC Music Awards, the only all local annual music event in the county that brings together over 100 local bands and the entire OC music scene for one night of honors and performances.

The air was thick with anticipation and celebration immediately as the venue doors opened at 7pm. Nominees, fans and attendees all took a walk down the red carpet despite the occasional drizzle of rain. Inside the venue lobby the OC Music Awards’ 2010 partners were providing a variety of interactive musical entertainment. Fender set up a plush lounge with select guitars displayed for all to pick up and play. Best Buy erected a living room setting equipped with full backline for attendees to jam on. Once inside the theater, the full jam began.

The show kicked off with Awards host, Psycho Mike of KROQ introducing the evening followed by a melodic first performance by Best Album and Rock nominee Melanoid. Radio personality, Surf Junkie Jeff introduced the first Award of Best Surf to The Growlers. Josh Glazer, Editor in Chief of URB Magazine presented Best Electronic to Huntington Beach based Electric Valentine. The Adolescents, unfortunately unable to attend, won Best Punk presented by Eric Blair of The Blairing Out Show. A high-energy performance by Best Latin nominee Soul Hustlers followed. KSBR OC Rock Radio presented Best Jazz to Translucent Ham Sandwich band. Yellow Red Sparks gained title of Best Folk presented by Mike Concepcion, Talent Buyer of Gypsy Lounge. OC Weekly Music Editor, Wade Tatangelo introduced the Best Live Acoustic showcase series winner Billy Kernkamp who took the stage for an enigmatic performance. DeeJay Cocoe of Ubiquity Records presented Best Hip Hop to BLOK who delivered a stand out performance later in the evening. House of Blues Anaheim presented Best Blues to Roman Alexander and the Robbery. Mr. Dave Mau of Dinner with Dave handed Dusty Rhodes and The River Band the first of multiple wins for Best Country/Americana. The group later won Best Rock and performed. Long time talent buyer Ken Phebus delivered a comedic and heartfelt honor to Jim Washburn for his lifetime of achievement in the music industry as acclaimed critic and historian. The Steelwells performed as an eleven piece and later celebrated wins for Best Song and Best New Artist, which resulted in a subsequent complimentary music video produced by Awards video production company, Akorn Entertainment. The band was also nominated in Best Indie, but The New Limb claimed the title presented by indie filmmaker Drake Doremus. Showcase Judge Joyce Mealy of Fearless Records presented Stereofix with Best Alternative.

Club DJ went to Chris Alfaro of Free the Robots presented by Acropolis RPM. Ben Wener and Kelli Fadroski of Orange County Register presented Best Pop to Stacy Clark who just last week signed to Vanguard Records. Danny Mihai, Promoter for Continental Room awarded Atreyu with the well-deserved Best Metal title. Three-time Grammy winner Louie Perez of Los Lobos presented Boogaloo Assassins the award for Best Latin. Jon Reiser of Detroit Bar presented the Best World title to The Dirty Heads who delivered the evening’s final performance joined by Rome of Sublime with Rome for their current KROQ hit “Lay Me Down”. Lit performed a touching acoustic commemorative piece written for their dear friend and drummer that past in 2009, Allen Shellenberger. Tazy Phyllipz announced Durress as the People’s Choice, proving their second consecutive year category win. David McKenna, screenwriter and producer credited for American History X and Blow introduced the honor of Orange County Impact Award to high school friends Sugar Ray. Kevin Lyman, Creator of Warped Tour, Taste of Chaos and Mayhem tours presented the final Award of 2010 for Best Album to Thrice, Ed and Riley Breckenridge taking the stage to accept. Psycho Mike thanked the crowd, closed the show, and ushered the celebration into the Grove’s Terra Rosa Room where DJ Velvet Touch spun the night away.

Another year of OC Music Awards has come and gone. But the Awards will continue to provide opportunities and exposure for local music throughout the year until the 2011 Showcase Series launches in January.

For the complete list of 2010 winners visit OC Music Awards online. Stay in touch by becoming a Fan, Friend, Follower, and Subscriber. Congratulations to the 2010 OC Music Awards participants, nominees and winners!