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!

2010 OC MUSIC AWARDS SHOWCASE SERIES FINALS THIS WEEKEND

The Final Showcases for Best Live Acoustic and Best Live Band are here. Early arrival is strongly suggested on Friday, February 26 at Yost Theater for the Best Live Acoustic Finals and Saturday, February 27 at Samueli Theater, part of Orange County Performing Arts Center, for Best Live Band Finals.

If you have been attending the weekly Showcase Series you have experienced the capacity crowds and amazing performances that invaded a new OC venue each Tuesday night for the last seven weeks. The Showcase Series included 35 artists, now narrowed down to the five Finalists for Best Live Acoustic and Best Live Band. The lineups on both Final’s nights feature local artists at the top of their game and will be two nights of music you do not want to miss.

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OC MUSIC AWARDS LISTENING WALL IN LAGUNA ART MUSEUM’S OSCENE EXHIBIT IS A HIT

Laguna Art Museum’s OsCene 2010 exhibit opened on February 21. OC Music Awards curated the music portion of the exhibition which showcases the latest art and culture of Orange County. An OC Music Awards wall was installed in the museum with 11 iPod Nano listening stations representing 22 Awards categories with a song from each nominated artist.

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BEST BUY JOINS OC MUSIC AWARDS AS A PARTNER

OC Music Awards is pleased to welcome Best Buy as a new sponsor of the 2010 Awards event. Best Buy will have presence at the Best Live Acoustic and Best Live Band Final Showcases and the Awards night on March 6 at Grove of Anaheim in support of their Musical Instrument Stores. Four of the nine Orange County Best Buy locations and 18 Southern California Best Buys are outfitted with their well-stocked Musical Instrument Stores. Best Buy also offers a program enabling local artists to distribute their music in local Best Buy stores with the potential to expand store distribution based on favorable sales.

(ORANGE COUNTY, CA) - The seventh Showcase of the 2010 Series packed out the Gypsy Lounge in Lake Forest last night. Powerful and diverse performances by Entice, The New Limb, Dusty Rhodes and the River Band, Stereofix, and The Color Turning raised the Best Live Band competition stakes that much more. The night marked the last of the preliminary Showcases and the Series now moves onto the Best Live Acoustic and Best Live Band Showcase Finals.

We are pleased to announce the five finalists in both Best Live Acoustic and Best Live Band Showcase categories. These ten bands will move on to the Showcase Finals where the category winners will be announced on stage at the end of each night. The winner of each category will gain category title recognition, perform at the Awards on March 6 at Grove of Anaheim, receive a $2,500 voucher from Fender®*, and a four-day recording session at Red Bull Studios**.

Presenting the 2010 OC Music Awards Showcase Finalists (listed in order of Final Showcase performances):

Best Live Acoustic
I Hate You Just Kidding
Billy Kernkamp
Stacy Clark
Marc B
Mike Vitale

Best Live Band
Blok
The Steelwells
The Colourist
Dusty Rhodes and the River Band
The Union Line

See you at the show!

Rain or shine, north or south Orange County, the OC Music Awards 2010 Showcases prevail. The sixth of the seven-part Showcase series migrated to south Orange County last night. Despite the difficult weather five participants in the Best Live Acoustic category filled the OC Tavern in San Clemente with fans, energy and outstanding performances.

The venue’s live music room was bustling right at 8pm for the first solo acoustic performance by Skee. Carly Layne and her acoustic quartet followed. Next Parker Macy Blues performed solo followed by Christina Dietz also as a solo outfit. Jamie Allensworth and his soulful acoustic quintet closed out the show. The third and last acoustic Showcase proved a strong addition to the category’s competition.

Next Tuesday, February 16 presents the final showcase of the Best Live Band category and 2010 Showcase series. Performances by Duress, The New Limb, Dusty Rhodes and the River Band, Stereofix, and The Color Turning visit The Gypsy Lounge in Lake Forest. The five finalists from both Best Live Acoustic and Best Live Band categories will be announced February 17.

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(ORANGE COUNTY, CA) – Just over 450 music lovers of all ages danced their way into Chain Reaction last night for the fifth installation of the OC Music Awards Showcases and third in the Best Live Band category. Moostache opened the night with Elizabeth Messick of Best Live Acoustic hopeful, Matt Kollar and the Angry Mob joining the Wardell brothers on the last song. Halos delivered a heartfelt performance to an enthusiastic group of devoted fans. Next The Colourist took to the stage with shout outs to female drummer, Maya Tuttle booming from the crowd consistently throughout the set. The Bolts rocked the house and the fourth slot of the show. The event culminated with the second family affair of the night as sibling trio Blok ignited a ghetto tech dance craze that brought the hype and the house down. The fifth showcase proved another power-packed example of the some of the best live bands in Orange County.

The sixth Showcase heads down south to San Clemente’s OC Tavern next Tuesday, February 9 with Best Live Acoustic performances by Skee, Carly Layne, Parker Macy Blues, Christina Dietz, and Allensworth. Doors open at 7:30pm. The first performance kicks off at 8pm with the event wrapping up at 11:30pm. OC Tavern is a 21 and over venue.

Only two Showcases left until the Final nominees in both Best Live Band and Best Live Acoustic categories are determined! The complete Showcase schedule follows.

See you at the show!

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(ORANGE COUNTY, CA) – On a damp and chilly night, five acoustic performances warmed the artist village and filled the Gypsy Den in Downtown Santa Ana. The intimate setting swelled with around 225 attendees enjoying eats, libations and the songs and sonnets of the inviting acoustic sets. The second Best Live Acoustic Showcase marked the fourth and halfway point of the Showcase Series.

Will Morrison under moniker The Vacuum Bell opened the evening with a heartfelt solo acoustic performance. Kurt Hunter followed with an upbeat acoustic trio of guitar, bass and violin. Marc B added percussion to the mix with a guitar, bass and cajon trio. Next Mike Vitale took the stage as a solo singer songwriter outfit. I Hate You Just Kidding closed the show with guitar, ukelele and light anecdotes that left the crowd smiling. The show proved an amazing display of the best in local live acoustic performances.

The fifth Showcase invades Chain Reaction in Anaheim next Tuesday, February 2 with Best Live Band performances by Moostache, Halos, The Colourist, The Bolts, and Blok. The event starts early at 7pm with performances beginning at 7:30pm. Chain Reaction welcomes music lovers of all ages.

The complete Showcase schedule follows! See you at the show!

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(ORANGE COUNTY, CA) – At the highest attended OC Music Awards Showcase to date, 682 people came through the classic Continental Room in Fullerton that usually hosts 150 or so on a good Tuesday night. By 8:30 pm the venue was bustling. Barely an hour later a line was stretched down the block. Thankfully the rain took a break and local music prevailed.

Five Best Live Band hopefuls filled the intimate stage with Handsome G’s reminiscent pop rock ballades opening the performances. We Are the Pilots followed with an impressive first show in a new band configuration. Next came Pawn Shop Kings with a pleasing full band versus their typical duo acoustic outfit. The Steelwells wowed the crowd with an anticipated strong set and Argyle Smile closed out the Showcase with a whimsically playful performance. Then surprise guest artist, Brandon Saller, drummer of OC metal icon Atreyu, graced the stage with his new solo acoustic set. As the Showcase Series continues to grow and build momentum towards the 3/6 Awards event, night number three proved nothing short of spectacular.

The fourth showcase visits Gypsy Den in downtown Santa Ana next Tuesday, January 26 for Best Live Acoustic solo performances by The Vacuum Bell, Kurt Hunter, Marc B, and Mike Vitale, and duo I Hate You Just Kidding. The event starts at 7pm. Performances begin at 7:15pm sharp. Gypsy Den is an all ages, intimate venue. Early arrival is suggested!

See you at the show!

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(ORANGE COUNTY, CA) – The second night of the 2010 OC Music Awards Showcase Series filled the outdoor promenade of The District at Tustin Legacy retail center last night. Hundreds of music lovers, bands, fans, and friends gathered under the stars to hear five amazing acoustic artists compete for the title of 2010 OC Music Awards Best Live Acoustic.

Matt Kollar and the Angry Mob kicked off the evening with a diverse acoustic ensemble featuring six vocalists, dancers, an accordion, uke, children’s toys and Sean Wardell from local band Moostache guesting on mandolin. (See Moostache compete for the Best Live Band title at Chain Reaction 2/2). Barrett Johnson’s five-piece performed second followed by Billy Kernkamp’s sextet, both bands utilizing the genius that is Dallas Kruse on Hammond organ. Stacy Clark’s poetic melodies and serene vocals followed fourth in the show. Canvas, formerly named Streetlight Affair, closed out the evening with an upbeat performance that embodied the exciting vibe of the night.

Additional perks of the evening included delicious complimentary appetizers courtesy of the District’s Chaparosa Grill, Redbull’s free flowing beverage bar, and classic grooves spun between bands by local favorite DJ Oldboy.

The third showcase of the series hits Continental Room next Tuesday, January 19 for Best Live Band performances by Handsome G, We Are the Pilots, Pawn Shop Kings, The Steelwells and Argyle Smile. The show starts at 7:30pm and is free to the public. The Continental Room is a 21 and over intimate venue. Early arrival is strongly suggested to guarantee entrance.

See you next Tuesday!

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