On Sunday night, Turner Hall Ballroom played host to the 37th annual Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI) Awards, and hundreds of local artists from throughout the state filled the room. Over 40 awards were given out throughout the night, and the show also featured performances from Scott E. Berendt and the Us Project, Bella Cain, NO/NO, Green Screen Kid, The Pukes, and the Prince Experience. There was also a stellar tribute to the late Al Jarreau and former James Brown drummer Clyde Stubblefield (both had a great influence on Wisconsin music), as well as a performance from the This Time Tomorrow All Star Band, a creation of the This Time Tomorrow Foundation. The show also included WAMI Hall of Fame inductions for Eric Benet, Bryan Lee, and Milwaukee blues pioneers Short Stuff.
Milwaukee musicians took top honors, as Vinyl Theatre won Artist of the Year, Dead Horses’ “Cartoon Moon” took the WAMI for Album of the Year, and Devil Met Contention’s “Fire took home Song of the Year. IshDARR, GGOOLLDD, Brett Newski, The Pukes, and Devil Met Contention were also among the notable WAMI recipients. You can view a full list of winners below:
2017 WAMI Award Winners
Artist of the Year – Vinyl Theatre Album of the Year – Dead Horses – “Cartoon Moon” Song of the Year – Devil Met Contention – “Fire” Female Vocalist of the Year – Sarah Vos Male Vocalist of the Year – Travis Schinke & Erik Kjelland (tie) New Artist of the Year – J-Council Singer/Songwriter of the Year – Brett Newski Rising Star of the Year – Eminence Alternative Rock / Rock Artist of the Year – Kyle Megna & The Monsoons Bluegrass / Americana Artist of the Year – Dead Horses Blues Artist of the Year – Big N Tasty Blues Christian Artist of the Year – Night Divine Country Artist of the Year – Driveway Thriftdwellers Cover Artist of the Year – Almighty Vinyl Club DJ / Dance / Electronic Artist of the Year – Melvv Folk / Celtic Artist of the Year – Sugar Ransom Hard Rock Artist of the Year – Imperial Fall Horn/Big Band Artist of the Year – Cold Sweat & The Brew City Horns Metal Artist of the Year – Conniption Punk Artist of the Year – The Pukes Jazz Artist of the Year – The Jazz Orgy Polka Artist of the Year – The Squeezettes Pop / Rock Artist of the Year – GGOOLLDD Hip Hop / Rap Artist of the Year – IshDARR R&B / Soul Artist of the Year – Tweed Funk World / Reggae / Ska / Latin Artist of the Year – King Solomon Tribute Band of the Year – The Prince Experience Bassist of the Year – Jeff Hammes Drummer of the Year – Mike Underwood Guitarist of the Year – Bill Heck Keyboardist of the Year – Aaron Zinsmeister Reeds / Brass Musician of the Year – Michelle Jerabek Strings Artist of the Year – Thea MortonVorass Best Studio Engineer / Producer – Geoff Wilbourn Best Recording Studio – Rock Garden Best Live Club / Venue – The Saloon on Calhoun Best Live Engineer Sound / Lights – Jeremy Boerson People’s Choice Band – Southwest – Pat Watters Band People’s Choice Band – Northwest – Spicy Tie Band People’s Choice Band – Southeast – The Playlist People’s Choice Band – Northeast – Hyde Southeast Teacher of the Year – Derek Machan Southeast Radio Station of the Year – 102.9 The Hog Southeast Music Venue of the Year – The Saloon on Calhoun Southeast Music Fan of the Year – Cindee May Northeast Teacher of the Year – Mark Budwit Northeast Radio Station of the Year – WAPL-FM 105.7 Northeast Music Venue of the Year – Rocky & Tara’s Nut Haus Northeast Music Fan of the Year – Chris & Anita Holloman Southwest Teacher of the Year – Kathy Wacker Southwest Radio Station of the Year – WCOW-FM 97.1 Southwest Music Venue of the Year – Fawn Creek Winery Southwest Music Fan of the Year – Mark Bruenig Northwest Teacher of the Year – Brad Burrell Northwest Radio Station of the Year – WIEC LP 102.7 FM Northwest Music Venue of the Year – Live on Main Northwest Music Fan of the Year – Penny Perot