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For Immediate Release
June 2, 2008
As part of the Sweet Tea Jubilee’s “Band Together for Kids” initiative, the Charlotte Music Awards is coordinating a series of concerts leading up to the June 21 Sweet Tea Jubilee. Proceeds from each of the concerts will go to the Levine Children’s Hospital and Dilworth Charities.
The schedule of events is as follows:
- Friday, June 13: Latin Showcase at Morehead Tavern (300 E. Morehead St.) hosted by Tropical Culture, Charlotte’s newest Latin sensation
- Saturday, June 14: Urban Showcase at Tilt on Trade (127 W. Trade St.) hosted by Play Magazine, Charlotte’s leading urban magazine
- Thursday, June 19: Delta Drift at the Double Door Inn (1218 Charlottetowne Ave.)
- Friday, June 20: Miss Tess & the Bon Ton Parade at the Evening Muse (3227 N. Davidson St.)
The participating musical acts are among the most popular in the region. The performers and the venues have donated their time and space for these events.
The Sweet Tea Jubilee is a free, all-day music and arts festival hosted by the Dilworth Rotary Club to benefit the Levine Children’s Hospital and other local charities. It will take place on Saturday, June 21, 2008, from noon until 8 p.m. at Symphony Park at SouthPark Mall. Headlining the festival will be “An All-Star Show of Supreme Temptation,” which features Richard Street of the Temptations, the Sounds of the Supremes and Jr. Walker’s All Stars.
The Charlotte Music Awards showcases all aspects of original music in Charlotte and the Carolinas. The initiative supports local music and local artists. Showcases are hosted at different venues across a variety of genres, leading up to an annual Awards Ceremony, the first of which was held last September at Ovens Auditorium.
Sponsors of the Charlotte Music Awards include Morris-Jenkins, Amps 11, Carolina Promoter, the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, Consolidated Press, Debbies Delights, Flavor Fruit Entertainment, 4WARD Promotions, John St. Graphics, Leigh Rose Marketing, Media Evolved, Shoeshine Boy Design, Succession Records, UPS Stores, The Wadsworth House and WGWG.
For more information on the Charlotte Music Awards, e-mail info@charlottemusicawards.org. |
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For Immediate Release
May 19, 2008
In the Morris-Jenkins Charlotte Music Awards second Jam Band Showcase, The Mantras were the winning act. The Greensboro-based Mantras lived up to their reputation as one of the best jam bands in the region with a stirring set that wooed the audience at the Double Door Inn. Also participating in the May 15 showcase were Dead End Parking and members of Incognito Mosquito.
Will Bradford of Macromanagement says The Mantras are “able to send any listener in any direction in the musical universe at any moment. It is this unpredictability and spontaneity that will take any audience on a sonic joyride.”
The Charlotte Music Awards showcases all aspects of original music in Charlotte and the Carolinas. The initiative supports local music and local artists. Showcases are hosted at different venues across a variety of genres, leading up to an annual Awards Ceremony, the first of which was held last September at Ovens Auditorium.
Sponsors of the Charlotte Music Awards include Morris-Jenkins, Amps 11, Carolina Promoter, the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, Consolidated Press, Debbies Delights, Flavor Fruit Entertainment, 4WARD Promotions, John St. Graphics, Leigh Rose Marketing, Media Evolved, Shoeshine Boy Design, Succession Records, UPS Stores, The Wadsworth House and WGWG.
For more information on the Charlotte Music Awards, e-mail info@charlottemusicawards.org. |
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For Immediate Release
April 1, 2008
The Greater St. James Young Adult Choir took top honors at the Morris-Jenkins Charlotte Music Awards Gospel Showcase. Held on Sunday, March 30, at the New Christian Outreach Center, the showcase also featured performances by D.Jay, the New Mercies, Sheree Thomas, Pastor Annie R. Thomas and the Bright Stars and Nathan Jeter.
Opening the show was a special dance performance from Expressions of Art. The showcase was emceed by Pastor Brenda Stevenson of the New Christian Outreach Center.
As a special reward for winning the showcase, the Greater St. James Young Adult Choir will be on the bill of the June 21 Sweet Tea Jubilee at Symphony Park. The choir will appear before the headline act, the Motown Revue, which features the Sounds of the Supremes, the Temptations and Junior Walker and His Allstars.
The Charlotte Music Awards showcases all aspects of original music in Charlotte and the Carolinas. The initiative supports local music and local artists. Showcases are hosted at different venues across a variety of genres, leading up to an annual Awards Ceremony, the first of which was held last September at Ovens Auditorium.
Sponsors of the Charlotte Music Awards include Morris-Jenkins, Amps 11, Carolina Promoter, the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, Debbies Delights, Flavor Fruit Entertainment, 4WARD Promotions, John St. Graphics, Leigh Rose Marketing, Media Evolved, Pyramid Printing, Shoeshine Boy Design, Succession Records, Triangle Rent-A-Car, UPS Stores, The Wadsworth House and WGWG.
For more information on the Charlotte Music Awards, e-mail info@charlottemusicawards.org. |
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For Immediate Release
February 11, 2008
The Morris-Jenkins Charlotte Music Awards hosted the Women in Rock Showcase at the Milestone Club on Saturday, Feb. 9. Taking top honors at the showcase was Luna’s Lament, featuring guitarist Kim “KimNiption” Karnes. Also participating in the showcase were Lindy Dobbins and the Red Velvet Manx, Silent Weapons, the Vernaculars and the Lights, Fluorescent.
The performers in the Women in Rock Showcase were as follows:
- Luna’s Lament with its original material sets itself apart from others in the rock and metal genre. The band has culled its many influences—TOOL, Opeth, Sabbath, Pink Floyd, Alice in Chains, King Crimson and Mars Volta, to name a few—into a sound all its own.
- Lindy Dobbins was named the Readers Choice Best Local Songwriter of 2007 by Creative Loafing and was a finalist for Best Female Vocalist at the 2007 Charlotte Music Awards. Lindy, who will be performing with her band, the Red Velvet Manx, notes influences ranging from Sheryl Crow to Radiohead, but says that “she remains very much her own woman with original stylings.”
- Silent Weapons offer up an interesting mix of self-described shoegaze and psychedelic rock. It sounds like “tripped out reverb washed pawnshop guitars swirling over throbbing punk bass molesting a Dr. Groove drum machine with French-kissed vocals.”
- The Vernaculars hail from Catawba College in Salisbury, N.C. The ensemble performs an array of alternative and rock songs that represent the heartbeat of contemporary popular music, including original pieces from these student musicians.
- The Lights, Fluorescent is a Charlotte-based indie rock band. The band was formed by ex-members of instrumental powerhouse VIA and pop punkers Frontpage, along with the amazing Erika Blatnik. Weaving guitars, driving bass lines and powerful drumming supply a strong backdrop for Erika’s innovative vocal capabilities.
Each act played a 40-minute set as part of the showcase competition.
The Milestone Club, which is located at 3400 Tuckaseegee Rd., is Charlotte’s true underground music home. Owned and operated by musicians, the venue’s history, vibe and sound make it a destination like none other in the South for genres ranging from rock, punk and metal to acoustic, Americana and country.
Sponsoring the Charlotte Music Awards are Morris-Jenkins and P*U*R*E with additional support from Amps 11, Carolina Promoter, the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, Debbies Delights, Extravaganza Events, Flavor Fruit Entertainment, 4WARD Promotions, John St. Graphics, Leigh Rose Marketing, Lone Cone Toffee, Media Evolved, Pyramid Printing, Shoeshine Boy Design, Starbucks Coffee, Succession Records, The Wadsworth House, WGWG and WSGE.
For more information on the Charlotte Music Awards, e-mail info@charlottemusicawards.org. |
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For Immediate Release
January 25, 2008
The Morris-Jenkins Charlotte Music Awards hosted its first Blues Showcase at the Double Door Inn on Thursday, Jan. 24. With a mix of traditional blues and contemporary blues, the audience was treated to a variety of talented blues performances. Winning the showcase competition was the Contagious Blues Band. Also participating were Bayou Butch, Archie Huntley (aka Golden Eagle) and WSNB.
The Contagious Blues Band features a “multi-vocalist” approach, accompanied by two styles of guitar playing. The band seemingly takes you through the evolution of blues music during its set with the influence of traditional blues mixed with the new blues-rock sound. The band includes Joey Recchio (slide guitar, vocals), Hank Shell (lead guitar, vocals), Junior Howell (drums, vocals) and Jim Bolt III (bass, vocals). Their most recent CD release, Ride, was nominated for Best Self-Produced CD at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis.
The Charlotte Music Awards showcases all aspects of original music in Charlotte and the Carolinas. The initiative supports local music and local artists. Showcases are hosted at different venues across a variety of genres, leading up to an annual Awards Ceremony, the first of which was held in September at Ovens Auditorium.
The other performers at the Blues Showcase were as follows:
- Alfred “Bayou Butch” Lucas Jr. has a trademark sound inherited from old school blues, funk and R&B. He refined his innovative sound while on tour with Al Green, Aretha Franklin and a host of other blues legends. Bayou Butch’s multitalented style takes one back in time with the sounds from his “Old Blue” Fender guitar and grand piano.
- Archie Huntley, also known as Golden Eagle, was recently featured as a studio musician in the movie Shake, Rattle, and Roll with blues legend B.B. King. Huntley says he feels the blues and that his “music comes from years of living the blues and turning it into music that is drawn from the heart and the soul.”
- From the foothills of western North Carolina, WSNB breathes new life into old-style blues, sometimes with a rock ’n’ roll touch. The band’s distinctive lyrics and down-home style are straight from the soul. WSNB will “make your hips shake, your feet move and your big toe jump up in yo’ boot!”
Charlotte’s “Home of the Blues,” the Double Door is located at 1218 Charlottetowne Ave. (formerly 218 E. Independence Blvd.) across from CPCC. The venue, which recently celebrated its 34th anniversary, has been bringing regional and national acts to Charlotte since its inception.
Sponsoring the Morris-Jenkins Charlotte Music Awards are Morris-Jenkins and P*U*R*E with additional support from Amps 11, Carolina Promoter, the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, Extravaganza Events, Flavor Fruit Entertainment, 4WARD Promotions, John St. Graphics, Leigh Rose Marketing, Media Evolved, Pyramid Printing, Shoeshine Boy Design, Starbucks Coffee, Succession Records, The Wadsworth House, WGWG and WSGE.
For more information on the Morris-Jenkins Charlotte Music Awards, e-mail info@charlottemusicawards.org. |
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For Immediate Release
January 23, 2008
The Charlotte Music Awards has announced the addition of Morris-Jenkins as the title sponsor for the organization.
“Partnering with the Charlotte Music Awards is exciting,” says Dewey Jenkins, president of Morris-Jenkins. “What a fun way to do something beneficial for the community!”
The Charlotte Music Awards was begun in 2006 to showcase all aspects of music in Charlotte and the Carolinas. The initiative supports local music and local artists.
“Why shouldn’t Charlotte be addressed in the same musical breath as other music centers?” says Charlotte Music Awards co-founder Jeffrey Cheen. “We have the talent base. And the region has a rich musical tradition.”
Morris-Jenkins is a Charlotte-based heating and air-conditioning company that is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2008. “Call Morris-Jenkins and you’ll have warm heat at your house tonight…”—So says their slogan and so says their actions.
Winner of the Charlotte Chamber's Amazing Customer Service Award and the Ethics in Business Award, Morris-Jenkins set the Charlotte air-conditioning market on its ear when it began offering weekend service at no additional charge. Now Morris-Jenkins has joined another organization that is setting Charlotte on its ear, the Charlotte Music Awards.
“We are thrilled to have the Charlotte Music Awards partner with Morris-Jenkins to increase the exposure and recognition of our local musical talent,” says Charlotte Music Awards co-founder Michael D. Evans. “Their sponsorship will help us expand activities and opportunities to promote local musicians.”
The Charlotte Music Awards presents a regular Showcase Series that culminates in an annual Awards Ceremony with Southern regional stars, held in September. Look for Morris-Jenkins’ presence at all upcoming Charlotte Music Awards events.
For more information on the Charlotte Music Awards, e-mail info@charlottemusicawards.org or visit the organization’s Web site at www.charlottemusicawards.org. |
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For Immediate Release
December 31, 2007
The Charlotte Music Awards recently announced the addition of P*U*R*E*—Progressive Urban Real Estate as a sponsor. P*U*R*E* is Ann Welchans and Jodi Sosna. Licensed real estate brokers in North and South Carolina, Ann and Jodi are music, art and yoga lovers. Working as a team, their goal is to provide a more specialized, personal, and stress-reduced real estate experience.
Engaging a passion for music and the arts, P*U*R*E* is a proud sponsor of the NoDa Film Festival and, with a continued commitment of supporting the arts, is exhilarated to be partnering with the Charlotte Music Awards. |
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The Charlotte Music Awards’ Acoustic Holiday Showcase was won by Jared Allan. Held on Dec. 13 at the Wadsworth House, the showcase also featured Smith Tunes, Derrick Christopher, Julian Boucherle and Ron Gattis. Opening the show was a special performance by the Whippersnappers.
Jared Allen is a singer/songwriter who combines influences of folk, bluegrass, rock and R&B into an energetic flow. His entertaining live performance mixed music and humor to successfully engage the audience. His band, Jared Allan & Company, has just released a CD, Live.
Also appearing at the showcase were Julian Boucherle, a talented young guitarist; Derrick Christopher, an R&B-influenced singer/songwriter; Ron Gattis who is a former teen prodigy in opera and classical music; and Smith Tunes, which offers a soulful blend of urban blues.
The Whippersnappers, although not part of the competition, opened the show. Consisting of tweeners Emmy, Casey and Avery McGuirt and their father David, the band was recently featured at the premiere party for the TV program New South Crossings.
Carmine, a local entertainer, emceed the event. The judges for the showcase were songwriters Julia Dixon and Fran MacLeran, manager and producer Walter Stewart and producer Roger Cullis.
The Charlotte Music Awards promotes all music throughout the Carolinas. The showcases, which are hosted at different venues across a variety of genres, are intended to enhance the profile of the local music scene.
Supporters of the Charlotte Music Awards include Amps 11, Carolina Promoter, the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, Creative Loafing, Extravaganza Events, Flavor Fruit Entertainment, 4WARD Promotions, John St. Graphics, Leigh Rose Marketing, Media Evolved, Pyramid Printing, Shoeshine Boy Design, Starbucks Coffee, Succession Records, The Wadsworth House, WGWG and WSGE. |
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The Smokey Joe Show won the Charlotte Music Awards’ Country Showcase. The event, which also included the fine talents of David Cody, Greg Griffin and David Lambert and the Carolina Rails, was held on Nov. 29 at Puckett’s Farm Equipment in the Derita community of Charlotte.
Hailing from Burnsville, N.C., the Smokey Joe Show describes their music as “homegrown original music.” It might be best described as a little blues, a little country, a little bluegrass and a whole lot of mountain. The band is fronted by “Smokey Joe” Peoples and 15-year-old Chelsea Goodman. Tom Rogers adds some outstanding contributions on harmonicas. The audience seemed to particularly enjoy the song “Ooh Baby.” That song and others performed at the show are on the band’s new CD, Little Buildings.
The Charlotte Music Awards partnered with Kat Love of KMAC Music Promotions to put on the Country Showcase. Roger Cullis, a local TV producer and music producer, emceed the event. The judges for the showcase were Julia Dixon, Kelly Gray, Fran MacLeran and Ricky Traywick. Brandon Rosenthal served as the stage manager.
The Charlotte Music Awards promotes all aspects of music in Charlotte and the Carolinas. The showcases are one of the group’s activities for enhancing the profile of the music scene in the Carolinas. They are hosted at different venues across a variety of genres, leading up to an annual Awards Ceremony, the first of which was held in September at Ovens Auditorium.
Supporters of the Charlotte Music Awards include Amps 11, Carolina Promoter, the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, Consolidated Press, Creative Loafing, Digital Bliss, Extra Medium, Extravaganza Events, Flavor Fruit Entertainment, 4WARD Promotions, High Timberline Media, John St. Graphics, Leigh Rose Marketing, Media Evolved, Pyramid Printing, Shoeshine Boy Design, Starbucks Coffee, Succession Records, The Wadsworth House, WGWG and WSGE. |
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The Charlotte Music Awards would like to thank all who attended our Awards Ceremony on Sept. 6 at Ovens Auditorium. The event provided a unique opportunity to recognize and reward the best of our local musical talent. Congratulations to the winners and finalists. All are fine examples of the outstanding talent that exists in the Carolinas. Check out photographs of the event here
We would especially like to thank the following:
- Our many sponsors who helped make the event possible.
- Our presenters who took the time to participate in and support the Charlotte Music Awards.
- The many volunteers who assisted with various aspects of the event.
- The staff at Ovens Auditorium, who are true professionals and a joy to work with.
- The Joe Davis Band for supplying the PA system, and their sound coordinator, Mike "Crophone."
- Shane Eudy of the Joe Davis Band for letting all the acts in the show use his brand new monstrous Pearl drum kit.
- And, finally, all the folks who make music in the Carolinas.
Look for information on our upcoming Charlotte Music Awards showcases, and be sure to spread the word among musicians, friends, acquaintances and potential sponsors about the Charlotte Music Awards.
Support local original music! |
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Americana Showcase
Puckett’s Farm Equipment
July 28, 2007
What could be more Americana than Puckett’s Farm Equipment? Puckett’s is a Charlotte-based music venue that hosted the Charlotte Music Awards Americana Showcase on July 28. In an evening that featured a wealth of local talent, the Bill Noonan Band was selected by the judges as the winner of the showcase. Also participating were Low Willie, South 85 and Mama Said.
The Bill Noonan Band, with members hailing from the border towns of North and South Carolina (part of the area known as Catawba City), played an energetic set that culminated with one of the band’s signature rockers, “Melanie Melanie.” In a new twist for the showcases, Bill Noonan joined Low Willie after the competitive sets were completed for an audience-pleasing jam.
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The Bill Noonan Band |
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Ramblin’ Bill McDonald emceed the event, and the judges were deejays Rockin’ Dallas Kincaid and Ken Norton of WSGE, as well as Preston Toney of Complex Radio.
The Charlotte Music Awards is supported by Starbuck's Coffee, Amps 11, Carolina Promoter, Consolidated Press, Creative Loafing, Digital Bliss, Extra Medium, Extravaganza Events, Flavor Fruit Entertainment, 4WARD Promotions, John St. Graphics, Leigh Rose Marketing, Shoeshine Boy Design, The Wadsworth House, WGWG and WSGE. |
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Low Willie |
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South 85 |
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Mama Said |
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For Immediate Release
June 29, 2007
The Charlotte Music Awards today announced the winner of its inaugural Songwriting Contest. Laurel Ladson won with her song titled “True to the Game.” The theme of the contest was to submit a song that would be a fit for the world-renown Spinners for possible inclusion on their new album, which will be recorded in Metrolina and distributed on the Succession Records label.
Ladson, who is from Georgetown, S.C., says that “True to the Game” addresses a love borne of honesty and respect out of a love that was once lost but rediscovered. “Writing has become a tool,” says Ladson, “to express myself and release the negativity that the mind feeds off of from the hurt and pain brought to the heart.” She has learned to share those moments in poetry and music.
The Charlotte Music Awards showcases all aspects of music in Charlotte and the surrounding region. The initiative enhances the profile of the area’s music community and supports local music and local artists. The Charlotte Music Awards will host its inaugural Awards Ceremony on Sept. 6 at Ovens Auditorium. It also hosts a variety of showcases and events at venues throughout the Carolinas. The Charlotte Music Awards is affiliated with the L.A. Music Awards, which is the longest running major awards show for independent artists in the country.
The Spinners, one of the most popular R&B groups of the 1970s, are best known for a string of hits that included “I’ll Be Around,” “Could It Be I’m Fallin’ in Love,” “The Rubberband Man” and “Working My Way Back To You.”
In addition to the Spinners, Charlotte-based Succession Records currently handles the local award-winning alternative rock band In-V and former American Idol runner-up Lisa Leuschner.
The Charlotte Music Awards are supported by Carolina Promoter, the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, Consolidated Press, Creative Loafing, Digital Bliss, Extra Medium, Flavor Fruit Entertainment, 4Ward Promotions, Leigh Rose Marketing, Starbuck's Coffee, The Wadsworth House, WGWG and WSGE.
For more information on the Charlotte Music Awards, visit our Web site at www.charlottemusicawards.org or e-mail info@charlottemusicawards.org. |
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Gospel Showcase
Charleston House Restaurant
June 24, 2007
Shameia Wins First Gospel Showcase
The Charlotte Music Awards held its Gospel Showcase on Sunday, June 24, at the Charleston House Restaurant in Charlotte. In an evening of high-energy entertainment, the top honors went to Shameia, Shameia presented a well-crafted show that featured her dynamic vocals and a superior presentation. Fortunately, the evening’s entertainment was complete before the severe electrical storms came through town. |
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Gospel Showcase Winner Shameia |
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| Other participating acts were Mischeal Goldsmith & Soul Out, Lonisha Bryant and Kathy Duke. The audience responded warmly to each of the acts, and the overall level of talent was excellent. The judges no doubt had a difficult time making their decision. |
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Lonisha Bryant |
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Kathy Duke |
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Mischeal Goldsmith & Soul Out |
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Also at the event, Charlotte Music Awards co-founders Jeffrey Cheen and Michael D. Evans presented a showcase winner’s award to Steve Wallace, leader of the Steve Wallace Trio, which won the Jazz Showcase in April.
The Gospel Showcase was emceed by Cathis Hall, station manager at WSGE (91.7 FM: Your Eclectic Music Station), and Jerry Hopper, a gospel deejay at WSGE. The judges included two on-air personalities from WGIV (1370 AM: Rejoy Network)—Donna Jenkins Dawson and Tammy Johnson - and a local faith and community activist, Dwayne Collins.
The Charlotte Music Awards thanks the Charleston House Restaurant for hosting the Gospel Showcase. The Charleston House, which is located at 3128 The Plaza near NoDa, is well-known for its highly acclaimed “low country” cooking. Restaurateur Ron Goodwin prepared light hors d’oeuvres for this event.
In addition, the Charlotte Music Awards thanks Dr. Osco E. Gardin, Jr., who coordinated the talent for this showcase; Aaron Goodman of Extra Medium for handling the sound; and Brock Mumford, who serves as stage manager for all Charlotte Music Awards events. The event was photographed by Matt Mow.
The Charlotte Music Awards is supported by Starbuck's Coffee (which provided giveaways for the showcase), Carolina Promoter, Consolidated Press, Creative Loafing, Digital Bliss, Extravaganza Events, Flavor Fruit Entertainment, 4WARD Promotions, Leigh Rose Marketing, Shoeshine Boy Design, The Wadsworth House, WGWG and WSGE.
For more information about the Charlotte Music Awards and our showcases, visit www.charlottemusicawards.org or e-mail info@charlottemusicawards.org. |
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