Acoustic Holiday Showcase
Wadsworth House
December 13, 2007
Talented Acoustic Showcase Won by Jared Allan
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.
Country Showcase
Puckett’s Farm Equipment
November 29, 2007
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.
Jam Band Showcase
Double Door Inn
October 25, 2007
Stumble Wins Jam Band Showcase at Double Door
Stumble captures Jam Band Showcase title Photo by Chris Hight
Stumble was the winning act at the Charlotte Music Awards’ Jam Band Showcase, which was held on Oct. 25 at the Double Door Inn. Also participating in the showcase were Near Gravity, Heavy Rotation and Matone. This event was co-hosted by the Carolina Live Music Society.
“I am really excited with the talent we saw tonight,” says Jeff Cheen, co-founder of the Charlotte Music Awards. “We saw a lot of variation in jam band styles, and the crowd seemed enthusiastic about each of the participants.”
Members of Stumble describe the band as “probably more of a rock-edged band compared with a typical jam band. We like to do experimental stuff but definitely probably jam rock.” Stumble consists of Bo Walker on guitar and vocals, Curt Mattes on bass and vocals, Jon Hatch on guitar and Justin Babcock on drums. The Charlotte-based band plays throughout the Piedmont and western Carolinas. Although Stumble does not yet have a CD, some tunes are available on the band’s Web site.
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, Matt Mow Photography, Media Evolved, Shoeshine Boy Design, Starbuck’s Coffee, Succession Records, The Wadsworth House, WGWG and WSGE.
Americana Showcase
Puckett’s Farm Equipment
July 28, 2007
Bill Noonan Band Takes Honors at the Americana Showcase
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.
The Bill Noonan Band
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.
Low Willie
South 85
Mama Said
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.
Gospel Showcase Winner Shameia
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.
Lonisha Bryant
Kathy Duke
Mischeal Goldsmith & Soul Out
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.
Durham Hip Hop & R&B Talent Showcase
Hayti Heritage Center (Durham)
April 14, 2007
Lil’ MaQ and M-16 Take Honors in First Durham Showcase
R&B Talent Winner Lil’ MaQ
Hip Hop Winner M16
The Charlotte Music Awards and Flavor Fruit Entertainment presented the Durham Hip Hop and R&B Talent Showcase on Saturday, April 14, at the Hayti Heritage Center in Durham, N.C. Despite a last-minute venue change to accommodate the ever-expanding audience, the event showcased 16 acts evenly split between hip hop and R&B. Taking honors in the hip hop category was M-16, whereas Lil' MaQ won the R&B category. Both of the winning artists are from Durham.
Other participating hip hop artists were Night Train, Lo-Cal featuring Saundrea (Wilmington), Stay Stackin' Paper (SSP; Chapel Hill), AMA-MAN, E-Pilz, Rivera and Section 8. The other R&B artists were Sanaa Sharieff, Dreahj, Ms. Vondaleer, Falicia, AM, Mr. Coley and T.R.U.T.H. All the artists are from Durham except as noted otherwise.
The Hayti Heritage Center, which is a remodeled church, proved to be an excellent venue for the concert.
The showcase featured an all-star cast of judges including Donna-maria Harris, marketing director for the MyRDC and CW22 TV stations; Mike Nice of the Butta Team DJ crew; DJ Chuck T; Black Jeruz, a platinum-winning hip hop artist; Christopher "Play" Martin of the rap and acting duo Kid 'n Play; Big Tru, news and public affairs director for WQOK K87.5; and Young Knuckles, a deejay on WQOK K97.5.
The Charlotte Music Awards thanks Flavor Fruit Entertainment for their superb effort in preparing for and coordinating the Durham showcase. Their core team of Harold Simmons, Antwoine McClendon, Ronald "Skaz" King, Monica Murphy and Percy Rogers deserve special thanks for their hard work in putting this event together and for their aggressive support of independent artists in the Triangle area.
Jazz Showcase
The Grape at Northlake Mall
April 7, 2007
Jazz Showcase at The Grape a Big Success
Jazz Showcase Winner Steve Wallace (of the Steve Wallace Trio)
Bill Averbach
John Kester
A lot of pre-event energy resulted in an excellent turnout for the Charlotte Music Awards Jazz Showcase, which occurred on April 7 at The Grape at Northlake Mall. The crowd was rewarded with the piano jazz of John Kester, the trumpet and gravelly vocals of Bill Averbach (reminiscent of the jazz greats from the 1920s and 1930s) and the inspirational music of the event winners, the Steve Wallace Trio(aka Ministry of a Modern Psalmist).
Starbucks Coffee provided door prizes for the event, along with Cullis Guitars. In addition, the new Charlotte Music Awards t-shirt was introduced. Francene Morris emceed the Jazz Showcase, and special recognition is due to Chris Smith at The Grape for hosting the event, Roger Cullis for handling the sound, Brock Mumford for serving as stage manager and Leigh Rose for promotions. Photographing the event was Danielle Schoolmeesters.
Click here to see all the photos from the event.
Alternative/Hard Rock Showcase
Milestone Club
January 20, 2007
The Joe Davis Band Takes Honors at January Showcase
The Joe Davis Band
TradeskiN
in-V
Via
The world-renown Milestone Club was host to the Charlotte Music Awards’ January Showcase. The event featured four acts offering a diverse range of alternative/hard rock styles. All of the acts were well received by the audience as well. Again, the wealth of talent made the selection of a winner difficult. The Joe Davis Band was named the winner of the event. The other participating acts were TradeskiN,in-V and Via.
Special recognition is due to the Milestone Club for hosting the event and to Milestone manager Neal Harper for being most accommodating, Starbucks Coffee and Cullis Guitar for giveaways, Brock Mumford for serving as stage manager and Leigh Rose for promotions. Photographing the event was Ron Deshaies, and the photos for the event can be viewed at Treasured Events.
Archive
Acoustic Showcase
Wadsworth House
December 7, 2006
Mike Garrigan & Mark Kano Win Holiday Showcase
The Charlotte Music Awards’ headquarters, the Wadsworth House, was the venue for the Holiday Showcase. The event featured four acts: Travis Steele Nevels, an acoustic singer-songwriter with an innovative guitar playing style; Mike Garrigan & Mark Kano, an acoustic rock duo; Erika Blatnik, an energetic folk singer; and The Merrows, a Celtic band.
Given the evening of outstanding talent, the judges had a difficult decision but ultimately selected Mike Garrigan & Mark Kano as the Holiday Showcase winner.
The award as the winner of the earlier Urban Showcase was presented to Dem Damn Twins & Mark Twain at the event as well. In a celebrity sighting, Art Nash, drummer for Mason Proffit, a pioneer in the country-rock genre, was also present.
Francene Morris emceed the Holiday Showcase, and special recognition is due to the Wadsworth House for hosting the event, Starbucks Coffee for providing complimentary coffee and hot chocolate, Bill Noonan for handling the sound, Brock Mumford for serving as stage manager and Leigh Rose for promotions.
Travis Nevels Steele
Erika Blatnik
The Merrows
Urban Showcase
Fire & Ice
November 3, 2006
Fire & Ice Hosts Successful Urban Showcase
Fire & Ice was packed for the Charlotte Music Awards Urban Showcase. The showcase featured 12 acts and choosing a winner from the many talented performers proved difficult. Dem Damn Twins & Mark Twain from Columbia, S.C., took top honors at the showcase.
Singer/Songwriter Showcase
Evening Muse
October 10, 2006
Inaugural Showcase Held at the Evening Muse
Trip Rogers, performing with percussionist Jeff Chester, was the winner of the Charlotte Music Awards’ Inaugural Showcase, which was held on Oct. 10 at the Evening Muse.
The audience was treated to a showcase of excellent entertainment from Sabra Callas, Bill Noonan and Jackie Moseley as well as Trip. Please check out the music of each at their respective Web sites.
Dennis “Cuz” Frost of WGWG emceed the event, which kicked off the series of showcases leading up to the Awards Ceremony in September 2007.
