The 36th annual Wisconsin Area Music Industry Awards (or WAMIs, if you’re nasty) took over Appleton’s Performing Arts Center Sunday night, and what a night it was. WebsterX, IshDARR, Midnight Reruns, Kiings, and Boogie & The Yo-yo’z won big at the big ceremony. Dave Steffen, Lyle Mays, and Pee Wee King were inducted into the WAMI Hall of Fame, and Styx was inducted into the Global “Honorary” Hall of Fame for some reason. Oh, and recent bobblehead recipient Roosevelt “Freeway” McCarter took home a People’s Choice award for “Best Fan” in the Southeast category, because why not. Weird.
Here’s the full list of winners:
Artist of the Year: WebsterX
Album of the Year: Midnight Reruns, Force Of Nurture
Song of the Year: Kiings (feat. Rae Cassidy), “Feel”
Female Vocalist: Amileigha Blue
Male Vocalist: Rich Hoffman
New Artist: IshDARR
Singer/Songwriter: Jason Moon
Rising Star: Jonah Roth
Alternative Rock/Rock Artist: The Lately
Bluegrass/Americana: The Ditchrunners
Blues Artist: The Blues Disciples
Christian/Gospel: Koine
Country Artist: Rebel Grace
Cover Artist: Boogie & The Yo-yo’z
Folk/Celtic: Whiskey Of The Damned
Hard Rock/Metal: Red Light Saints, Evoked
Jazz Artist: Roxi Copland
Polka: Rhythm Playboys
Pop Rock Artist: Vinyl Theatre
Hip Hop/Rap Artist: WebsterX
R&B/Soul Artist: Shonn Hinton & Shotgun
World/Reggae/Ska: Max & The Invaders
Club DJ/Dance/Electronic: Kiings
Horn/Big Band: The Jimmys
Tribute Band: Metal Men
Bass Player: Timm Buechler
Drummer: Mark Marsh
Guitar Player: Brad Warning
Keyboard Player: Jamie Lynn Fletcher
Reeds/Brass Player: Stephen Cooper
Strings Player: Stephanie Tschech
Studio of the Year: Makin’ Sausage Music
Studio Engineer of the Year: Sam Farrell
Live Engineer Sound/Lights: Mike Freeland
Live Club/Venue: Headliner’s Bar and Grill
President’s Award: Len Nelson (105.7 WAPL)
People’s Choice Awards
(Northeast)
Artist: Hyde
Fan: Kim Fleischman
Venue: Mill Creek
Radio Station: WIXX 101.1
Music Teacher: Jason Busse
(Northwest)
Artist: Spicy Tie Band
Venue: Live On Main
Radio Station: WDEZ 101.9
Music Teacher: Charlene Kennebeck
(Southeast)
Artist: Cowboy Up
Fan: Roosevelt McCarter
Venue: The Metal Grill
Radio Station: 88.9 Radio Milwaukee
Music Teacher: Derek Machan
(Southwest)
Artist: That Pat Watters Band
Fan: Christy Harvey
Venue: Vinnie’s Rock Bottom
Radio Station: 96.3 Star Country
Music Teacher: Kathy Wacker