The 37th annual Wisconsin Area Music Industry Awards (aka “WAMIs”) took over Milwaukee’s Turner Hall Ballroom Sunday night, and what a night it was. Those in attendance were treated to performances by The Pukes, NO/NO, The Prince Experience, and more. Vinyl Theatre, Dead Horses, Devil Met Contention, and, um, Rocky & Tara’s Nut Haus won big at the big ceremony. R&B singer Eric Benét, ’70s and ’80s blues band Short Stuff, and guitarist/singer Bryan Lee were inducted into the WAMI Hall of Fame. Oh, and Cherry Pie totally got robbed in the Cover Artist category.
Here’s the full list of winners:
Artist of the Year: Vinyl Theatre
Album of the Year: Dead Horses, Cartoon Moon
Song of the Year: Devil Met Contention, “Fire”
New Artist: J-Council
Female Vocalist: Sarah Vos
Male Vocalist: Travis Schinke, Erik Kjelland
Singer/Songwriter: Brett Newski
Rising Star: Eminence
Alternative Rock/Rock Artist: Kyle Megna & The Monsoons
Bluegrass/Americana: Dead Horses
Blues Artist: Big N’ Tasty Blues
Christian/Gospel: Night Divine
Country Artist: Driveway Thriftdwellers
Cover Artist: Almighty Vinyl
Folk/Celtic: Sugar Ransom
Hard Rock: Imperial Fall
Metal: Conniption
Punk: The Pukes
Jazz Artist: The Jazz Orgy
Polka: The Squeezettes
Pop Rock Artist: GGOOLLDD
Hip Hop/Rap Artist: IshDARR
R&B/Soul Artist: Tweed Funk
World/Reggae/Ska/Latin: King Solomon
Club DJ/Dance/Electronic: Melvv
Horn/Big Band: Cold Sweat & The Brew City Horns
Tribute: The Prince Experience
Bass Player: Jeff Hammes
Drummer: Mike Underwood
Guitar Player: Bill Heck
Keyboard Player: Aaron Zinsmeister
Reeds/Brass Player: Michelle Jerabek
Strings Player: Thea Morton Voraass
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
President’s Award: Marc Solheim
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS
(Northeast)
Band: Hyde
Fan: Chris & Anita Holloman
Venue: Rocky & Tara’s Nut Haus
Radio Station: WAPL 105.7
Music Teacher: Mark Budwit
(Northwest)
Band: Spicy Tie Band
Fan: Penny Perot
Venue: Live On Main
Radio Station: WIEC-LP 102.7
Music Teacher: Brad Burrell
(Southeast)
Band: The Playlist
Fan: Cindee May
Venue: The Saloon On Calhoun
Radio Station: 102.9 The Hog
Music Teacher: Derek Machan
(Southwest)
Band: Pat Watters Band
Fan: Mark Breunig
Venue: Fawn Creek Winery
Radio Station: 97.1 WCOW
Music Teacher: Kathy Wacker