Last week, we discussed whether or not the Wisconsin Area Music Industry awards (or WAMIs, if you’re nasty) were still relevant, whether or not they were ever relevant, and, more importantly, whether or not they were worth making fun of anymore. We didn’t come up with a satisfying answer (do we ever?), but we did manage to inspire a lively debate and make a few jokes about Fond du Lac along the way. We’ll go ahead and call it a success.
Anyway, the 2014 WAMI awards were held last night in Appleton, and here are the winners, via the Journal Sentinel. PHOX won a bunch of stuff (as prophesied), as did Volcano Choir and that one song Vic And Gab always play during their noon, 3:30 p.m., and 7:45 p.m. shows.
Artist of the year: PHOX
Album of the year: “Repave,” Volcano Choir
Song of the year: “Let You Down,” Vic And Gab
Female vocalist: Lyndsay Evans (Sexy Ester)
Male vocalist: Cory Chisel (Cory Chisel And The Wandering Sons)
New artist: Joe Neary Band
Singer/songwriter: Nora Collins
Rising Star: Bad Habitz
Alternative rock/rock artist: PHOX
Pop rock artist: Vic And Gab
Folk/Celtic artist: Blessed Feathers
Bluegrass/Americana artist: Hugh Bob And The Hustle
Blues artist: Altered Five
Christian/gospel artist: Lightswitch
Country artist: Grand Union
Cover artist: Half Empty
Hard rock/metal artist: Conniption
Hip-hop/rap artist: Pizzle
R&B/soul artist: The People Brothers Band
World/reggae/ska/Latin artist: Unity The Band
Jazz Artist: Nineteen Thirteen
Polka Artist: Steve Meisner
Club DJ/Dance/electronic artist: Antics
Horn/big band: Extra Crispy Brass Band
Tribute band: Separate Ways
Bass player: Conway Powell (Carlos Adames Group, John Frye Band, Tomcat Joe)
Drummer: Andrew Klaus (Shaker And The Egg)
Guitarist: Dean Arndt (Metal Men)
Keyboard player: Danny Moore (Rev Raven & The Chain Smoking Altar Boys, Danny Moore & The Boogie Woogie Flu)
Reeds/brass player: Kevin Klemme (trumpet — Extra Crispy Brass Band, Herman Astro, Tweed Funk)
Strings player: Janet Schiff (cello — Nineteen Thirteen)
Producer: Marc Golde (Rock Garden Studio)
Recording studio: Rock Garden Studio
People’s Choice Awards (Northeast): band — Adams Way; venue — JJ Maloney’s; radio station — WAPL-FM (105.7); music teacher — Mark Budwit
People’s Choice Awards (Southeast): band — Georgia Overdrive; venue — Summer Sounds (Cedarburg); radio station — WYMS-FM (88.9); music teacher — Derek Machan
People’s Choice Awards (Southwest): band — The Pat Watters Band; venue — Taste of Madison; radio station — WCOW-FM (97.1); music teacher — combined with Southeast because of low voting totals
WAMI Hall of Fame inductees: Woody Herman, Janet Planet, Warren Wiegratz