40th Annual WAMI Awards
Congratulations to all of the 40th WAMI Nominees, Winners, Wall of Honor, and Hall of Fame Inductees!
WAMI is the acronym for the Wisconsin Area Music Industry and for 40 years this has been the best way to recognize the best of the best. In order to be nominated, the band/musician must be a WAMI member. WAMI also provides support, scholarships, and workshops to benefit WAMI musicians and bands. The annual membership is $100.00 per band or $30.00 per individual. You can learn more about the organization by checking out their website: https://www.wamimusicwi.com/
The 2020 and 2021 WAMI Nominees are the same because the 40th anniversary of the WAMIs would have been in 2020, had we not had the shutdown due to the pandemic. The 40th Annual WAMI awards were held on 10/17/21 at Milwaukee’s Turner Hall. Turner Hall is a National Landmark and part of the Pabst Theater Group. Ticket prices were $45.00 @ for VIP table seating, $25.00 @ for General Admission and a Student Discount was offered on-site.
In full disclosure, I am not a WAMI voting member because I do not want to risk any bias I may have covering bands as a photojournalist.
The Festivities Begin – A Few noteworthy points
The host for the evening was Len Nelson who has been the regular WAMI host for several years. Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley presented the first few awards.
This was the final year for WAMI President Zoy Begos who was presented with an award for his tremendous effort over the years and was recognized with a special video message from Zoy’s favorite, Rob Halford of Judas Priest.
Zoy presented a special award to Geoff Landon for the years Geoff has announced the In Memory Of those Wisconsin musicians and those associated with the music industry, who passed away since the last WAMI Award Ceremony.
Live Music
The house band for the event was Big Spoon who played a variety of cover songs between award presentations. Bad Boy, Tae & The Neighborly, Betsy Ade and the Well-Known Strangers, and The Docksiders performances were the entertainment during the course of the evening.
WAMI Hall of Fame
The Hall of Fame is honorary and many non-members are inducted. I prefer to celebrate people when they are still with us, so they can enjoy being celebrated for their musical achievements, although that is not always possible. Here are those who were just inducted into the WAMI Hall of Fame:
Viola Smith: posthumously inducted as we lost her at the age of 107 on 10/21/20, although WAMI President Zoy Begos told me how they presented her with her induction WAMI Hall of Fame award before she died. She was born on 11/29/1912 in Mount Calvary, WI. She started as a drummer in the family orchestra band, Schmitz Sisters Family Orchestra. They toured the RKO (Radio-Keith-Orpheum) circuit of vaudeville and movie theaters. Her big break came in the 1930s and she started her own band, the Coquettes, an all-female orchestra, around 1938. She was also known as an advocate for female musicians in the industry dominated by men. She received a scholarship for Julliard in 1942 and from there she joined the NBC Symphony Orchestra. She had continued success and continued to play occasionally in 2019. Check out the great coverage NAMM gave her in 2020, just prior to her death: https://www.namm.org/playback/success-stories/namm-oral-history-spotlight-viola-smith
Kim Zick played drums during the induction of Viola Smith during the ceremony.
The Esquires: posthumously inducted, were a hot R&B band who formed in 1957 in Milwaukee while attending high school, initially performing as Betty Moorer and the Esquires. The original members: Gilbert Moorer (08/20/1941 – 08/28/2008), Alvis Moorer (01/18/1940 – 08/21/2011), Betty Moorer, and Perry Moorer (alto saxophone). They had a variety of formations, and there isn’t a consistent recorded history of the formations and timelines. They became The Esquires, reportedly after Betty left the band, again forming with different lineups, including short-timer Harvey Scales (09/27/1940 – 02/11/2019), Sam Pace (09/22/1944 – 01/07/2013)who joined around 1961, Shawn Taylor, and Millard Edwards. Around 1966, The Esquires moved to Chicago to audition for Curtis Mayfield before signing with Constellation Records. Constellation Records folded and it was Bunky Records who released The Esquires’ Get On Up in 1967. Their success as a recording band on Bunky records gave them the national and global exposure they deserved, frequently performing on the same bills with many bands, including Gladys Knight & the Pips, and performing at legendary venues including the Apollo Theater. They also opened for well-known headliners, including Glen Campbell and Neil Diamond. The Esquires II performed during the induction ceremony.
I will be featuring a few of the currently performing family members of The Esquires in future Shutter 16 Magazine articles.
Kevn Kinney: born and raised in Milwaukee. Most people know him from Atlanta’s Drivin ‘n Cryin, many of us Milwaukee area locals know of him from punk band The Prosecutors (1979 – 1982), and you can check out some amazing vintage photography on this Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/The-Prosecutors-119762401367611. After The Prosecutors, he and Richard LaValliere created a short-lived folk duo known as The Lonesome Desperados, then Kevn moved to Atlanta, where he formed Drivin n Cryin in 1985. We are super fortunate to have Kevn route home to perform both solo and with Drivin ‘n Cryin. His Facebook live shows during the pandemic gave fans a great opportunity to connect with him. He also supports several charities, including Guitars For Vets. Kevn’s songwriting and storytelling, which are often intertwined, happen to be favored by many, including me. https://www.drivinncryin.com/
Semi-Twang: From the Kenosha, WI area. Members are John Sieger (singer/songwriter), Mike Sieger (bass, singer), Mike Hoffman (producer/guitar), Bob Jennings (keyboard/saxophone), and Bob Schneider (drums). They are an Americana band known for “Salty Tears.” https://www.semi-twang.com/
The WAMI Wall of Honor
This is a new recognition established to recognize people of significance who contributed to the music industry and are not necessarily performing musicians. This honor was presented by WAMI Vice President, Ron Books, who announced the following inductees: Bob Babisch and Vic Thomas for their years and massive undertaking as Summerfest Talent Buyers, Milwaukee radio host Marilynn Mee, Milwaukee Band Leader Eddie Butts, former manager of Henri’s Music in Appleton Gary Shaw (award accepted by his family Beth Shaw and Keifer Shaw), and the Madison Area Music Association (MAMA).
The WAMI Winners and Nominees:
Mike Malone won Best Drummer
Candy Dax
Dan Cable
Devin Drobka
Patrick Wydeven
Kim Zick
Steve Vorass
Mike O’Hara
Them Coulee Boys won Bluegrass/Americana Artist
https://www.themcouleeboys.com/
Dig Deep
The Honeygoats
Trapper Schoepp
Chicken Wire Empire
The Whiskeybelles
Them Coulee Boys
Feed The Dog
The Mascot Theory
Stephen Cooper and The Nobody Famous won Horn/Big Band Artist https://stephencooperandnobodyfamous.com/
Extra Crispy Brass Band
Hot & Dirty Brass Band
Cold Sweat & The Brew City Horns
FBI & The Untouchable Horns
Big Band Reunion
Mama Digdown’s Brass Band
The Jimmys
Cedric LeMoyne won Best Bass
Nick Smith
Dave Maurer
John Wartenweiler
Matt Hammen
Craig Neuser
Ben Titus
Andy Mertens
The Jay Stulo Band won Blues Artist
https://jaystulo.com/
Dirty Deuce
Altered Five Blues Band
Reverend Raven and The Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys
Blind Fiction
Jake’O
Cash Box Kings
Jimmy Crimmins
Joe Hite won Best Keyboard
Dan Palmisano
Samuel P. McClain Jr.
Kristopher Crow
Shawndell Marks
Jamie Fletcher
Josh Becker
Mitch Cooper
Tim Mcilree won Best Strings
Cameron Fair
Holly Rognstad
Marisa Rose Sheppard
Ernest Brusubardis IV
Chauntee Ross
Tony Sturino
Corinn Bonkalski
The Roving Scallywags won Folk/Celtic Artist
Derek Byrne & Paddygrass
Blackthorn Folly
Nickel & Rose
Killarney Blarney
Reilly
Jesse Voelker
WarPiper
Stas Venglevski won Polka Artist
http://www.stasv.com/index.htm
SugarBush Boys
The November Criminals
Ralph Thull The Goodtime Dutchmen
The Squeezettes
Val Sigal
Alpine Blast
Steve Meisner
DJ Bizzon won Club/DJ/Dance/Electronic Artist
https://djbizzon.com/
Immortal Girlfriend
LUXI
MC Whitehorse
DJ Shawna
Crystal Knives
DJ King James
DJ Milo
Craig Vetrone won Best Live Engineer Sound/Lights
David Dec
Steve Wiegert
Trevor Powers
Justin Abuya
Steve Funke
Tim McClutchy
Michael Grassman
Bryon Cherry won R&B/Soul Artist
The Style
Lex Allen
Barbara Stephan Band
Charles Walker Band
Ms. Lotus Fankh
Cigarette Break
The Pocket Kings
Klassik won Hip Hop/Rap Artist
https://www.iamklassik.com/
Genesis Renji
Kaylee Crossfire
WebsterX
Zed Kenzo
Von Alexander
Shle Berry
JuiceBoxxx
Morta Skuld won Metal Artist
https://www.facebook.com/MortaSkuld/
Imperial Fall
Conniption
These Fading Visions
Under Aegis
QuietKind
Thrasher
Lords of The Trident
IfIHadAHiFi won Punk Artist
https://ifihadahifi.bandcamp.com/
Platinum Boys
Size 5’s
Indonesian Junk
The First Rule
Fox Face
Bad Year
BUD
Mr. Chair won Jazz Artist
https://mrchairmusic.com/
Mark Thierfelder & Janet O’Mahony
Match Stick
Erin Krebs
The Meade Street Collective
Harmon Brothers
Jamie Breiwick
Randi Fay
Kurt Gunn won Singer/Songwriter of the Year
Phil Norby
Chris Haise
Cullah
Goran
Mark Croft
Barbara Stephan
Kyle Megna
The Saloon on Calhoun won Best Live Club/Venue
https://www.saloononcalhoun.com/
Short Branch Saloon
Lyric Room
Cactus Club
High Noon Saloon
Deja Vu Martini Lounge
Paulie’s Pub & Eatery
Anodyne Coffee Roasting Co.
Matt Antoniewicz won Best Reeds/Brass
Matt Ostlund
Pete Ross
Katie Del Giacco
Michelle Jerabek
Kevin Van Ess
Nick Zoulek
Peter Neumer
Sean Williamson won Best Guitarist
Angie Swan
Pat Stillman
Raine Stern
Tom Raspanti
Dean Arndt
Matthew Schroeder
Rodney Zimmerman
Something To Do won World/Reggae/Ska/Latin
http://somethingtodo.ws/
Brewtown Beat
Unity The Band
Pegasis
King Solomon
Kojo
The Carlos Adames Group
In Black ‘n White
Marielle Allschwang & The Visitations won Alternative Rock/Rock Artist
https://www.marielleallschwang.com/
NO/NO
The Keystones
Dreamhouse
Flat Teeth
Lovanova
Carbellion
Jamie Fontaine & The Level
Samuel Elias won Christian/Gospel Artist
https://samuelelias.com/
The Band Eden
Brendan Brooks
Danen Kane
Branches Band
Steadfast
Night Divine
WithoutExcuse
Kneeverland Productions won Best Recording Studio
https://www.kneeverland.com/
Howl Street Recordings
Steel Moon Recording Studio
The Exchange Recording Complex
Cherry Pit Studios
National Recording
Subsidized Housing Records
Tanner-Monagle, Inc.
Eric LaBrosse won Best Studio Engineer/Producer
https://www.facebook.com/cherrypitstudios
Shane Hochstetler
Kevin Arndt
Ian Olvera
Marc Golde
Gary Tanin
Aaron Zinsmeister
Tom Washatka
Brenda Blackhalo won People’s Choice Southeast Best Music Fan
Bradley John
Roosevelt McCarter
Ben Slowey
Dan Goretski
Marty Morgan won People’s Choice Southeast Best Teacher
Daniel Faustman
Jim Kube
Derek Machan
Dave Zettle
The Saloon on Calhoun won People’s Choice Southeast Music Venue
https://www.saloononcalhoun.com/
Cue Club of Wisconsin
X-Ray Arcade
Rock Country MKE
Paulie’s Pub & Eatery
102.9 The Hog won People’s Choice Southeast Radio station
https://1029thehog.com/
FM 106.1
96.5 WKLH
88.9 Radio Milwaukee
95.1 WIIL
Last Crack won Hard Rock Artist
https://www.lastcrackmusic.com/
The Homeland Conspiracy
Black Belt Theatre
Sir Real
Leading The Blind
Amberstein
Slowburn
Sacred
The Docksiders won Tribute Artist
https://www.thedocksiders.com/
The Prince Experience
The Salford Lads Club
Aces High – A Tribute to Iron Maiden
The Glam Band
Steely Dane
METAL MEN
The Rush Tribute Project
Buffalo Gospel won Country Artist
https://www.buffalogospel.com/
Tangled Lines
Grand Union
Bella Cain
Madison County
Gregg Hall & The Wrecking Ball
Jay Matthes
Rebel Grace
Lilie Fouts won Rising Star of the Year
https://www.facebook.com/liliefouts/
The Waxlips
Twisted Chords
Parker Collar
Cherry Punch
Amelia Hopfensperger
Mackenzie Moore
Negative/Positive
7000apart won New Artist of the Year
https://www.7000apart.com/
PH!L
Boy Bjorn
The Last Bees
Ben Harold and The Rising
The Midnight Purchase
Laura Jean Bomber
The MilBillies
Almighty Vinyl won Cover Artist
http://almightyvinyl.com/
Face For Radio
Johnny Wad
The LoveMonkeys
Five Card Studs
The Presidents
The Cougars
Radio Radio
Rose of The West won Pop Rock Artist
https://www.roseofthewest.com/
Testa Rosa
Telethon
Fuzzy Surf
Laurel Sulfate & Her Ladies of Leisure
Rocket Cat
Xposed 4Heads
Doozey
Bobby Rouse won Male Vocalist of the Year
Rich Hoffman
Ben Mulwana
Stephen Cooper
Mike Wendland
Dave Adler
Andrew Balistreri
Vincent Black
Jennifer Schafer won Female Vocalist of the Year
Katie Mack
Tae
Genevieve Heyward
Michele McCarthy
Jackie Brown
Betsy Ade
Sammy Ray Marshall
Rose of The West – “Loves Lies Bleeding” won Song of the Year
https://youtu.be/uU-5UX5RxeE
The Keystones – “2010”
Bascom Hill – “Our Love Burning”
Nickel & Rose – “Another Man’”
Betsy Ade & the Well-Known Strangers – “Light Up My Summer”
Zach Pietrini – “Like the Pain”
Zed Kenzo – “Not Froze Yet”
Krestfall – “Where Do I Belong?”
Black Belt Theatre – “Power Petting” won Album of the Year
Stulo – Thiel – “Ghosts Around Here”
Chicken Wire Empire – “What Moves Mountains”
Goran – “Under A Nashville Sky”
Testa Rosa – “Testa Rosa IV”
Klassik – “Quiet”
Wisconsin Vinyl Collective – “Volume Three”
Kurt Gunn – “Northern Town”
Unity The Band won Artist of the Year
https://www.unitytheband.com/
Zach Pietrini
Rose of The West
Them Coulee Boys
The Jimmys
Trapper Schoepp
Klassik
Chicken Wire Empire
Shutter 16 Magazine would like to congratulate all of the Nominees, Winners, Wall of Honor Inductees, and Hall of Fame Inductees. We also appreciate the privilege of covering live music in Wisconsin!
