Tuesday, April 29, 2008:

Milwaukee, WI — Wisconsin’s top musicians and industry notables were recognized for their contributions to the state’s diverse music scene at the 28th Annual Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI) Awards Show, held Monday, April 28, at the historic Turner Hall Ballroom.

Awards were presented in 36 categories, ranging from recognition for musicianship and recordings to the industry-related technical areas, with recipients hailing from all areas of the state.

Award recipients are as follows:
Group:  Hindsight, Appleton
Solo Artist/Performer:  Peter Mulvey, Milwaukee
CD:  Little Bird, Corey Chisel and The Wandering Sons, Appleton
Female Vocalist:  Annie Denison, Milwaukee
Male Vocalist:  Michael Sean, Milwaukee
New Group/Artist:  House Blend, Cedarburg
Song:  “Red Fire,” Fever Marlene, Milwaukee
Americana/Rockabilly:  The Liam Ford Band, Milwaukee
Big Band:  The All-Star SUPERband, Milwaukee
Bluegrass:  .357 String Band, Milwaukee
Blues Group/Artist:  Reverend Raven and The Chain Smoking Altar Boys, Milwaukee
Christian/Gospel Group/Artist:  Chad James, East Troy
Classical Group:  Present Music, Milwaukee
Contemporary Jazz Group/Artist:  Chris Crain, Milwaukee
Country Group/Artist:  Geoff Landon & The Wolfpack, Milwaukee
Cover Band:  Johnny Wad, Green Bay
Folk/Acoustic Group/Artist:  The Moon Gypsies, Madison
Pop/Adult Contemporary:  Ronnie Nyles, Oak Creek
R&B/Soul/Hip-Hop Group/Artist:  The Figureheads, Milwaukee
Rock Group (tie):  Fahrenheit 420, Green Bay; Bellevue Suite, Milwaukee
Specialty/Nostalgia Group/Artist:  Beatallica, Milwaukee
Traditional Jazz Group/Artist:  The Paul Spencer Band, Milwaukee
World Beat/Reggae/Ska:  The Invaders, Milwaukee
Bassist:  Mike Spellman
Drummer:  Joey Zak, Milwaukee
Guitarist:  Alex Wilson, Milwaukee
Keyboard Player:  Joe Hite
Reeds/Brass:  Andrew Spadafora, Milwaukee
Specialty Instrumentalist:  Tommy Greywolf
Group/Artist Website:  www.houndstoothblues.com, Hounds Tooth, Milwaukee
Print Media:  Shepherd Express, Milwaukee
Producer:  Marc Golde, Appleton
Radio Station:  WYMS-FM 88.9, Radio Milwaukee
Stage Production:  Eliminator Audio Productions, Dousman
Studio:  Smart Studios, Madison
Venue:  Milwaukee Ale House

In addition, People’s Choice Awards for “Best Band/Artist of the Year” were presented for each quadrant of the state:
Southeast:  Ronnie Nyles, Oak Creek
Southwest:  Clear Blue Betty, Madison
Northeast:  Spin
Northwest:  Reverend Raven and The Chain Smoking Altar Boys, Milwaukee

There were two inductees into the WAMI Hall of Fame Class of 2008, with Manty Ellis and the BoDeans earning honors.

Manty Ellis is widely regarded as the cornerstone of Milwaukee jazz and has worked steadily to build appreciation for jazz in his hometown.  He was the musical director for “The Black Scene,” a local NBC affiliate public affairs television show, for three years in the late 60s and early 70s.  Ellis also co-founded the jazz program at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music along with Tony King and taught there for 12 years.  During that time, he directed a government-funded Model Cities program that provided Conservatory scholarships for underprivileged students.  Ellis also owned a music store, Ellis Music, and many famous jazz musicians, such as Freddie Hubbard, George Benson, and Frank Foster, visited when they were in town.

He has taught master classes and held clinics in college campuses around the region since 1977, in collaboration with bassist Richard Davis.  Ellis was a recipient of the 1997 Arts Midwest Jazz Masters award, and in 1999, he recorded a CD, “In His Own Sweet Way.”  He currently serves as the Artistic Director of the Wisconsin Jazz & Heritage Festival.

The BoDeans were formed nearly three decades ago in Waukesha by Sammy Llanas and Kurt Neumann, who have played together since high school.  The roots rock band released its first album, “Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams” in 1986, which quickly propelled the group into the national spotlight.  The BoDeans’ 1987 release, “Outside Looking In,” broke into the Billboard Top 100; at that same time, the band was touring with U2 and named “Best New Band” by Rolling Stone magazine.

In 1996, several Top 100 best-selling albums later, the band’s song “Closer To Free” garnered national attention as the theme song to Fox’s “Party of Five.”  “Closer To Free” earned the BoDeans an ASCAP award for being one of the most played songs on radio that year.

In 2004, the band released “Resolution.”  The album’s single, “If It Makes You,” quickly jumped into the Top 10 and stayed there for several weeks.  A live album and DVD were released in 2005 called “Homebrewed: Live from the Pabst.” The BoDeans’ eighth studio album “Still” was released in March 2008.

The Awards Show included performances by eight nominees, as well as 2008 Hall of Fame inductees Manty Ellis and the BoDeans, and concluded with a post-show party.

Since 1980, WAMI has offered continuing education for music industry professionals through monthly meetings and semi-annual music seminars.  The group also utilizes its funds to provide a Youth Music Showcase and provides scholarships to students and emerging artists.

To learn more about the annual WAMI Awards Show and this year’s winners, visit www.wamimusic.com or contact the Wisconsin Area Music Industry at wamimusic@yahoo.com.