So much incredible music has resonating throughout our Great Lakes Bay Region since the very first Review Music Awards Ceremony took place at Saginaw’s legendary and historic Fordney Hotel, which was the center-hub venue for a burgeoning regional musical scene that featured dozens of clubs on both Saginaw’s Hamilton Street & Bay City’s Midland Street Entertainment districts that were featuring live music six-nights per week.   

Over the years this event has traveled many halls & theatres throughout the Tri-cities; and on Sunday, April 22nd  from 5:00 PM – Midnight the public is welcomed to attend and celebrate the talents of hundreds of regional musicians at our 32nd Annual Review Music Awards Celebration at LumberBaron’s Brewery in their beautiful Genevieve Ballroom, which is located at 804 E. Midland Street in Bay City. Doors will open at 4:00 PM.

Yet, what remains eternally exciting for me personally, is the fact the music we value and honor with this annual celebration has reached and branched out in so many amazing directions, solidifying the stature of talent we are fortunate to feature and cultivate here in the Great Lakes Bay Region.

The ongoing strength of our regional music scene is indeed a miracle to behold, as it continues to register and set high standards for audiences throughout the world.  At our very first ceremony we featured one of the first performances by a then unknown GM worker named Larry McCray, the jazz band Silk (who’s member Felton Sparks actually did musical arrangements for the Tonight Show’s Doc Severinson; and The Mick Furlo Band, who were setting the pulse of original rock ‘n roll and also featured a drummer named Donny Brown, who later went on to international fame with The Verve Pipe. 

Meanwhile, only a few years ago we featured a then relatively unknown group called Greta Van Fleet, who within the past year have exploded on the international music scene, selling out venues spanning the globe minutes after their shows are announced, and being hailed as the future face of Rock ‘n Roll in well-known publications such as Rolling Stone, and Billboard.

This annual celebration is focused upon honoring the creative, talented and committed musical artists & individuals that cultivate the creative spirit and nurture the musical soul that defines and distinguishes the unique musical sound of our region.

Obviously, many changes have occurred and evolved in the Music Scene over the past 30 years; some good and some disappointing; but one thing that remains consistent is the need for artists to receive feedback and praise for the commitment and passion they invest into their creative endeavors, which is why this annual celebration was created as a means to invest them with a well-deserved recognition from both peers & fans.       

The Review Music Awards is the oldest and most unique ceremony of its kind in the Tri-cities, pre-dating and inspiring such offshoot endeavors as Saginaw On-Stage and The All Area Arts Awards. It is the only awards ceremony of its kind that connects people, audiences and artists together insofar as the public at large determines the honorees & recipients.

Moreover, realizing that music is about more than mere public acceptance, we have also assembled a panel of respected regional musical industry peers and reporters, to also present several Critic’s Choice Awards to honor those talents that have created works that may have slipped through the cracks of the broader consuming public.

The single purpose of this ceremony is to bring greater community, statewide, and national recognition to local talent, which we feel has a rich history of being one of the strongest in the state, and giving it the proper notoriety and attention that it deserves.

Guest personalities, cultural, and community leaders will assist in handing out awards the night of the ceremony, while a strong list of regional performers will headline this year’s show with live performances.

Tickets for this year’s 32nd Annual Review Music Awards are only $15.00 in advance, and $20.00 at the door, or you can purchase a block of six table tickets for $60.00.   

A dining menu will be available for all attending and advance tickets are now on sale at the following locations:

SAGINAW: Review Magazine, White's Bar, Records & Tapes Galore, Oppermann's Cork 'n Ale, The Listening Room, Bourbon & Co.

BAY CITY: Lumberbaron's Brewery/The Stables, Herter Music and Electric Kitsch.

MIDLAND: Boychuck's State Farm Insurance • Lil' Bighorn Music, Cork ‘n Ale, and Radio Wasteland.

Tickets are also available online through EVENTBRITE.com

32nd Annual Review Music Awards Schedule & Itinerary

4:00 – 5:00 PM – Video Highlights • Journey Through the Past  

A retrospective of musical history in the making that spans performance highlights and special moments from the past 30 years of The Review Music Awards.

5:00 - 5:10 PM – Opening Remarks

Review Magazine Publisher & Editor Robert E. Martin welcomes nominees and attendees and recaps the voting procedure utilized for this year’s celebration.

5:10 – 5:40 PM • The Jim Pagel Trio.

Previously winners of the Best Jazz Small Combo honor at our 29th RMA ceremony, this trio performs a rare genre of music knowns as ‘Gypsy Jazz’. Consisting of lead guitarist Jim Pagel, rhythm guitarist  Todd Bethune, and bassist Drew Slavik, the sound of Gypsy Jazz is shaped largely by the visionary guitarist Django Reinhardt, who used acoustic aural tapestries and instrumental precision to convey deeper emotional power into melodic lines than lyrics alone can convey.

5:40 – 5:55 PM • Jazz Awards

Best Jazz Video • Best Jazz Songwriter • Favorite Jazz Club • Best Male Vocalist • Best Jazz Musician • Best Small Combo • Best Big Band

SINGER/SONGWRITER SHOWCASE

5:55 – 6:20 PM • Winaschnitzel

This original two-piece acoustic act of Shannon & Steven Schnettler were destined to create music and invite you into a world where creation is infinite. With an impressive array of original and highly inventive material, they describe their sound as ‘Progressive Acoustic Boomage’ and cite influences ranging from Steven Wilson to My Morning Jacket, The Deftones, and Radiohead.

6:20 – 6:45 PM • Alex Kostka

Alex Kostka is a singer-songwriter from Bay City who describes his sound as honest and straightforward. “I like to think that my sound and songs can make you feel better and comfortable with yourself. That goes for any situation you may be in - different paths taken compared to others, life struggles, still figuring out what you want in life.”

6:45 – 7:05 PM • Miscellaneous Awards

Best New Artist of the Year • Best Band Website • Best Duo • Best Solo Artist • Best Music Video • Best Videographer • Best Radio Station • Best Music Festival • Best Live Event of the Year

7:05 – 7:35 PM • Marsupial Creampie

Consisting of Andy Hahn (vocals, trumpet, Kazoo); Amelia Jo (vocals, acoustic guitar) Terry Poirier (percussion) and Lennard Zimmerman (electric guitar), and hailing from all corners of the musical globe, Marsupial Creampie bring elements of a variety of musical genres together, throw them into the pouch, and up with creamy Electro-Acoustic Reggae jams guaranteed to get you hoppin’

7:35 – 7:50 PM • Country Awards

Best Country Video • Favorite Country Club • Best Country Musician • Male Country Vocalist • Female Country Vocalist • Country Songwriter • Best Band

7:50 – 8:15 PM • Rustbucket

Led by the driving vocals and melodic original songwriting by Mid-Michigan musical legend John Krogman and aided by lead guitarist John VanBenschoten, bassist Jim Spaulding, and drummer Scott Causley, Rustbucket mixes numerous musical influences, ranging from classic Neil Young and timeless Rock ‘n Roll constructions with Americana and Country undertones to create a driving and compelling sound entirely their own.

8:15 – 9:35 PM • Misc. Awards Continued

Best Videographer • Best Folk Band or Duo • Best CD Release • Best Concert Album or Project • Most Innovative Artist • Best Sound Technician • Best Waitress • Best Bartender • Best Recording Studio

8:35 – 9:15 PM • The Savior Machines

From the ashes of ‘Radio Therapy’ rises The Savior Machines, who consist of Robin Atha (guitar & vocals); John Cashman (drums)/vocals; former Banana Convention bassist Sean Drysdale; and the legendary Mick Furlo (guitar/vocals). Currently they are busy recording an album at Reed Recording Company to be released this fall.

9:10 – 9:30 PM • Blues Awards

Best Funk Band • Best Blues Club • Blues Songwriter • Female Blues Vocalist • Male Blues Vocalist • Blues Instrumentalist • Best Blues Band

9:30 – 10:00 PM • Monique Ella Rose Band

Monique Ella Rose is a singer/songwriter whose style blends with Soul, R&B, Blues, Jazz & Funk. She is quickly earning a reputation as one of Michigan's most exciting new talents. Born in Saginaw, raised in Detroit she was immersed in music at a very young age. Voted ‘Best Female Jazz Vocalist’ at last year’s 30th Review Music Awards, she released her first single, "Move On" in 2014. Her second single, "Hustle & Grind" was released later that year on her label, Soul Blend. "Rather being placed in any genre, I consider my music to be life music. That may come out sounding like funk one moment, classic R&B the next or even gospel. I write and sing what I feel."  She was honored at last year’s Review Music Awards as the ‘Best Female Jazz Singer’.

10:00 – 10:15 PM • Rock Awards

Favorite Rock Club • Rock Female Vocalist • Rock Male Vocalist • Rock Drummer • Rock Bassist • Rock Keyboardist • Rock Guitarist • Rock Songwriter • Best Rock Video • Best Rock Band

10:15 – 10:45 PM • Everyday Ghost

Previous nominees and winners of several RMA’s in an earlier incarnation, Everyday Ghost is a heavy melodic group with thought provoking lyrics, heavy guitar riffs, shredding solos, and a groove that will lock you right into the moment.  With a musical style that is reminiscent of Seattle Rock, they will perform a variety of their originals, including songs from their recently released collection of original material.

10:45 – 11:00 PM • Hip Hop Awards & The Final Four

Best DJ • Best Mixtape/Release • Best Producer • Best Performer • Best Promoter • Rap Hip/Hop Artist of the Year • Best Rap Hip-Hop Video • Best Songwriter • Best Alternative Band • Best Metal Band • Best Original Band • Best Variety Band

11:00 – 11:45 PM • Play to the Gallery

Formed in 2013, this Saginaw based band describes their music in a mix of industrial and mystical terms, bringing together elements of ‘steampunk’, ‘post-punk’ and danceable modern rock sounds. Their live performances are true musical ‘theatre’, as each member adopts a costume and stage-persona that mirrors their role. Christopher Lewis becomes The Barker, while bandmates Stephen Warrington II is The Conjurer, Kurt Schade morphs into The Gadgeteer, Matt Hill transforms into The Professor and Abbey Gradowski completes the combo as The Stargazer.

Nominees

Here are the nominees for the 32nd Annual Review Music Awards. During both the nominating and final voting round a total of 1025 nominees were submitted, with a total number of 7388 votes cast.  The total number of nominees in each division is listed beneath each category and the top five nominees that moved to the final round are listed here, with the exception of instances in which there was a tie for the fifth place of a particular division. Winners will be announced on Sunday, April 22nd at the 32nd Review Music Awards at Lumber Barons in Bay City.

Jazz

Jazz Songwriter
(Nominees: 13)
Mike Brush
Scott Vandell
Bryan Rombalski
James Besaw
Alison Scott

Favorite Jazz Club
(Nominee : 4)
Bancroft Wine .& Martini Bar
VNO Wine Warehouse
Indigo Venue
Whites Bar

Best Male Jazz Vocalist
(Nominees: 4)
Mike Brush
Joe Balbaugh
Matt de Heus
Mike Brush

Female Jazz Vocalist
(Nominees: 10)
Madison Beson
Alisha Wisniewski
Kristine Goodwin
Kim Roberts
Monique Ella Rose

Best Jazz Musician 
(Nominees: 16)
Alison "Bub" Scott
Joe Balbaugh
Bryan Rombalski
Todd Bethune
Jacob Wisenbach

Best Small Combo
(Nominees: 12)
Jim Pagel Jazz Trio
Monique Ella Rose Band
Bryan Rombalski & Three Worlds
The Straight Eights
The Standard Session

Best Big Band
(Nominees: 4)
Baytown Big Band
New Reformation
The Ugly Sweaters
The Standard Session

Miscellaneous

Best New Artist of the Year
(Nominees: 23)
The Dirty Shames
Here After Six
Bianca Henika
Tana Michaels
Melissa Lee
Jennifer Naegele

Best Band Website
(Nominees: 18)
www.DonaldBenjaminOfficial.com
www.EverydayGhost.com
www.melissamayandbriancoonan.com
www.tweedanddixie.com
The Mongrels

Best Duo
(Nominees: 27)
Donald Benjamin & Curt Cornell
Rick-tones
Melissa May & Brian Coonan
Winaschnitzel
Short 'n' Sweet

Best Solo Artist
(Nominees: 32)
Randy Badour
Donald Benjamin
Aaron Johnson
Jennifer Naegele
Carrie Westbay

Best Music Video
(Nominees: 12)
Letter to Heaven - Here After Six
Antidote - Everyday Ghost
"I Choose the Whiskey" - Donald Benjamin
Marxfest Documentary (Jeff O'Deay)
The President’s House - Kris Pride 
(Videographer: Kari Helm)

Best Videographer
(Nominees: 12)
Matt Giddings "Shakymedia"
Matt Brown - First Matter
Nich Gadille
Kari Helm
Jeff O'Deay 
(Marxfest Documentary)

Best Radio Station
(Nominees: 13)
Delta College 90.1 
WUCX 94.5 The Moose
98KCQ
Kiss 107.1 FM
Z 93

Best Music Festival
(Nominees: 15)
Crowded Couch Events
A Night In June Acoustic Music Festival
Hamilton Street Bash
Marxfest
Patchwork Festival

Best Live Event of the Year
(Nominees: 16)
Band Roulette
Blues on the Beach
Hamilton Street Bash
Marxfest (Whites Bar)
Parmalee at the Temple

Best Folk Band or Duo
(Nominees: 18)
Donald Benjamin & Curt Cornell
Melissa May & Brian Coonan
Rick-tones
Songbirds
Winaschnitzel

Best CD Release
(Nominees: 18)
Holy Water - The Barbarossa Brothers
"Southbound 75" - Donald Benjamin
Chickadee with a Little Jet Lag – 
Jennifer Naegele
Fireset - Everyday Ghost
Tweed and Dixie EP

Best Concert/Album or Project
(Nominees: 14)
Band Roulette
Barbarossa Brothers - Holy Water
Frankenmuth Concerts in the Park
Marxfest (Whites Bar)
Jim Pagel Trio w/ Joscho Stephan

Most Innovative Artist
(Nominees: 21)
Donald Benjamin
Michael Gonzalez
Aaron Johnson
Pete Metropoulos "Rocktropolis"
Andy Reed

Best Sound Technician
(Nominees: 15)
Robyn Bailey-Grimsley
Carey Limberg
Pat Manke
Mike Mitchell
Wally Sleeper

Best Recording Studio
(Nominees: 3)
Fire Hyena Studios
Reed Recording Co.
Hott and Bothered Productions

Best Waitress
(Nominees: 15)
Ariana Alvarado at VNO
Kristen Avram (Whites)
Angela Box at Willew
Jena Windiate (Tri City Brewing)
Jill (pez) at Willew Lounge

Best Bartender
(Nominees: 28)
Sarah Bickham – Chet’s Corner Bar
Strez - The Hamilton St Pub
Angela Box
Jeremy Pomeroy - Chet's Bar
Kristen Avram (Whites Bar)

Country

Best Country Video
(Nominees: 2)
"I Choose the Whiskey" – 
Donald Benjamin
Alan Turner – 
Windows and Mirrors

Favorite Country Club
(Nominees: 11)
Big D’s Bar and Grill
The Stables
Tool Shed
Whites Bar
Willew Lounge

Best Country Musician 
(Instrumentalist)
(Nominees: 25)
Curt Cornell
Rico Gonzalez
Billy Gunther
Arlyn Willett
Joshua James
Jon Potrykus

Country Female Vocalist
(Nominees: 15)
Amanda Beson
Jen Cass
Mandi Layne
Laurie Middlebrook
Mary Thomas (aka: MaryOke)

Country Male Vocalist
(Nominees: 23)
Steve Armstrong
Donald Benjamin T
odd Felske
Jon Potrykus
Arlyn Willett

Country Songwriter
(Nominees: 19)
Donald Benjamin
Barry Forster
Jen Cass & The Lucky Nows
Greg Kevorkian / Mandi Layne
Jeff Walikangas

Best Country Band
(Nominees: 23)
Kin Faux
Donald Benjamin Band
Steve Armstrong & the 
25 Cent Beer Band
Tweed and Dixie
Taylor Tucky

Blues

Favorite Blues Club
(Nominees: 3)
Bemo's
Scotty's Sandbar
Whites Bar

Blues Songwriter
(Nominees: 13)
Tim Avram
Barbarossa Brothers
Joshua James
Larry McCray
Bob Wall

Female Blues Vocalist
(Nominees: 14)
Luann Ervin
Monique Ella Rose
Mary Thomas (aka: MaryOke)
Melissa ‘Mel’  Curry
Kim Roberts

Male Blues Vocalist
(Nominees: 13)
Matt Besey
Joshua James
Joe Balbaugh
Larry McCray
Drew Pentkowski

Blues Instrumentalist
(Nominees: 13)
Bob Hausler
Jaron Jock
Larry McCray
Scott Vandell
Joe Stanley

Best Funk Band
(Nominees: 3)
Soul XPress
The Temper Padics
Ransom Band

Best Blues Band
(Nominees: 14)
Barbarossa Brothers
Hedgerow
Blues Mobile
Larry McCray Band
23 North

Rock

Favorite Rock Club
(Nominees: 17)
Bemo's
Hamilton St. Pub
The Loft
Whites Bar
Wil-Lew Lounge

Female Rock Vocalist
(Nominees: 20)
Honesty Elliot
Melissa May
Jennifer Naegele
Izzy Rose
Mary Thomas (aka: MaryOke)

Male Rock Vocalist
(Nominees: 35)
Aaron Blick
Lucas Christenson
Andy Hahn
Justin Miscikoski
Jake Priest 

Rock Drummer
(Nominees: 31)
John Cashman
Eleu Lopez
Mike Sylvester
Bryan Tasior
Michael Wilson

Rock Bassist
(Nominees: 31)
Joe Balbaugh
Nate Brookman
David Nordstrom
Ameer Pore'
Kirk Monore

Rock Keyboardist
(Nominees: 22)
Abbey Gradowski
Bianca Henika
Stephanie Noel
Jeff Ott
Les Wilder

Rock Guitarist
(Nominees: 41)
Robert Atha
Levi Elder
Levi Johnson
Eric Mulholland
Spence McDonell

Best Rock Songwriter
(Nominees:  27)
Lucas Christenson 
Jake Priest 
Greta Van Fleet
Justin Miscikoski
Aaron Blick

Best Rock Video
(Nominees: 13)
A Silver Lining - Don't Let Me Down
Handsome Pete - Bright Light
Here After Six- Letter to Heaven
Greta Van Fleet - Highway Tune

Best Rock Band
(Nominees: 37)
A Silver Lining
Damned by Dawn
Handsome Pete
Here After Six
The Savior Machines

Rap/Hip Hop

Best Mixtape / Release
(Nominees: 2)
Chase Passion
Doe Massino

Best Rap/Hip Hop Video
(Nominees: 2)
Chase Passion
Doe Massino

Best Promoter
(Nominees: 3)
Michael Gonzalez
D Rage
Redburn

Best Producer
(Nominees: 11)
Astray
Michael Pruitt
D Rage
Raul "Double R" Rosales
Kevin Quoss

Best Performer
(Nominees: 14)
Astray
Killa B`
Doe Massino
AM Crew
Mike Spitz

Best DJ
(Nominees: 14)
Mary Thomas (aka: MaryOke)
Mike Dennison
Khard
Redburn
Mr. Goob

Rap/Hip Hop Artist of the Year
(Nominees: 14)
Chase Passion
Astray
Killa B
Doe Massino
Mike Spitz

Best Rap/Hip Hop Songwriter
(Nominees: 15)
Chase Passion
Astray
Killa B
Mike Spitz
Rair Jordan
Rxsh
Doe Massino

The Final Four

Best Metal Band
(Nominees: 15)
Crazy Babies
Everyday Ghost
Legend Scroll
The Mongrels
Polychromic

Best Alternative Band
(Nominees: 16)
Barbarossa Brothers
Carrie & The Wayward Sons
Marsupial Creampie
Songbirds
Play to the Gallery

Best Variety Band
(Nominees: 25)
Carrie & the Wayward Sons
Tweed and Dixie
The Sinclairs Band
Marsupial Creampie
Mama Mokey and the Smokey Lynx

Best Original Band
(Nominees: 32)
Donald Benjamin Band
Carrie & The Wayward Sons
Greta Van Fleet
Here After Six
Tweed and Dixie