An enthusiastic and up-beat gathering of 284 fans & supporters of regional musical talent in the Great Lakes Bay gathered together on Sunday, April 27th to honor musicians nominated in over 60 divergent categories at the Review’s 28th Annual Music Awards Ceremony & Celebration, which was held in the Genevieve Ballroom at Lumberbarons in Bay City.

The Review Music Awards is the original and most unique ceremony of its kind in the Great Lakes Bay region, 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, audience and artists together, insofar as the public at large determines winners. Plus this presented the second year whereby we conducted a Critic’s Choice flight of awards by canvassing top music writers, club owners, and radio DJ’s throughout the region.

Standout honorees this year included Dani Vitany & 10 Hands Tall who received 3 out of 6 Country Awards, Mandi Layne & the Lost Highway, recipients of 4 Peoples’ Choice & 1 Critic’s Choice honor; Andy Reed (3 Peoples’ Choice & 1 Critic’s Choice), Big Brother Smokes (4 Peoples Choice & 1 Critic’s Choice), plus Matt Besey and Bryan Rombalski who dominated their respective genres of Blues & Jazz. But the big surprise winner of the evening was Donald Benjamin and his new group Less Than Ordinary, which nailed a total of 11 awards – a sweep that has not occurred since 1990 with Roy Simon & Miner’s Junction and again in 1989 with Mirage.

Outstanding musical performances and unique collaborations were contributed to the evening by Jeff Yantz & the Barnhands, The ORGANization (Mike Brush, Dan Sliwinski, Jim Fulkerson, Bryan Rombalski, Michael O’Brien and Bo Briens, who turned in an unforgettable tribute to the Hammond B3 organ; The Ladies of the Michigan Jazz Trail, the deft showmanship of Greta Van Fleet, who’s members are all in their teens yet perform with an acumen well beyond their years; Spitzer, Rocktropolis, with Ten Hands Tall and Bluesmobile closing out the evening.

We hope you enjoy the profiles on some of the top winners included in this edition; and look for more winner profiles in upcoming issues of The Review.

From January through March a total of 6, 578 votes were cast online by registered voters, with the Top Five nominees in each division making the final balloting round.  Listed below is a breakdown of the winners, with the total number of nominees appearing at the top of each nominee list.

COUNTRY

Country Female Vocalist
Dani Vitany
Mandi Layne
Jodie Sasse
Kelsey Hathaway
Laurie Middlebrook
WINNER (TIE) • Dani Vitany & Mandi Layne

Favorite Country Club
(6 Total Nominations)
Castaways
Wil-Lew Lounge
The Stables
The Saber Room – Bay Lanes
White’s Bar
WINNER • The Stables

Best Country Band
(7 Total Nominations)
Dani Vitany & Ten Hands Tall
Matt Ryan Band
Steel Wheels
Steve Armstrong & the 25 Cent Beer Band
Mandi Layne & the Lost Highway
WINNER • Dani Vitany & Ten Hands Tall

Country Songwriter
(9 Total Nominations)
Matt Ryan/Randy Badour
Mandi Layne & Greg Kevorkian
Steve Armstrong
Bob Hausler
Barry Forster
WINNER: Mandi Layne & Greg Kevorkian

Country Male Vocalist
(12 Total Nominations)
Dale Michaels
Steve Armstrong
Matt Ryan
Greg Kevorkian
Barry Forster
WINNER: Matt Ryan

Best Country Musician
(16 Total Nominations)
Barry Forster
Randy Badour
Jerome Ratell
Greg Kevorkian
Bob Hausler
WINNER: Barry Forster

MISCELLANEOUS

Best Videographer
Jamie Satkowiak – Straight Edge Entertainment
Paul Vought – Indie Spot
Damon DuBois – ISMA
Sean Connelly – Sean Michael Creations
Matt Giddings – Shaky Media
WINNER • Jamie Satkowiak–
STRAIGHT EDGE ENTERTAINMENT

Best Folk Band or Duo
(6 Total Nominations)
Eric & Shannon Johnson
The Polyhymniacs (Kris Pride, Kris Goodwin, Darin Scott & Mike Andress)
Scott Baker & James Nelson
Bob Hausler
Joshua James & the Hellbound Drifters
WINNER (TIE) • Eric & Shannon Johnson
Scott Baker & James Nelson

Best Music Video
(7 Total Nominations)
‘Last Man Standing’ by Donald Benjamin
‘Whisky Drought’ by Sins in Stereo
Pete Metroupoulos ‘Rockstropolis’ – Pastime
Four Minute Death Ride – ‘Darkness Brings Silence’
The Tosspints – ‘Soldiers Heart’
WINNER • ‘Last Man Standing’ by Donald Benjamin

Best Metal Band
(7 Total Nominations)
Four Minute Death Ride
Desiring Dead Flesh
Burnaround
Lemon Frog
Solar Collapse
WINNER • Four Minute Death Ride

Best Recording Studio
(7 Total Nominations)
Maple Hill Studios – Eric Johnson
Indie Spot
Fire Hyena Recording Studio
Reed Recording Studio
Hott and Bothered Productions
WINNER • Reed Recording Studio

Best Concert Album or Project
(10 Total Nominations)
Waves – Big Brother Smokes
Rocktropolis Live at Bay City Friendship Shell 2013
Pinconning Bandshell ISMA
Mark Dundas Memorial Show – White’s Bar
Bay City Folk & Acoustic Festival – Bemo’s
WINNER • ‘Waves’ by Big Brother Smokes

Best Band Website
(10 total nominations)
Donald Benjamin Official:
www.dbenjaminblues.webs.com
www.RocktropolisMusic.com - Rocktropolis
tenhandstall.net – Dani Vitany & 10 Hands Tall
www.mandilayne.com - Mandi Layne & Lost Highway
www.IWantEventide.com - Eventide
WINNER • Donald Benjamin Official:
www.dbenjaminblues.webs.com

Best Alternative Band
(11 Total Nominations)
Less Than Ordinary
Big Brother Smokes
Darling Oranges
Brody & the Busch Rd Trio
Yum
WINNER • Less Than Ordinary

Best CD Release
(11 Total Nominations)
‘Destination Unknown: the re-release’ by Donald Benjamin
‘Waves’– Big Brother Smokes’
Yum
‘First Round Rookie’ – Sins in Stereo
Operation 13
‘Northern Hospitality Vol 1’ – Scott Baker & the Universal Expressions
WINNER • ‘Destination Unknown’ 
The Re-Release by Donald Benjamin

Most Innovative Artist
(11 Total Nominations)
Donald Benjamin
Pete Metropoulos – ‘Rocktropolis’
Jake Kiszka – Greta Van Fleet
Andy Reed
Lemon Frog
WINNER • Andy Reed

Best Radio Station
(10 Total Nominations)
Last Choice Country
The Madar Radio Network
Z93
97.3 The Joe
Q901 WUCX FM
WINNER • 97.3 ‘The Joe’

Best Music Festival
(12 Total Nominations)
Bay City Cityfest
Gorilla Warfare The ISMA Cirt
Dirtfest
Parkapalooza
FreeMusic Fest
WINNER: Dirtfest

Best Duo
(12 Total Nominations)
Donald Benjamin & Paul Tinglan
Dusty Bonez & Justin Walker
Mandi Layne & Greg Kevorkian
Scott Baker & James Nelson
Dani Vitany & Barry Forster
WINNER • Mandi Layne & Greg Kevorkian

Best Live Event of the Year
(12 Total Nominations)
Bay City Cityfest
ISMA
Dirt Fest
Parkapalooza
FreeMusic Fest
WINNER • Bay City Cityfest

Best Sound Technician
(14 Total Nominations)
Bryan Hampton - ISMA
Carey Limberg
Arthur Bissonette
Robyn Bailey-Grimsley
Pat Manke
WINNER: Robyn Bailey-Grimsley

Best Bartender
(16 Total Nominations)
Christy – the Stables
Leah Miller – Winston’s Pub
Katie – White’s Bar
Lindsay – The Stables
Cass – Bemo’s
WINNER • Cass at Bemo's

Best Waitress
(13 Total Nominations)
Leah – Winston’s Pub
Kari Jean – Stables
Cass – Bemo’s
Kayla – The Cloverleaf
Tara – Bemo’s
WINNER • Kayla at The Cloverleaf

Best Variety Band
(17 Total Nominations)
The Sinclairs
The Screaming Casanovas
The Rock Show
Eventide
Hipakritz
Burnaround
WINNER • The Rockshow

Best New Artist of the Year
(13 Total Nominations)
Less Than Ordinary
Polychromic
Greta Van Fleet
Yum
Sins in Stereo
WINNER • Less Than Ordinary

Best Solo Artist
(19 Total Nominations)
Donald Benjamin
Pete Metropoulos
Brett Mitchell
Andy Reed
Bob Hausler
WINNER • Andy Reed

Best Original Band
(26 Total Nominations)
Less Than Ordinary
Big Brother Smokes
Rocktropolis
Steve Armstrong & 25 Cent Beer Band
Mandi Layne & the Lost Highway
Dani Vitany & Ten Hands Tall
WINNER (TIE) • Big Brother Smokes
Mandi Layne & the Lost Highway

 

JAZZ

Female Jazz Vocalist
Julie Mulady
Honesty Elliott
Molly McFadden
WINNER • Julie Mulady

Best Jazz Video
WINNER • Robert Lee Revue – ‘Comin Home Baby’

Best Big Band
SAYJE – Saginaw Area Youth Jazz Ensemble
Baytones
Michigan Jazz Trail Big Band
Michael Brush with Brass & Strings
WINNER • SAYJE – Saginaw Area Youth Jazz Ensemble

Favorite Jazz Club
Spencer’s
Espresso Milano
White’s Bar
WINNER • Spencer’s Route 46

Jazz Songwriter
Bryan Rombalski
Darin Scott
Robert Balderama
Timothy Jay Ross
WINNER • Bryan Rombalski

Best Small Combo
(6 Total Nominations)
23 North
Bryan Rombalski & Three Worlds
Northwoods Improvisers
Robert Lee Revue
Mike Brush & Brush Street
WINNER • Bryan Rombalski & 3 Worlds

Best Jazz Musician
(6 Total Nominations)
Bryan Rombalski
Mike Johnston
Darin Scott
Jack Nash
Ryan Fitzgerald
Jim Pagel
WINNER • Bryan Rombalski

 

BLUES

Best Blues Video
‘Last Man Standing ‘ – Donald Benjamin
‘Live at the State Theatre’ – The Soul Xpress Band
WINNER: ‘Live at the State Theatre’ –
The Soul Xpress Band

Best Funk Band
Elements of Funk
The Soul Xpress Band
Bryan Rombalski & 3 Worlds
Phunk Shway
WINNER • Elements of Funk

Favorite Blues Club
Bemo’s
Winston’s Pub
White’s Bar
Grand Central
WINNER • Bemo’s

Blues Songwriter
(7 Total Nominations)
Donald Benjamin
Matt Besey
Scott Baker
Bob Hausler
Bob Charlebois
WINNER • Matt Besey

Female Blues Vocalist
(8 Total Nominations)
Carrie Westbay
Luann Ervin
Melissa Curry
Mary Reevies / MaryOke
Helen Hendrick
WINNER • Luann Ervin

Best Blues Band
(9 Total Nominations)
Less Than Ordinary
Blues Mobile
House Katz
Matt Besey
Scott Baker & The Universal Expressions
WINNER • Less Than Ordinary

Male Blues Vocalist
(9 Total Nominations)
Matt Besey
Scott Baker
Matt deHeus
Willie Dice
Dan Thorp
WINNER • Matt Besey

Blues Instrumentalist
(8 Total Nominations)
Donald Benjamin
Dennis Lewandowski
James Nelson
Ron ‘Rosco’ Selley
Gabe Couch
WINNER • Donald Benjamin

 

RAP/HIP HOP

Best Promoter
Sarah Parker – Indie Spot
Redburn
Chris Scott
Straight Edge Entertainment
WINNER • Straight Edge Entertainment

Best Rap/Hip Hop Video
MC Fox – ‘The Rapture’
Ryder Miller – ‘I Am’
Dre Lavey – ‘Noah’
Spitzer – ‘Strange’
WINNER (TIE) • MC Fox – ‘The Rapture
Ryder Miller – ‘I Am’

Best Mixtape/ Release
MC Fox – F.O.X. World
Adam Santoya – ‘Up’
Spitzer – ‘Tattoo Music’
Jacinto – ‘The Grow Room’
WINNER • Spitzer – ‘Tattoo Music’

Best Producer
(7 Total Nominations)
Adam Santoya
Charles Conley
Ryder Miller
Kevin Quoss – Matrix Beats
Dex
WINNER • Charles Conley

Best Performer
(6 Total Nominations)
MC Fox
Sleezy B
Alphabetics
Melva Jane
Spitzer
WINNER (TIE) • Melva Jane & Spitzer

Best DJ
(10 Total Nominations)
DJ Tazz
DJ Juice
DJ Snakes
DJ Mary Jane / MaryOke
DJ Junior
WINNER • DJ Junior

Rap Hip Hop Artist of the Year
(9 Total Nominations)
MC Fox
Redburn
Emcee GypSzee Thief
Ryder Miller
Spitzer
WINNER (TIE) • Ryder Miller & Spitzer

Best Rap Hip Hop Songwriter
(9 Total Nominations)
Melva Jane
Sub Line
Alphabetics
Ryder Miller
Spitzer
WINNER • Sub Line

ROCK AWARDS

Best Rock Video
(7 Total Nominations)
Last Man Standing – Donald Benjamin
Pete Metropoulos – Rocktropolis ‘Pastime’
Sins In Stereo – Whiskey Drought
Four Minute Death Ride – ‘Darkness Brings Silence’
Operation 13 Promo Video
WINNER • Sins in Stereo – ‘Whiskey Drought’

Best Keyboardist
(7 Total Nominations)
Sam Metropoulos
Devon DuBois
Marq Speck
Dave Banks
James Nelson
WINNER • Dave Banks

Favorite Rock Club
(12 Total Nominations)
Bemo’s
Mort’s Northern Bar
White’s Bar
The Machine Shop
The Cloverleaf
WINNER • Bemo’s

Female Vocalist
(16 Total Nominations)
Carrie Westbay
Colleen Babcock
Shar Molina
Mary Reeves/MaryOke
Dani Vitany
WINNER • Shar Molina

Best Rock Songwriter
(18 Total Nominations)
Donald Benjamin
Matthew Wardin – Big Brother Smokes
Pete Metropoulos - Rocktropolis
Andy Jeglic – The Distorted Waltz
Eric ‘Brody’ Braeutigam
JD Dominowski – Sins in Stereo
WINNER • Matthew Wardin –
Big Brother Smokes

Best Male Vocalist
(26 Total Nominations)
Donald Benjamin
Matt Wardin – Big Brother Smokes
Tommy K – The Rock Show
Andy Jeglic – The Distorted Waltz
Mike Abraham – Spur of the Moment
WINNER • Donald Benjamin

Rock Bassist
(28 Total Nominations)
Paul Tinglan
Sam Metropoulos
Glen Chipman
Joe Balbaugh
Tim Stroh
WINNER • Joe Balbaugh

Rock Drummer
(30 Total Nominations)
Pat Cherry
Marc Stemmler
Cody Little
Chris Bartnikowski
Steve Palmer
WINNER • Chris Bartinowski

Rock Guitarist
(33 Total Nominations)
Travis Wardin – Big Brother Smokes
Pete Metropoulos – Rocktropolis
Matt Hyatt
Scott VanDell
Derek Burk – The Busch Rd. Trio
WINNER • Pete Metropoulos - Rocktropolis

Best Rock Band
(38 Total Nominations)
Less Than Ordinary
Big Brother Smokes
Rocktropolis
Eventide
Brody & the Busch Rd. Trio
WINNER (TIE) • LRESS THAN ORDINARY & EVENTIDE

CRITIC’S CHOICE AWARDS

Best Rock Band
YUM

Best Country Band
Mandi Layne & the Lost Highway

Best Blues Band
Matt Besey Band

Best Songwriter
Andy Reed

Best CD Release
Big Brother Smokes

Lifetime Achievement 2014
Al Limberg

Lifetime Achievement 2014
Jim Schmidtke