The countdown is on for one of the Major Musical Extravaganzas of the year - the 27th Annual Review Music Awards Ceremony & Celebration is set to take off on Sunday, April 21st at the BARTS Complex in Bay City, which is located at 804 E. Midland Street.
Doors will open at 4:00 PM and the Ceremony & Performances will begin at 5:00 PM with many exciting changes and evolutions planned for this legendary night when the public gets to party with their favorite artists and honor the incredible array of talent that contributes and comprises a major component of our cultural community.
Our first ceremony in 1987 was held at the legendary Fordney Hotel, which burned to the ground in a tragic and historic fire back in 1990 that changed the face & shape of Old Town Saginaw forever. At that ceremony we featured performances by a then unknown Larry McCray, the rising Nashville sensation Romeo Ridge, and The Mick Furlo Band, featuring drummer Donny Brown, who later went on to international fame with The Verve Pipe.
Over the years and decades many things have evolved and changed with both music and the
society in which we live, but for me what remains eternally exciting is the fact that the music and artists we value and honor with this event have reached and branched out in so many notable directions, solidifying the stature of talent that we are fortunate to have amongst us to cultivate, nurture, and support here in the Mid-Michigan Great Lakes Bay area.
The Review Music Awards is the only ceremony of its kind that connects people, audience, and artist together insofar as nominees & winners are entirely determined by the voting public at large and not a special committee. However, realizing that quality and talent with the performing arts is more than a mere popularity contest, this year we have also instituted a flight of Critic's Choice Awards consisting of music critics, journalists, DJ's, and Club owners, including Sue White, Trish Lewis, Howard Sharper, Josh Grosteffon, Lynn Roberts, Bob Hughes, Luann Erwin, Bo White, Donna Steeg, Ben Cohen and Red Hawkins.
But more importantly, when it comes to the quality of talent populating this area, there are certainly no losers, as every nominated artist is worthy of recognition in their own respective right - having distinguished themselves by inspiring enough of their audience and fan base to action by making it to the top of the list through vigorous nomination and finals rounds of balloting. During both the nomination and voting stage, which began back in January through our online edition at www.reviewmag. com, we have clocked over 7,000 votes over a 10-week period.
And now we're set for the fun to begin! Tickets for the 27th Review Music Awards Ceremony are available for only $10.00 advance and $15.00 at the door. You can also purchase a table of six tickets for only $50.00. Advance tickets will also get you admission to our first-ever VIP After Party that will be held at The Stables following the ceremony from 10 PM - 1 AM. This year's winners & advance ticket holders will be admitted to the VIP Party at no charge; and cover is only $5.00 for everybody else wishing to attend, with proceeds going to establish the Michigan Music Hall of Fame.
Advance tickets are available at the following locations: Saginaw: Review Magazine, Whites Bar, Records & Tapes Galore, Oppermann's Cork 'n Ale. Bay City: BARTS Entertainment Complex/The Stables, Mid Michigan Music, Bemo's, The Indie Spot. Midland: Tim Boychuck's State Farm Insurance, Mid Michigan Music, Espresso Milano and Winston's Pub.
Following is the Program Schedule & Itinerary for this year's Ceremony, which sparkles with an incredible array of talent. This will be a memorable and high-spirited evening of unparalleled entertainment that we urge you not to miss! Meanwhile, if you have any questions about the Ceremony, feel free to phone me at 989-780-4162.
27th Review Music Awards Program & Schedule
4:00 - 5:00 * Video Highlights of Previous Awards Ceremonies. A retrospective of musical
history in the making, spanning 26 years of performances and highlights from the Review Music Awards.
5:00 - 5:05 PM * Opening Remarks
Review Magazine publisher & editor Robert E. Martin welcomes nominees and attendees and recaps the voting procedure.
5:00 - 5:30 PM * Miscellaneous Awards
Best New Artist of the Year * Best Band Website * Best Duo * Best Solo Artist * Best Music Video * Best Radio Station * Best Music Festival * Best Live Event of the Year * Best Videographer * Best Variety Band * Best Original Band * Best Metal Band * Best Alternative Band * Best Folk Band or Duo * Best Tejano Band * Best CD Release * Best Concert Album or Project * Most Innovative Artist * Best Soundman * Best Waitress * Best Bartender
5:30 - 6:00 PM * Big Brother Smokes
Hailing from Hemlock Michigan Big Brother Smokes paints a musical soundscape with their unique blend of influences. The boys have been playing together for just a short time and have already had great success with their self-titled debut EP. Big Brother Smokes has a dynamic sound headed up by lead vocalist Matt Wardin. Matt's smooth smoky vocals remind many of the classic days of rock. Lead guitarist Travis Wardin brings a new edge to the bands sound with electric solos sweeping the mix. Holding down the backbone of the rhythm section you'll find Joe Balbaugh on the bass and Ross WIlkin on percussion. Together Big Brother Smokes unites to form a strong and diverse sound for all to enjoy. - Pop Vulture Magazine
6:00 - 6:10 PM * Jazz Awards
Favorite Jazz Club * Best Jazz Musician * Jazz Songwriter * Female Jazz Vocalist * Best Small Combo * Best Big Band
6:10 - 6:40 PM * The Barbarossa Brothers.
Based around the songwriting of Loren Kranz and Drew Pentkowski, Barbarossa Brothers are committed to creating a live experience tailored to our times, while retaining the taste of homemade roots music. Sweet country fingerpicking and snarling blues riffs flash and spark with rhythms inspired by the shuffling streets of New Orleans and the reggae bounce of island life.
As a duo of acoustic guitar and cajon drum, Drew and Loren began sharing songs in the spring of 2012. Soon they sought to expand to a full band sound with the addition of mutual friend Ryan Fitzgerald on upright bass. With the will to perform anywhere, from a coffeehouse to the rock'n'roll stage, to a crowded street corner, Barbarossa Brothers have plans to record in 2013.
Working around Kranz's touring commitments to Ann Arbor's the Ragbirds, they are carving out time to hone their sound and spread the word: More songs to come, keep Listening.
6:40 - 7:00 PM * Blues Awards
Favorite Blues Club * Blues Instrumentalist * Best Blues Video * Blues Songwriter * Male Blues Vocalist * Female Blues Vocalist * Best Blues Band * Best Funk Band
7:00 - 7:25 PM * Scott Baker & the Universal Expressions. SBUE have been playing eight years and have just released their third album Northern Hospitality Vol. 1 ...And Other Celestial Threads on April 12. Culminating an organic blend of songwriting, which includes songs from 3/4 of the band, Northern Hospitality V1 is the beginning of what it is like to live in Michigan within the balance of today's circumstances. Like pieces of a puzzle that complete a scene, the record flows like a classic album steeped in many different styles. It features blues, rock, acoustic, jam, swamp, that flow together seamlessly. Tonight the band will pull together much of the blues found on Northern Hospitality and then some as they take their second time to the Review Award stage.
7:25 - 7:35 * Michigan Music Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Inductions
Sonny Stitt * Michael Brush
7:35 - 7:45 PM * Country Awards
Favorite Country Club * Country Musician * Male Country Vocalist * Female Country Vocalist * Country Songwriter * Best Country Video * Best Country Band
7:45 - 8:15 PM * Dani Vitany & Ten Hands Tall
Bound by fate and mutual love of country music, DaniVitany & Ten Hands Tall shows no limitations with ability and style. Breaking out into the local music scene just 5 months ago with a solid five piece line up, they have been impressing audiences and creating a buzz with their brand of high energy country music. Singer Dani Vitany enchants and astonishes with her killer vocals and youthful exuberance, accompanied by the blistering genius of guitarist/vocalist Barry Forester and the equally talented and awe inspiring guitarist/vocalist Mike Shepherd.
Anchoring the front line is the rock solid rhythm section of veteran bassist Rick Brown and drummer extraordinaire, Dan Currier. Ten Hands Tall has just recorded their first demo and is heading back the Reed Recording Company to begin laying tracks for an original CD. In the meantime they are playing clubs around the state and looking forward to making great things happen.
8:15 - 8:30 PM * Critic's Choice Awards
Best Rock Band * Best Blues Band * Best Jazz Band * Best Country Band * Best Songwriter * Best Musical Event of the Year
8:30 - 8:50 PM * Rap Hip-Hop Awards
Best DJ * Best Mixtape/Release * Best Producer * Best Performer * Best Promoter * Rap Hip/Hop Artist of the Year * Best Rap Hip-Hop Video
8:50 - 9:05 PM * Melva Jane
Growing up in Bay City, Melva Jane Walker possesses an amazing passion for music, writing, dance, acting and many other forms of art. Blessed with an amazing vocal range and fresh ideas, she is making a definitive mark with her musical stylings.
9:05 - 9:20 PM * Tay Ray
New sounds from a legendary performer on the local Hip-Hop scene. At the age of 23, with an unusual combination of an old spirit and a young restless heart, Tay Ray has set attendance records both in his home town of Saginaw (4,800) and Grand Rapids (5,000) and set records for amounts of tickets sold to see a rising act. In 2003 Tay showcased at the Hard Rock Cafe in Beverly Hills, opening for the successful group B2K
9:20 - 9:35 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
9:35 - 10:00 PM * Brick Top Mafia
This original rock collective is populated by veteran musicians Scott & Mike McMath, formerly of Empty Pockets and Mike & Scott Robertson of Maybe August, along with Dave Miller, Rick Manges, Jim McClendon, John Dinsmore, Dana Osum, Earl Tiffen and Dan Ardouin. Their focused rhythmic drive and escalating musical interaction are certain to bring audiences to their feet.
10:00 PM - 1:00 AM * VIP AFTER PARTY
Steve Armstrong & the 25 Cent Beer Band
Securing numerous Review Music Awards in previous ceremonies, including Best Country Band, this group is on a roll with their original material receiving radio airplay and their ability to pack clubs wherever they perform. Consisting of Steve Armstrong on lead vocals & guitar; Steve Hornak on guitar & vocals, Jerome Ratell on guitar & vocals, Bruce Rupp on keyboards, Zach Brunett on drums & percussion; and Levi Goodwin on bass guitar, this winning group of musicians are the perfect exponent to party the night away!
Soul Xpress Band
When it comes to foot-stomping soul & R&B music delivered with the spirited brilliance of a top-notch horn section, this remarkable collective of veteran artistry mixes a full sound of brass, groove, soul, rhythm and boatloads of talent. Featuring the powerful interplay of guitarists Scott VanDell and Danny Dottery, bassist Ron Stapleton, Dan Lewandowski on saxophones and flute, John Rickert on Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Trombone, and Clarence 'Booney' Dottery on drums, this group is guaranteed to bring it all home.
info@review-mag.com
989-780-4162
Apr 04, 2013
Comments (0)