19th Annual RAMI Awards a successful event

Arik Jenkins accepts the Community Service Award on behalf of Guzzardo Performance Music's Emerging Artists Competition. Photo by Jon Lambert

By Jim Hagerty
Staff Writer

Hundreds of musicians, supporters and a sizable event staff were on hand at Tebala Shrine Temple for the 19th Annual Rockford Area Music Industry (RAMI) Awards last Thursday, April 29, to cap another successful year for the local music scene.

Awards were given in 35 categories including Album of the Year (Miles Nielsen), New Act (Dirty Fishnet Stockings), Song of the Year (Silver) and Folk/Solo Pop (Sarah Ambramowitz).

Steve Shannon (DJ, drummer, radio personality), Harlan Jefferson & Rick Burns (blues, jazz and funk artists) and Ernie & the Po’ Boys (blues band) were inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Lifetime Achievement Award recipients were Joe Paluzzi, Vincent Chiarelli and the late Doug Furze. Sandy Petersen, wife of longtime hornist Kevin Petersen, accepted the first-ever In Memoriam Award. Petersen played with a host of local bands before his death last summer.

Between award presentations, some of Rockford’s best bands entertained the crowd. Dean Moriarty Jazz Band, Too Deep, 2010 RAMI Youth Charity Jam winner Hope Despite and AudioDrive were among the acts to take the stage.

According to RAMI Secretary Cindy Maschke, the performances would not have been possible without the support of Guzzardo Performance Music. Led by efforts of area musician and songwriter Arik Jenkins, Guzzardo provided the stage equipment and major contributors to the RAMI Youth Charity Jam.

“Arik does a heck of a lot for RAMI,” Mashke said.

For its years of community support for young musicians, Guzzardo Performance Music was presented with a Community Service Award for its Emerging Artist Competition.

“(RAMI co-founder) Gary Wilmer would be very proud of the recipient of this year’s Community Service Award,” emcee Jim McDowell said before presenting the award to Jenkins.

RAMIs were also awarded to the best in five Technician categories. Dwayne Barker of Barker Studios took home two technical awards (Best Recording Studio and Studio Sound Engineer) while Erik Myles (Lighting Technician), Tori Peterson (Live Sound Engineer) and Luis Lara earned top honors in the Technician category.

The event was superbly catered by Mike Tietz of Lucerne’s Fondue & Spirits, while La Monica Beverage supplied a fully-stocked selection of beer and wine.

For more information about RAMI, visit its Web site at ramiawards.com.

2010 RAMI Award recipients

Following are the 2010 RAMI Award recipients, by category:

Album of the Year—Miles by Miles Nielsen

Blues—Steve Ditzell & Blue Lightning Band

Cabaret/Broadway—Mike Williamson Trio

Choral Group—Rock Valley Community Chorale

Christian—Epiphany

Classical Ensemble—Mendelssohn Chamber Orchestra

Classical Instrumentalist—Katie Schulz

Community Service—Guzzardo Performance Music’s Emerging Artists Competition

Composer of the Year—Miles Nielsen

Country/Bluegrass—Southern Heritage

DJ—DJ Jordan Chance

Folk/Solo Pop—Sarah Ambramowitz

Funk/R&B—The Usual Suspects

Gospel—Awe Struck

Jazz, Contemporary—Dan Voll

Jazz, Traditional—Cocktail Party

Latino—Revolucion De Amor

Lighting Technician—Erik Myles

Live Sound Engineer—Tori Peterson

Musical Outreach Organization—Phantom Regiment

New Act—Dirty Fishnet Stockings

Outstanding Achievement—Tracy Silverman

Rap/Hip Hop—Young Jilla

Recording Studio—Barker Studios

Rock, Acoustic—Cover Story

Rock, Classic—The Crunchy Frogs

Rock, Hard/Metal—Shuvlhed

Rock, Modern—The Stevee Nix

Rock, Oldies—Vintage Vinyl

Rock, Pop/Retro—The Sensations

Rock, Punk/Indie/Alternative—Mulligan Stu

Song of the Year—“Needing You Tonight” by Silver

Stage Manager—Luis Lara

Studio Sound Engineer—Dwayne Barker

World Music—Pipes and Drums of Clan MacAlpine

From the May 5-11, 2010 issue

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