Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2012
MAMA honors best of Modesto area music scene
By Lisa Millegan Renner
lrenner@modbee.com
MODESTO — Two performers with a nationwide following were among the winners at the 13th annual Modesto Area Music Association Awards, presented Tuesday at The State Theatre.
Lindsey Pavao, who was a semifinalist on NBC’s singing competition, “The Voice,” last season, won the Off the Air award for best indie music. Dev, known for her hits “In the Dark” and “Like a G6” (recorded by Far East Movement), won the award for best urban or hip-hop. Both women are 2007 graduates of Manteca’s Sierra High School and are friends.
Musicians and fans, many dressed in black and leather, packed the 600-seat State Theatre to watch the awards ceremony. The crowd cheered throughout the show, which featured performances from many of the nominees.
Alan Sanchez from Channel 31’s “Good Day Sacramento” was master of ceremonies, wearing a bright jacket.
Nearly 200 nominees competed for honors in 20 categories in this year’s awards. They included the new category youth band, as well as rock, acoustic, rockabilly-psychobilly, metal, Americana, blue collar, blues, urban, house DJ, hip-hop DJ, venue, restaurant-cafe, comedy, large event, small event, dance club promoter and live music promoter. Winners were chosen by online vote at www.modestoareamusic.com. Close to 5,000 votes from around the world were cast.
Josh Rosenblum of the Josh Rosenblum Band was surprised to win the best pop rock award. “We love every band in the category,” he said.
Lifetime Award recipient Ginger Covert Colla, who taught music for more than 50 years at Modesto High School, California State University, Stanislaus, and other schools, urged the crowd to value music education. “We need to support music in the schools,” she said.
Darin Morris, who presented the award for best youth band to High Voltage, said Modesto’s music scene is on the upswing. “We’re going to be the next Seattle,” he said. “We’re going to have so many famous people from here.”
The awards are coordinated by music superfan and performer Chris Murphy and X-Fest promoter and Fat Cat Music House & Lounge general manager Chris Ricci. Nominees are suggested by nightclubs, promoters and members of the media.
“The music gets better every year, the musicians are better and the songs are better,” Murphy said.
Read more here: http://www.modbee.com/2012/10/23/2426260/mama-honors-best-of-area-music.html#storylink=cpy
