It was more than I could have hoped for.
Sure, the stage crew had some comic moments with their delapitated curtain, and the all ages aspect of the venue had people on three levels - but otherwise it was a great night.
So let's see...
The great latin guitar group Key Of Dreams came out to play to the early comers before we got started. Then Kelley Day from KOIN News 6 did the show introduction before I came out and did my thing.
Then with a few awkward tugs of the curtain, Ohmega Watts exploded onto the stage. He was great, his band killed. Was a bombastic way to start the night.
Drew Carney from KGW and Stacey Lynn from 107.5fm presented the initial awards. First was the award for World Music which went to 3 Leg Torso, followed by the Classical Music award to Portland Cello Project. Both were pleasantly surprised by the win and got the night off to a good start.
The bluegrass great Caleb Klauder was joined onstage by Sammy Lind and friends. Following Ohmega Watts, we couldn't have contrasted two acts more, but it worked very well, setting the tone for the diverse range of music we would hear for the night.
Then China Forbes from Pink Martini and I came out and gave a pair of awards. The Portland Music Company won for Best Music Store, and perennial favorite Music Millenium won for Best Record Store. Terry Currier came up and gave a very heartfelt speech that moved the audience.
Gunnar Roads. It is all anyone can talk about. If you go to YouTube and put in Portland Music Awards it will come up. Gunnar Roads is a 13 year old kid who plays a bad ass blues guitar. His entire band was under pre-teen age in fact. Add to that his wildly talented piano player was blind, and this was something to see. The little guy had all the girls backstage, let me tell you.
Drew Carney was joined this time by Crystal Kash from KUFO to give out the award for Best Radio Station to our good friends at KMHD 89.1fm. Also presented was the highly competitive award for Best Compilation Album, which went to Pacific Oncology. The directors of the group came up and talked about their work with cancer patients.
My favorite drummer and his band The Drew Shoals Collective took the stage next. Let me tell you, Drew is amazing. In addition to fronting his own group, he played drums for both Ohmega Watts and even me.
Next was a very special moment for everyone who attended. China Forbes was joined by fellow local music luminary Bobby Torres. They presented the much anticipated Legends Award. The whole room lit up when The Kingsmen took the stage. They were a favorite backstage of all of the performers.
Ashleigh Flynn was scheduled to play next, but she fell ill prior to the show. So instead, we brought back Key Of Dreams to do a song as part of the show, and everyone was glad we did.
The big names continued when we brought up former NFL head coach Jerry Glanville and local jazz piano great Tom Grant to present the awards in Jazz and Blues. Drew Shoals was moved when he was announced the winner, and Papa Salty was already warming up backstage when he won for Blues.
To say Papa Salty was surprised would be a grand understatement, but well deserving as they showed by taking the stage next. Their funky blues tune had the audience wrapped around their finger.
Chloe and Darcy from PDX 49 took the stage to present a trio of awards for best venue (small, mid size and large). They were a great team and had the crowd eating out of their hands. Awards went to Mississippi Studios, Doug Fir Lounge and the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Alicia Rose accepted for thr Doug Fir and showed why she is the Grand Dame of the local music market.
My favorite women from Soundspell played next. They are so underrated, and showed off their outstanding talent.
My favorite moment of the night. I got to go onstage with Art Alexakis from Everclear and present the Pioneer Award to Terry Currier. Art was an incredible addition to the night, and Terry is not only a friend (to everyone), but easily the most amazing individual in the Portland music scene.
Josh Hodges, that song, those drums! This indie favorite thrilled the crowd with his performance, playing drums and singing, and finishing up with the whole band whomping the drums at the same time. It was cool.
Bobby Torres came back up with the young Gunnar Roads, though Roads was so cool it was hard to tell who was the rookie and who was the veteran. Alicia Rose won the award for Talent Booking and gave a great speech, and Modest Mouse won for Best Live Performance.
Next to perform was the great band Carlyle, who was doing the song 'Jigsaw', which was featured on the compilation album that won earlier in the evening.
Tom Grant and Drew Shoals(? I dont rememnber...lol) came out to present a pair of awards. Caleb Klauder, who performed earlier, won the Country Music award, and Chris Isaak won for Best Live Show by a National Touring Act.
Yes, then the curtain was pulled back and yours truly was there with my incredible all star band. Dave Fleschner on piano, John Shaw on bass, Tim Todd on electric violin and Drew Shoals on drums. So I am trying to remember how he presented and then came back to be ready to play. I dont know, was busy readying...lol. We did 'Tea In The Sahara', relishing in the Sting irony. Haha. I thought we were great, you?
Chloe & Darcy came back out to present Album Of The Year to Ohmega Watts for his record, 'Watts Happening'. Such a great choice.
Leigh Marble performed next. What a great performance. He was the beginning of a huge ramp up for the last leg of the show.
I then presented the award for Best Female Artist. This was cool, because the great Debra Arlyn won this one, against some incredible competition (Jasmine Ash, Linda Hornbuckle, Laura Gibson, Ashleigh Flynn).
I then got the pleasure of presenting the Best New Band award to the clear crowd favorites, The Dimes. They had tons of fans present this night, who made themselves known.
Next was a moment many had been waiting for all night. Art Alexakis came out and while tuning, gave a little speech about supporting the city of Portland and his friend Terry Currier. Once he started singing, that seemed to be the cue for women to scream. Good grief, Art...lol.
Chloe and Darcy came out one last time, funny as ever. This time to present the big award for Best Male Artist. A surprising no-show, but the no less deserving jazz great Renato Caranto came away the winner.
Finally, The Dimes. Are these guys not incredible? I think they did two songs, not sure. Was too loud from people screaming, and me getting ready to present the last award - Band Of The Year.
No, not The Dimes, but Band Of The Year was The Decemberists. Good 'ol Colin.
After thanking everyone for coming, we closed out the show with the raucous performance by the phenom ska/reggae group, Uprite Dub Orchestra.
All in all, a great night. People seemed to really enjoy themselves. Lots of press, lots of cameras. We will be launching the new website soon which will have tons of photos and video, as well as in the March issue of the magazine.
Thanks for those who came, hope you had a good time. If you missed the show, see you next year!
In list form...The Winners
Pioneer Award - Terry Currier
Legends Award - The Kingsmen
Album Of The Year - 'What's Happening ' by Ohmega Watts
Band of the Year - The Decemberists
Best Male Artist of the Year - Renato Caranto
Best Female Artist of the Year - Debra Arlyn
Best New Artist - The Dimes
Best Compilation Album of the Year - 'Bridges' by Pacific Oncology
Outstanding Achievement in Jazz - Drew Shoals
Outstanding Achievement in Blues - Papa Salty
Outstanding Achievement in Classical Music - Portland Cello Project
Outstanding Achievement in Country Music - Caleb Klauder
Outstanding Achievement in World Music - 3 Leg Torso
Outstanding Achievement in Talent Buying - Doug Fir
Best Music Store - Portland Music Company
Best Record Store - Music Millennium
Best Radio Station - KMHD - 89.1 FM
Best Music Venue - Large - Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
Best Music Venue - Mid-size - Doug Fir
Best Music Venue - Small - Mississippi Studios
Best Live Performance - Modest Mouse
Best Live Show by a National Touring Act - Chris Isaak