Rockin' Blues, R&B Greats, & 'Bad Seeds' Highlight 5th Annual SBMA's

(Photo Caption) - SBMA Executive Producer Ken Andrews (l) pictured with Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, legendary Motown vocalist, Brenda Holloway.

ROCKIN' BLUES, R&B GREATS, & 'BAD SEEDS' HIGHLIGHT 5TH ANNUAL SOUTH BAY MUSIC AWARDS


(IRVINE) -- From the electrified, rockin' blues of "Best Guitarist" recipient Jay Gordon (and the Penetrators); to an unexpected performance by Motown legend Brenda Holloway; to a rousing mini-set by reggae torch-bearers Tomorrow's Bad Seeds, the 5th Annual South Bay Music Contained something for everyone. Staged at the famous Improv in Irvine, the event included Pre-show interviews conducted by Radio Personality Mark Maverick of Indie 104 (IRadioLA).

After R&B vocalist (and the evening's emcee) Brandy-Moss Scott kicked things off with a rousing four-song set, the "Lifetime Achievement Award" was presented to renowned vocalist Brenda Holloway - who then proceeded to belt out a terrific rendition of the classic tune "Knock On Wood" that had the audience singing along with her. All these years later, the lady still has it!!! A quick one-song performance by South Bay faves (and "Alternative Group or Artist" winners) Hollywood Hot Rod was then followed by aforementioned Riverside-based blues-rocker Jay Gordon -- who, along with "Bassist of the Year" winner Sharon Butcher and drummer Mike Elliot -- brought the house down with a sizzling three-song set that included a kick-ass rendition of the Allman Brother's classic, "Whipping Post." Not long after a few awards were presented, Sacramento rockers (and winners of "Best Independent CD") the Grumpy, fronted by guitar ace Cameron Carbrey, took the stage and delivered, in the words of SBMA Executive Producer Ken Andrews, "a jaw-dropping performance...the power and energy they delivered to the audience was truly indicative of the passion they have for their music. I foresee many more awards to come," Andrews concludes.

After several other awards were presented -- including "Female Vocalist of the Year" Nicole Hart, who flew all the way in from New York to attend and who looked stunning in a short, body-hugging pink dress -- reggae group Tomorrow's Bad Seeds delivered a blistering two-song set with a chant at the end that had all the audience members clapping along with them. Though the evening was cut short and a few terrific bands didn't get to perform (Orange County's own/"Best Rock Band" winners Star Off Machine; Ninth Circle; and Intensity, among them)due to strict time constraints, all and all a good time was had by those who were there.

Below are all the Winners and their respective categories:

"Songwriter of the Year" -- Jeffrey Halford
"Video of the Year" -- Sid Z
"Bass Player of the Year" -- Sharon Butcher (Jay Gordon and the Penetrators)
"Guitarist of the Year" -- Jay Gordon (Jay Gordon and the Penetrators)
"Drummer of the Year" -- Dave Davis (Ninth Circle)
"Rock Band Or Artist of the Year" -- Star Off Machine
"Independent CD of the Year" -- the Grumpy (Throes of Contemplation)
"Male Vocalist of the Year" -- Howard McCullum
"Female Vocalist of the Year" -- Nicole Hart

"Song of the Year" -- Eileen Carey (for 'That Was Her, This Is Now' - Keith Urban/Vernon Rust)
"Country Artist or Group of the Year" -- The Flutterbies featuring Maureen Davis

"Keyboardist of the Year" -- Mark Nanni
"Pop Group or Artist of the Year" -- Hear Kitty Kitty
"Reggae Group or Artist of the Year" -- Tommorrow's Bad Seeds
"Blues Group or Artist of the Year" - Blues Gone South
"Jazz Group or Artist of the Year" -- Earl R. Johnson Jr.
"Best Live Group or Artist" -- Intensity

"Hip Hop Group or Artist of the Year" -- Young Scrap
"Alternative Group or Artist of the Year" -- Hollywood Hot Rod
"Techno Artist or Group of the Year" -- DJ Blake
"Pioneer Award" -- Fred Anderson
"Music Executive of the Year" -- Bob Cutarella
"Lifetime Achievement Award" -- Brenda Holloway
"Lifetime Achievement Award" -- Davie Allen
"Executive Producer Award" -- Ken Andrews
"Executive Director Award" -- Derrick "Big D" Butler
"Publicist of the Year" -- Doug Deutsch