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Saturday, March 20, 2010
SAMMIES take the party outdoors
by Sonia Lucyga, published on June 28, 2009 at 8:53PM
Storyline: Celebrating Diversity
The Sacramento News & Review Music Fest and SAMMIES (Sacramento Area Music Awards) Ceremony made its outdoor debut Saturday at Cesar Chavez Park in the sweltering heat but kept music lovers cool with the help of a dunk tank, beer and wine garden and the park's fountain.
In the past, the annual event has been held at the Crest Theatre, but this year, organizers of the 19th annual fest chose to celebrate in the sun, with art and fashion vendors and a huge inflatable slide.
The mood was celebratory throughout the festival. Children and adults alike splashed in the park’s central fountain as the 14 bands performed on two stages. The beer garden offered shaded areas for the 21 and over to lounge, and everyone stayed hydrated with Green Sol Water.
The various bands hailed from vastly different genres, from indie to country to heavy metal.
Terra Lopez, lead singer of the Outstanding Indie-nominated Sister Crayon, said she was happy for the exposure the event brings
“There are people here who probably would never have heard or seen us if it weren’t for events like this, " she said. "It brings people of different genres together…We played after a metal band. It’s awesome.”
“The News and Review, the whole SAMMIES thing, is the most legit event Sacramento has for its musicians,” said Tyler Campbell, lead singer of Arden Park Roots, which took home the SAMMIE for Outstanding Reggae/Ska/Funk/Jam. “ It’s the most supportive event and the most prestigious thing you can be a part of as a Sacramento band.”
The day concluded with the SAMMIES Award ceremony, where recipients came to the stage to accept their plaques and give brief acceptance speeches.
Members of the Outstanding Singer-Songwriter winner Be Brave Bold Robot paid homage to the late Michael Jackson by singing an a capella version of “Man in the Mirror” upon receiving their award. MC Rut (which was not present due to its tour obligations) swept the ceremony with awards in all three categories in which the band was nominated.
The 2009 Sacramento Area Music Awards Reader’s Choice Winners are as follows:
Outstanding Emcee:
Random Abiladeze
Outstanding Rock:
MC Rut
Outstanding Punk/Hardcore:
Final Summation
Outstanding Hard Rock/Metal:
Prieta
Outstanding Hip-hop/Rap:
Righteous Movement
Outstanding Turntablist:
DJ Epik
Outstanding Jazz/Blues/Latin:
Ross Hammond
Outstanding Indie:
the New Humans
Outstanding Country/Americana/Folk:
Light Rail
Outstanding Experimental:
Mom
Outstanding Singer-Songwriter:
Be Brave Bold Robot
Outstanding Teen Band:
Red Wire Army
Outstanding Reggae/Ska/Funk/Jam:
Arden Park Roots
Outstanding Pop:
Agent Ribbons
Outstanding Electronica:
Tha Fruitbat
Outstanding Hip-hop Producer:
Jae Synth
Outstanding Release/Album:
MC Rut, MC Rut
Outstanding Sacramento Band:
MC Rut
Author's Note: The photo credit goes to Jessica Zou
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You may want to make a more scientific study - we actually cover very few local bands. Sacramento News and Review writes about many more than we do - but you may be disappointed to know that we plan to write about more.
Fortunately, there are many other stories to read here!