First Annual SacShows Local Music Awards

2009-08-14T22:00:35Z

This Sunday will mark the first ever SacShows Local Music Awards Show at Empire Club. The event, which will have a "Red Carpet Walk" for nominees and VIP guests, will begin at 7 p.m.

SacShows.com began in 2004 as a music information site that offered show listings for all of Northern California, said local promoter and founder Justin Nordan in an e-mail interview.

Nordan's relationship with Sacramento music runs deeper than four years, though. He recalls his "first love" moment 14 years ago.

"I was instantly transformed by my first local show in Sac when I was 18," he said. "I saw Cake and Daisy Spot at Crest Theater in 1995. I was hooked."

After two years of heavy travel, SacShows abruptly fell into disuse, Nordan said. He plans on relaunching the site eventually but is currently focusing on his three-year brain child: the awards show.

Nordan worried that his awards show might not be able to distinguish itself from Sacramento News & Review's SAMMIES. The SAMMIES held their 19th award show honoring Sacramento music this June. However, after studying awards events, Nordan decided there was room for both events.

"I admire the SAMMIES for their commitment over the past 19 years, but I feel that SacShows can cater to what the music community wants on another level," Nordan said.

There are 11 categories total, with five to seven nominees in each one. The nominees were decided by Nordan and a panel of four other music advisers whom Nordan describes as having "the most unbiased views of the scene."

"Basically, none of us have anything to gain from the nominees, so we were able to really look at all aspects of the artists, their music and their role in the scene," Nordan said. "We eliminated any bands that are signed to major labels, major indie labels, or are involved in development deals with either major or major indie labels."

The nominees are all from within the Sacramento area, Nordan said.

"I consider the Sacramento area from Elk Grove to Placerville and Davis to Auburn," he said. "I also include Marysville/Yuba City and Woodland in the local Sacramento area."

The winners have been chosen by community vote on the Internet. In the nine weeks the voting website has been up, it has received 2,000 unique votes said Nordan.

The event will feature a live DJ, catering by Beach Hut Deli, two bars and a raffle drawing. The Red Carpet will set the tone for a fun night of celebrating local achievements in music.

"The red carpet will treat bands the way they should be treated in the local music scene," Nordan said. "They are talented artists, and stars in the eyes of some fans. I figured we need to make them feel like they are stars."

Even with exciting features like a red carpet, a question still lingers as SacShow's David steps up to the 19-year-old SAMMIES Goliath. How will the SacShows awards event differ from the SAMMIES?

"The awards ceremony itself," Nordan said. "We don't have nominated bands, or winners, playing at the event. That is so we can truly be as unbiased as possible. I don't want to give away the winners, nor play favorites with bands on the bill."

The lack of performances during the show isn't the only defining characteristic of Sunday's event. Nordan strives to make the awards show something of a creative communal brainstorm, while honoring those who inspire it.

"I wanted to create an event that inspires, cultivates creative energy, recognizes talented artists, allowed fans to be a part of the experience, acknowledge the 'founding fathers' of our local scene, and made everyone feel welcome," Nordan said.

The theme of inclusion, of representing the hospitality that exists in Sacramento's artistic community, is one of Nordan's driving motivations in holding the first ever SacShows awards event.

"I don't care if you are a band from the 'burbs, or a band in Midtown," Nordan said. "We want everyone to be involved in this musical rebirth."

WHAT: SacShows Local Music Awards Event
WHERE: Empire 1417 R St
WHO: all ages
HOW MUCH: $10

To learn more about the event, click here or here.

All images courtesy of SacShow's Myspace.