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2021 LIMELIGHT MAGAZINE MUSIC AWARDS WINNERS

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This afternoon’s Limelight Magazine Music Awards at the Vault Music Hall in New Bedford, MA, was the first to air exclusively on YouTube with a limited, in-person audience following Covid-19 indoor protocols for events in restaurants. Click HERE to watch the video.

We’d like to thank our friends Stormstress for hosting the ceremony, blindspot, Kala Farnham, Jay Psaros, and Prateek for pre-recording their live performances, the radio DJs who helped spread the word about the event, Vault Music Hall for allowing us to use their facility, and everyone who took the time out of their schedules to either watch online or attend in person despite the Covid-19 protocols.

Furthermore, we’d like to acknowledge one last time New Bedford City Councilor Ian Abreu and the New England Music Awards for being the primary sponsors for this event as well as Music Go Round, Athena’s by Michelle M., Boston Rock Radio, East Coast Alice – The Ultimate Alice Cooper Experience, Kokopelli Realty, Rick’s Music World, Seth’s Rock Report, Shell Shock Acoustic, Soundcheck Studios, Taylespun Studio Contemporary Fine Art, Underground Recording Co., Don Burton Media, Purchase Street Records, and the Vault Music Hall for sponsoring the individual awards.

– Jay & Katie, Co-Owners, Limelight Magazine/JKB Entertainment Group

Here’s the final run down of all the nominees, including the winners and runner ups. Congratulations to everyone listed on this ballot!

Album/EP of the Year (Group)  (Sponsored by Purchase Street Records)

  • Bad Marriage – Bad Marriage [WINNER]
  • The Blue Ribbons – Thoughts and Prayers
  • The DayBreakers – Worn Out Dream
  • First Bourne – Pick Up The Torch
  • Red Reveal – Red Reveal
  • Renegade Cartel – Dear World [RUNNER UP]
  • Special Guests – Alumninaughty
  • The Varsity Club – Cobblestones

Album/EP of the Year(Solo Artist)  (Sponsored by Underground Recording Co.)

  • Katie Dobbins – There is Light [WINNER]
  • Carissa Johnson – A Hundred Restless Thoughts [RUNNER UP]
  • Brandon Manter – Off My Mind
  • Amanda McCarthy – Road Trip
  • Grace Morrison – Reasons
  • Monica Rizzio – Sunshine is Free
  • Brian Sances – All My Might
  • Jennifer Truesdale – Trough the Circle

Band of the Year (Sponsored by Music Go Round)

  • Bad Marriage [WINNER]
  • Crooked Coast
  • The DayBreakers
  • The Devils Twins
  • First Bourne
  • Lily Black [RUNNER UP]
  • Exit 18
  • Moment of Clarity

Country Artist of the Year  (Sponsored by Vault Music Hall)

  • Back Rhodes
  • Houston Bernard Band
  • Blame the Whiskey [WINNER]
  • Annie Brobst
  • Darren Bissette Band
  • April Cushman [RUNNER UP]
  • Martin and Kelly
  • Carly Tefft

Female Vocalist of the Year (Sponsored by Athena’s by Michelle M)

  • Giuliana Amaral (of Band, Inc.) [WINNER]
  • Gianna Botticelli (a.k.a. Ghost Grl)
  • Kala Farnham
  • Bethany Lawson (of Plastic Angels)
  • Shonna Lee (of Payback)
  • Sarah Levecque
  • Julie Rhodes [RUNNER UP]
  • Amalia Ververis (of Melic Moon)

Frontperson of the Year  (Sponsored by East Coast Alice – The Ultimate Alice Cooper Experience)

  • Nicole Marie Coogan (The Devil’s Twins) [RUNNER UP]
  • Ben Cote (The Ben Cote Band)
  • Alexa Economou (blindspot) [WINNER]
  • Sean FitzGerald (The NB Rude Boys)
  • Carly Kraft (Coral Moons)
  • Jon Paquin (Bad Marriage)
  • James Rohr (The Blue Ribbons)
  • Jackson Wetherbee (The Elovaters)

Hard Rock/Metal Act of the Year  (Sponsored by Boston Rock Radio)

  • Afterimage [RUNNER UP]
  • Devil in the Mist
  • Heavy AmericA  
  • One Time Mountain
  • Purging Sin
  • Red Sky Mary
  • SiXteenX20 [WINNER]
  • Verscythe

 Live Artist of the Year  (Sponsored by Rick’s Music World)

  • The Ben Cote Band [WINNER]
  • Bird Mancini
  • Ashley Jordan
  • Lady Lupine
  • Sons Lunaris
  • Jay Psaros
  • Soul Box [RUNNER UP]
  • We Own Land

Male Vocalist of the Year  (Sponsored by Soundcheck Studios)

  • Sam Luke Chase
  • Nate Cozzolino
  • Shaun England
  • Chris Fitz
  • Joe Merrick [RUNNER UP]
  • Sam Robbins
  • Michael Spaulding
  • Sam Vlasich (of Red Sky Mary) [WINNER]

New Artist of the Year  (Sponsored by Music Go Round)

  • Amplifier Heads
  • Blacktop Strut [RUNNER UP – TIE]
  • Coral Moons
  • Left of Love [RUNNER UP – TIE]
  • Major Moment
  • Melic Moon
  • Red Reveal [WINNER]
  • Abigail Vail

Singer/Songwriter of the Year (Sponsored by Taylespun Studio Contemporary Fine Art)

  • Cara Brindisi
  • Katie Dobbins
  • Kathleen Healy
  • Mary McAvoy
  • Brian Sances
  • Hayley Sabella
  • Ilene Springer [RUNNER UP]
  • Matt Zajac [WINNER]

 Song of the Year (Sponsored by Shell Shock Acoustic)

  • Beautiful Tuesday – “Manteca”
  • Coral Moons – “Fall In Love”
  • Crooked Coast – “Summer”
  • Mark Erelli – “Her Town Now”
  • Lockette – “In the Dark”
  • Amanda McCarthy – “Tiki Bar” [RUNNER UP]
  • Parts Per Million – “No More Days” [WINNER]
  • Magen Tracy & the Missed Connections – “Dirty Little Secret”

Tribute Band of the Year  (Sponsored by Music Go Round)

  • Abraxas – A Tribute to Santana
  • The American Who – A Tribute to The Who
  • Heartbreaker – A Tribute to Led Zeppelin [WINNER – TIE]
  • Judas Rising – A Tribute to Judas Priest
  • Live Bullet – A Tribute to Bob Seger [RUNNER UP]
  • The Sickness – A Tribute to Disturbed [WINNER – TIE]
  • We Are Hydrogen – A Tribute to Phish
  • The Young Americans – A Tribute to David Bowie

 Video of the Year (Group)  (Sponsored by Seth’s Rock Report)

  • Bad Marriage – “Gateway Drug” [WINNER]
  • blindspot – “Upside Down”
  • Damnation – “Fighting For”
  • Grenon – “Goodbye” [RUNNER UP]
  • Groundlift – “Outta My Head”
  • Major Moment – “May Leave Scars”
  • Special Guests – “Spring Break”
  • The Wolff Sisters – “Drive”

Video of the Year (Solo Artist)  (Sponsored by Don Burton Media)

  • Lisa Bastoni – “Nearby”
  • Kate Eppers – “The Wishing Well” [WINNER]
  • Will Evans – “Family Tree”
  • Kala Farnham – “David”
  • Jamie Hart – “Get Closer”
  • Josh Knowles – “Same”
  • Daniel Miller (featuring Ward Hayden) – “Your Man”
  • Prateek Poddar – “The Gang’s All Gone” [RUNNER UP]

Young Performer of the Year  (Sponsored by Kokopelli Realty)

  • American Ink
  • Sam Chetkin
  • Color Killer
  • Grenon
  • Off Kilter [RUNNER UP]
  • The Nolan Leite Experience
  • Morrissey Blvd [WINNER]
  • Roll Over White
Music Award Archives, Music Awards

LIMELIGHT MUSIC AWARDS TO AIR ON YOUTUBE

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Rather than postpone this year’s Limelight Magazine Music Awards for a fourth time, we have decided to keep the date of Sunday, May 23rd, at 2 PM. However, the event will now take on a different format.

Since singing is not permitted in any indoor performance venue in Massachusetts, we have decided to pre-record the ceremony and have it air on our YouTube channel. Click HERE to subscribe to it.

While we initially considered live streaming, we wanted to have as much control over the presentation as possible. We have participated in several online streaming events during the pandemic and, more times than not, unexpected technical glitches come up, leading to the event’s postponement and usual barrage of negativity on social media.

As was previously announced, Stormstress will be hosting the event with “live” performances by nominees blindspot, Kala Farnham, Jay Psaros, and Prateek. All performers were randomly drawn from the nominees.   

Anyone who previously purchased tickets will be allowed to attend in person, watch it projected on a screen inside the Vault Music Hall in New Bedford, MA, and pick up an award if you’ve won. All Covid-19 indoor protocols for events in restaurants will be adhered to, including social distancing, face coverings, and capacity limitations. Furthermore, since seated table service must be limited for each party to 90 minutes or less, the Limelight Magazine Music Awards video will not run for more than one hour. Click HERE to purchase tickets.

(Those who purchased tickets but do not feel comfortable attending can get a refund by contacting us by e-mail at limelightmusicawards@gmail.com. Once refunded, those tickets will be made available again).

Thanks again to New Bedford City Councilor Ian Abreu and the New England Music Awards for being the primary sponsors for this event as well as Music Go Round, Athena’s by Michelle M., Boston Rock Radio, East Coast Alice – The Ultimate Alice Cooper Experience, Kokopelli Realty, Rick’s Music World, Seth’s Rock Report, Shell Shock Acoustic, Soundcheck Studios, Taylespun Studio Contemporary Fine Art, Underground Recording Co., Don Burton Media, Purchase Street Records, and the Vault Music Hall for sponsoring the individual awards.

Lastly, here is a recap of this year’s nominees:

Album/EP of the Year (Group)  (Sponsored by Purchase Street Records)

  • Bad Marriage – Bad Marriage
  • The Blue Ribbons – Thoughts and Prayers
  • The DayBreakers – Worn Out Dream
  • First Bourne – Pick Up The Torch
  • Red Reveal – Red Reveal
  • Renegade Cartel – Dear World
  • Special Guests – Alumninaughty
  • The Varsity Club – Cobblestones

Album/EP of the Year(Solo Artist)  (Sponsored by Underground Recording Co.)

  • Katie Dobbins – There is Light
  • Carissa Johnson – A Hundred Restless Thoughts
  • Brandon Manter – Off My Mind
  • Amanda McCarthy – Road Trip
  • Grace Morrison – Reasons
  • Monica Rizzio – Sunshine is Free
  • Brian Sances – All My Might
  • Jennifer Truesdale – Trough the Circle

 Band of the Year (Sponsored by Music Go Round)

  • Bad Marriage
  • Crooked Coast
  • The DayBreakers
  • The Devils Twins
  • First Bourne
  • Lily Black
  • Exit 18
  • Moment of Clarity

Country Artist of the Year  (Sponsored by Vault Music Hall)

  • Back Rhodes
  • Houston Bernard Band
  • Blame the Whiskey
  • Annie Brobst
  • Darren Bissette Band
  • April Cushman
  • Martin and Kelly
  • Carly Tefft

 Female Vocalist of the Year (Sponsored by Athena’s by Michelle M)

  • Giuliana Amaral (of Legacy)
  • Gianna Botticelli (a.k.a. Ghost Grl)
  • Kala Farnham
  • Bethany Lawson (of Plastic Angels)
  • Shonna Lee (of Payback)
  • Sarah Levecque
  • Julie Rhodes
  • Amalia Ververis (of Melic Moon)

Frontperson of the Year  (Sponsored by East Coast Alice – The Ultimate Alice Cooper Experience)

  • Nicole Marie Coogan (The Devil’s Twins)
  • Ben Cote (The Ben Cote Band)
  • Alexa Economou (blindspot)
  • Sean FitzGerald (The NB Rude Boys)
  • Carly Kraft (Coral Moons)
  • Jon Paquin (Bad Marriage)
  • James Rohr (The Blue Ribbons)
  • Jackson Wetherbee (The Elovaters)

 Hard Rock/Metal Act of the Year  (Sponsored by Boston Rock Radio)

  • Afterimage
  • Devil in the Mist
  • Heavy AmericA  
  • One Time Mountain
  • Purging Sin
  • Red Sky Mary
  • SiXteenX20
  • Verscythe

 Live Artist of the Year  (Sponsored by Rick’s Music World)

  • The Ben Cote Band
  • Bird Mancini
  • Ashley Jordan
  • Lady Lupine
  • Sons Lunaris
  • Jay Psaros
  • Soul Box
  • We Own Land

 Male Vocalist of the Year  (Sponsored by Soundcheck Studios)

  • Sam Luke Chase
  • Nate Cozzolino
  • Shaun England
  • Chris Fitz
  • Joe Merrick
  • Sam Robbins
  • Michael Spaulding
  • Sam Vlasich (of Red Sky Mary)

 New Artist of the Year  (Sponsored by Music Go Round)

  • Amplifier Heads
  • Blacktop Strut
  • Coral Moons
  • Left of Love
  • Major Moment
  • Melic Moon
  • Red Reveal
  • Abigail Vail

Singer/Songwriter of the Year (Sponsored by Taylespun Studio Contemporary Fine Art)

  • Cara Brindisi
  • Katie Dobbins
  • Kathleen Healy
  • Mary McAvoy
  • Brian Sances
  • Hayley Sabella
  • Ilene Springer
  • Matt Zajac

 Song of the Year (Sponsored by Shell Shock Acoustic)

  • Beautiful Tuesday – “Manteca”
  • Coral Moons – “Fall In Love”
  • Crooked Coast – “Summer”
  • Mark Erelli – “Her Town Now”
  • Lockette – “In the Dark”
  • Amanda McCarthy – “Tiki Bar”
  • Parts Per Million – “No More Days”
  • Magen Tracy & the Missed Connections – “Dirty Little Secret”

Tribute Band of the Year  (Sponsored by Music Go Round)

  • Abraxas – A Tribute to Santana
  • The American Who – A Tribute to The Who
  • Heartbreaker – A Tribute to Led Zeppelin
  • Judas Rising – A Tribute to Judas Priest
  • Live Bullet – A Tribute to Bob Seger
  • The Sickness – A Tribute to Disturbed
  • We Are Hydrogen – A Tribute to Phish
  • The Young Americans – A Tribute to David Bowie

 Video of the Year (Group)  (Sponsored by Seth’s Rock Report)

  • Bad Marriage – “Gateway Drug”
  • blindspot – “Upside Down”
  • Damnation – “Fighting For”
  • Grenon – “Goodbye”
  • Groundlift – “Outta My Head”
  • Major Moment – “May Leave Scars”
  • Special Guests – “Spring Break”
  • The Wolff Sisters – “Drive”

Video of the Year (Solo Artist)  (Sponsored by Don Burton Media)

  • Lisa Bastoni – “Nearby”
  • Kate Eppers – “The Wishing Well”
  • Will Evans – “Family Tree”
  • Kala Farnham – “David”
  • Jamie Hart – “Get Closer”
  • Josh Knowles – “Same”
  • Daniel Miller (featuring Ward Hayden) – “Your Man”
  • Prateek Poddar – “The Gang’s All Gone”

Young Performer of the Year  (Sponsored by Kokopelli Realty)

  • American Ink
  • Sam Chetkin
  • Color Killer
  • Grenon
  • Off Kilter
  • The Nolan Leite Experience
  • Morrissey Blvd
  • Roll Over White
Home, Music Award Archives, Music Awards, Past Winners

Limelight Music Awards rescheduled to 2021

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When we initially postponed this year’s Limelight Magazine Music Awards from April 26th to May 31st and then again to September 27th, we hoped things would have turned around regarding the Coronavirus pandemic. As we have gotten closer to the new date, the Covid-19 safety guidelines in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts have been changing on a regular basis.

To adhere to these changing guidelines, we considered various options to keep this year’s event on September 27th. However, every time we came close to deciding upon a new course of action, the state guidelines changed again. For instance, we discussed moving the event outdoors at another venue in New Bedford, but an updated gatherings order went into effect on August 11th reducing outdoor gatherings from 100 to 50 people. Further complicating matters was Rhode Island being added to the Massachusetts travel order requiring visitors arriving from that state to fill out a form, quarantine for 14-days or produce a negative Covid-19 test. There were other options we also discussed but local ordinances prevented us from carry them out.

As a result, we have decided to postpone this year’s Limelight Magazine Music Awards once again. The new date is Sunday, May 23, 2021, beginning at 2 p.m. at the Vault Music Hall, located at 791 Purchase Street in New Bedford, MA. As was previously announced, Stormstress will be hosting the event. Anyone who has already purchased tickets and holds on to them for the new date will be able to enter the venue up to 30 minutes before doors and be guaranteed seating at a table.

We know this event will now take place over a year after voting took place, but we feel an in-person event is the best way to honor this year’s nominees for their contributions to the local music scene in New England.

Thanks again to the New England Music Awards for being the primary sponsor for this event as well as Music Go Round, Athena’s by Michelle M., Boston Rock Radio, East Coast Alice – The Ultimate Alice Cooper Experience, Kokopelli Realty, Rick’s Music World, Seth’s Rock Report, Shell Shock Acoustic, Soundcheck Studios, Taylespun Studio Contemporary Fine Art, Underground Recording Co., Don Burton Media, Purchase Street Records, and the Vault Music Hall for sponsoring the individual awards.

Here is a recap of this year’s nominees:

Album/EP of the Year (Group)  (Sponsored by Purchase Street Records)

  • Bad Marriage – Bad Marriage
  • The Blue Ribbons – Thoughts and Prayers
  • The DayBreakers – Worn Out Dream
  • First Bourne – Pick Up The Torch
  • Red Reveal – Red Reveal
  • Renegade Cartel – Dear World
  • Special Guests – Alumninaughty
  • The Varsity Club – Cobblestones

Album/EP of the Year(Solo Artist)  (Sponsored by Underground Recording Co.)

  • Katie Dobbins – There is Light
  • Carissa Johnson – A Hundred Restless Thoughts
  • Brandon Manter – Off My Mind
  • Amanda McCarthy – Road Trip
  • Grace Morrison – Reasons
  • Monica Rizzio – Sunshine is Free
  • Brian Sances – All My Might
  • Jennifer Truesdale – Trough the Circle

 Band of the Year (Sponsored by Music Go Round)

  • Bad Marriage
  • Crooked Coast
  • The DayBreakers
  • The Devils Twins
  • First Bourne
  • Lily Black
  • Exit 18
  • Moment of Clarity

Country Artist of the Year  (Sponsored by Vault Music Hall)

  • Back Rhodes
  • Houston Bernard Band
  • Blame the Whiskey
  • Annie Brobst
  • Darren Bissette Band
  • April Cushman
  • Martin and Kelly
  • Carly Tefft

 Female Vocalist of the Year (Sponsored by Athena’s by Michelle M)

  • Giuliana Amaral (of Legacy)
  • Gianna Botticelli (a.k.a. Ghost Grl)
  • Kala Farnham
  • Bethany Lawson (of Plastic Angels)
  • Shonna Lee (of Payback)
  • Sarah Levecque
  • Julie Rhodes
  • Amalia Ververis (of Melic Moon)

Frontperson of the Year  (Sponsored by East Coast Alice – The Ultimate Alice Cooper Experience)

  • Nicole Marie Coogan (The Devil’s Twins)
  • Ben Cote (The Ben Cote Band)
  • Alexa Economou (blindspot)
  • Sean FitzGerald (The NB Rude Boys)
  • Carly Kraft (Coral Moons)
  • Jon Paquin (Bad Marriage)
  • James Rohr (The Blue Ribbons)
  • Jackson Wetherbee (The Elovaters)

 Hard Rock/Metal Act of the Year  (Sponsored by Boston Rock Radio)

  • Afterimage
  • Devil in the Mist
  • Heavy AmericA  
  • One Time Mountain
  • Purging Sin
  • Red Sky Mary
  • SiXteenX20
  • Verscythe

 Live Artist of the Year  (Sponsored by Rick’s Music World)

  • The Ben Cote Band
  • Bird Mancini
  • Ashley Jordan
  • Lady Lupine
  • Sons Lunaris
  • Jay Psaros
  • Soul Box
  • We Own Land

 Male Vocalist of the Year  (Sponsored by Soundcheck Studios)

  • Sam Luke Chase
  • Nate Cozzolino
  • Shaun England
  • Chris Fitz
  • Joe Merrick
  • Sam Robbins
  • Michael Spaulding
  • Sam Vlasich (of Red Sky Mary)

 New Artist of the Year  (Sponsored by Music Go Round)

  • Amplifier Heads
  • Blacktop Strut
  • Coral Moons
  • Left of Love
  • Major Moment
  • Melic Moon
  • Red Reveal
  • Abigail Vail

Singer/Songwriter of the Year (Sponsored by Taylespun Studio Contemporary Fine Art)

  • Cara Brindisi
  • Katie Dobbins
  • Kathleen Healy
  • Mary McAvoy
  • Brian Sances
  • Hayley Sabella
  • Ilene Springer
  • Matt Zajac

 Song of the Year (Sponsored by Shell Shock Acoustic)

  • Beautiful Tuesday – “Manteca”
  • Coral Moons – “Fall In Love”
  • Crooked Coast – “Summer”
  • Mark Erelli – “Her Town Now”
  • Lockette – “In the Dark”
  • Amanda McCarthy – “Tiki Bar”
  • Parts Per Million – “No More Days”
  • Magen Tracy & the Missed Connections – “Dirty Little Secret”

Tribute Band of the Year  (Sponsored by Music Go Round)

  • Abraxas – A Tribute to Santana
  • The American Who – A Tribute to The Who
  • Heartbreaker – A Tribute to Led Zeppelin
  • Judas Rising – A Tribute to Judas Priest
  • Live Bullet – A Tribute to Bob Seger
  • The Sickness – A Tribute to Disturbed
  • We Are Hydrogen – A Tribute to Phish
  • The Young Americans – A Tribute to David Bowie

 Video of the Year (Group)  (Sponsored by Seth’s Rock Report)

  • Bad Marriage – “Gateway Drug”
  • blindspot – “Upside Down”
  • Damnation – “Fighting For”
  • Grenon – “Goodbye”
  • Groundlift – “Outta My Head”
  • Major Moment – “May Leave Scars”
  • Special Guests – “Spring Break”
  • The Wolff Sisters – “Drive”

Video of the Year (Solo Artist)  (Sponsored by Don Burton Media)

  • Lisa Bastoni – “Nearby”
  • Kate Eppers – “The Wishing Well”
  • Will Evans – “Family Tree”
  • Kala Farnham – “David”
  • Jamie Hart – “Get Closer”
  • Josh Knowles – “Same”
  • Daniel Miller (featuring Ward Hayden) – “Your Man”
  • Prateek Poddar – “The Gang’s All Gone”

Young Performer of the Year  (Sponsored by Kokopelli Realty)

  • American Ink
  • Sam Chetkin
  • Color Killer
  • Grenon
  • Off Kilter
  • The Nolan Leite Experience
  • Morrissey Blvd
  • Roll Over White

Home, Music Award Archives, Music Awards, Past Winners

Sneak Peek – Nominees revealed for Limelight Music Awards ’20

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It’s Primary Tuesday, March 3rd, in Massachusetts and that means our Limelight Magazine Readers’ Poll is now open for you to vote for your favorite local musicians in 16 categories. The poll will close on Monday, March 9th, at 11:45 PM. 

We’d like to thank the New England Music Awards for coming on board as the primary sponsor for this event. We’d also like to thank Music Go Round, Athena’s by Michelle M., Boston Rock Radio, East Coast Alice – The Ultimate Alice Cooper Experience, Kokopelli Realty, Rick’s Music World, Seth’s Rock Report, Shell Shock Acoustic, Soundcheck Studios, Taylespun Studio Contemporary Fine Art, Underground Recording Co., as well as Don Burton Media, Purchase Street Records, and the Vault Music Hall for sponsoring the individual awards.

[THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION WAS POSTED 2-29-20]

We are excited to announce the nominees for this year’s Limelight Magazine Music Awards!

Unlike previous years, the nominating process has been tweaked slightly to reflect feedback from musicians and local music fans. So, instead of the ballot being decided entirely by fans, this year the nominating process was decided by music industry professionals and the general public. For two weeks in early February, we solicited nominations from local industry professionals including John Shea of Almost Famous on 95.9 WATD, Cat Wilson of The Cheap Seats, Katie Botelho of Limelight Magazine, and Adam N. Signore of Mark Skin Radio. Then, we solicited nominations from the general public for one week from February 16 to 22. The top nominees in 16 categories made the ballot.

A special, all-ages awards ceremony will be held on Sunday, September 27, 2020, beginning at 2 p.m. at the Vault Music Hall, located at 791 Purchase Street in New Bedford, MA, where the winners will be revealed. Advance tickets can be purchased online by clicking HERE.

To keep up with all of our promotions for the event, we encourage you to “like” our Facebook fan page by clicking HERE if you haven’t already done so.

Public voting starts Primary Tuesday, March 3rd at noon, and will close Monday, March 9th, at 11:45 PM. Check back here on Tuesday at noon for a link to the poll.

After voting ends, seven artists will be randomly selected from all the nominees and asked to perform at the awards show. If an artist is unavailable, we will draw again until we have seven performers. Please note that performing at the ceremony does not mean that artist has won an award.

If you have any questions, many of them will likely be answered HERE. Please take the time to read this before contacting us with any questions. If you need to reach us, e-mail the preferred means of communication. Contact us at limelightmusicawards@gmail.com.

Here are this year’s nominees:

Album/EP of the Year (Group)  (Sponsored by Purchase Street Records)

  • Bad Marriage – Bad Marriage
  • The Blue Ribbons – Thoughts and Prayers
  • The DayBreakers – Worn Out Dream
  • First Bourne – Pick Up The Torch
  • Red Reveal – Red Reveal
  • Renegade Cartel – Dear World
  • Special Guests – Alumninaughty
  • The Varsity Club – Cobblestones

Album/EP of the Year(Solo Artist)  (Sponsored by Underground Recording Co.)

  • Katie Dobbins – There is Light
  • Carissa Johnson – A Hundred Restless Thoughts
  • Brandon Manter – Off My Mind
  • Amanda McCarthy – Road Trip
  • Grace Morrison – Reasons
  • Monica Rizzio – Sunshine is Free
  • Brian Sances – All My Might
  • Jennifer Truesdale – Trough the Circle

 Band of the Year (Sponsored by Music Go Round)

  • Bad Marriage
  • Crooked Coast
  • The DayBreakers
  • The Devils Twins
  • First Bourne
  • Lily Black
  • Exit 18
  • Moment of Clarity

Country Artist of the Year  (Sponsored by Vault Music Hall)

  • Back Rhodes
  • Houston Bernard Band
  • Blame the Whiskey
  • Annie Brobst
  • Darren Bissette Band
  • April Cushman
  • Martin and Kelly
  • Carly Tefft

 Female Vocalist of the Year (Sponsored by Athena’s by Michelle M)

  • Giuliana Amaral (of Legacy)
  • Gianna Botticelli (a.k.a. Ghost Grl)
  • Kala Farnham
  • Bethany Lawson (of Plastic Angels)
  • Shonna Lee (of Payback)
  • Sarah Levecque
  • Julie Rhodes
  • Amalia Ververis (of Melic Moon)

Frontperson of the Year  (Sponsored by East Coast Alice – The Ultimate Alice Cooper Experience)

  • Nicole Marie Coogan (The Devil’s Twins)
  • Ben Cote (The Ben Cote Band)
  • Alexa Economou (blindspot)
  • Sean FitzGerald (The NB Rude Boys)
  • Carly Kraft (Coral Moons)
  • Jon Paquin (Bad Marriage)
  • James Rohr (The Blue Ribbons)
  • Jackson Wetherbee (The Elovaters)

 Hard Rock/Metal Act of the Year  (Sponsored by Boston Rock Radio)

  • Afterimage
  • Devil in the Mist
  • Heavy AmericA  
  • One Time Mountain
  • Purging Sin
  • Red Sky Mary
  • SiXteenX20
  • Verscythe

 Live Artist of the Year  (Sponsored by Rick’s Music World)

  • The Ben Cote Band
  • Bird Mancini
  • Ashley Jordan
  • Lady Lupine
  • Sons Lunaris
  • Jay Psaros
  • Soul Box
  • We Own Land

 Male Vocalist of the Year  (Sponsored by Soundcheck Studios)

  • Sam Luke Chase
  • Nate Cozzolino
  • Shaun England
  • Chris Fitz
  • Joe Merrick
  • Sam Robbins
  • Michael Spaulding
  • Sam Vlasich (of Red Sky Mary)

 New Artist of the Year  (Sponsored by Music Go Round)

  • Amplifier Heads
  • Blacktop Strut
  • Coral Moons
  • Left of Love
  • Major Moment
  • Melic Moon
  • Red Reveal
  • Abigail Vail

Singer/Songwriter of the Year (Sponsored by Taylespun Studio Contemporary Fine Art)

  • Cara Brindisi
  • Katie Dobbins
  • Kathleen Healy
  • Mary McAvoy
  • Brian Sances
  • Hayley Sabella
  • Ilene Springer
  • Matt Zajac

 Song of the Year (Sponsored by Shell Shock Acoustic)

  • Beautiful Tuesday – “Manteca”
  • Coral Moons – “Fall In Love”
  • Crooked Coast – “Summer”
  • Mark Erelli – “Her Town Now”
  • Lockette – “In the Dark”
  • Amanda McCarthy – “Tiki Bar”
  • Parts Per Million – “No More Days”
  • Magen Tracy & the Missed Connections – “Dirty Little Secret”

Tribute Band of the Year  (Sponsored by Music Go Round)

  • Abraxas – A Tribute to Santana
  • The American Who – A Tribute to The Who
  • Heartbreaker – A Tribute to Led Zeppelin
  • Judas Rising – A Tribute to Judas Priest
  • Live Bullet – A Tribute to Bob Seger
  • The Sickness – A Tribute to Disturbed
  • We Are Hydrogen – A Tribute to Phish
  • The Young Americans – A Tribute to David Bowie

 Video of the Year (Group)  (Sponsored by Seth’s Rock Report)

  • Bad Marriage – “Gateway Drug”
  • blindspot – “Upside Down”
  • Damnation – “Fighting For”
  • Grenon – “Goodbye”
  • Groundlift – “Outta My Head”
  • Major Moment – “May Leave Scars”
  • Special Guests – “Spring Break”
  • The Wolff Sisters – “Drive”

Video of the Year (Solo Artist)  (Sponsored by Don Burton Media)

  • Lisa Bastoni – “Nearby”
  • Kate Eppers – “The Wishing Well”
  • Will Evans – “Family Tree”
  • Kala Farnham – “David”
  • Jamie Hart – “Get Closer”
  • Josh Knowles – “Same”
  • Daniel Miller (featuring Ward Hayden) – “Your Man”
  • Prateek Poddar – “The Gang’s All Gone”

Young Performer of the Year  (Sponsored by Kokopelli Realty)

  • American Ink
  • Sam Chetkin
  • Color Killer
  • Grenon
  • Off Kilter
  • The Nolan Leite Experience
  • Morrissey Blvd
  • Roll Over White

FAQ, Music Award Archives

FAQ – Limelight Magazine Music Awards 2020

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After a three-year hiatus, the co-owners of Limelight Magazine have decided to bring back their music awards event with proceeds going toward the Australian Wildlife and Nature Recovery Fund. To make the process go smoothly, here are some questions that were typically asked in the past with the answers to them. Please read this over before contacting us.

When and where is the 2020 Limelight Magazine Music Awards?

This year’s Limelight Magazine Music Awards will be held at the Vault Music Hall, located at 791 Purchase Street in New Bedford, MA, on Sunday, September 27, at 2 PM. [Please note this is a new date as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.]

How long does the ceremony typically last?

The ceremony typically runs between three and four hours.

Is it all ages?

The Limelight Magazine Music Awards is an all-ages event.

Is there beer and wine?

Beer and wine is available for purchase at Vault Music Hall with proper I.D.

Is there food?

Food is available for purchase at Vault Music Hall.

Is parking free?

Street parking is free on Sundays in New Bedford.

How much are tickets?

Tickets are $10.50 in advance and $12 day of show. Please click HERE to purchase them.

How does a musician get nominated?

The nominating process is decided by music industry professionals and the general public. For two weeks in early February, we solicit nominations by e-mail from music industry professionals including John Shea of Almost Famous on 95.9 WATD, Cat Wilson of The Cheap Seats, Katie Botelho of Limelight Magazine, and Adam N. Signore of Mark Skin Radio. Then, we solicit nominations for one week (February 16-22) from the general public. Nominations can be e-mailed to limelightmusicawards@gmail.com. We only accept nominations by e-mail. Please like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/limelightmagazine to stay up-to-date.

What are the categories for the Limelight Magazine Music Awards?

The categories for 2020 are: Album of the Year (Group), Album of the Year (Solo), Band of the Year,  Country Artist of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Frontperson of the Year (NEW), Live Act of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Metal Act of the Year, New Artist of the Year, Singer-Songwriter of the Year, Song of the Year, Tribute Band of the Year, Video of the Year (Group), Video of the Year (solo), and Young Performer of the Year.

The following special awards are also presented: Legend Award (given to an artist from New England who has been around for at least 20 years and is going strong today) and Unsung Hero Award (given to a musician from New England who made a contribution in the lives of others without asking for anything in return). These are decided by the staff of Limelight Magazine.

Are there any restrictions on who can be nominated?

All musicians must currently reside in New England.

Will I be notified of my nomination?

You will be contacted by one of the co-owners of Limelight Magazine either by e-mail or through Facebook before public voting begins.

When does public voting begin and end?

Public voting runs for one week. It begins on Tuesday, March 3, at noon and ends on Tuesday, March 9, at 11:45 PM.

How many times can someone vote?   

Only four votes per I.P. address per day count. The system allows you to vote more than this but only the first four votes will count per day.

I’ve been nominated for an award, can I perform at the awards ceremony?

Up to seven artists will be randomly selected from all the nominees and asked to perform at the awards show.

I’ve been selected to perform, does this mean I’ve won an award?

Once again, you’ve been randomly selected to perform. This does not mean that you’ve won an award.

Do nominees have to pay for tickets?     

Since we have decided to donation a portion of the proceeds of this event to the Australian Wildlife and Nature Recovery Fund, everyone who attends is charged, except the musicians who are performing at the awards ceremony.

Are the musicians who’ve won an award told beforehand?

No. The winners are only announced at the awards ceremony, with the exception of the special award (i.e. Legend, Unsung Hero) recipients.

I have a gig or another commitment on the day of the music awards, can you please tell me if I’ve won?

No. Unfortunately, secrets are never kept and we abide by our own rules. If you cannot attend and no one can accept on your behalf, we will notify you on the following day and your award can be picked up at a mutually agreeable location.

I’m unable to attend the music awards ceremony. Will I find out if I won and how can I pick up my award?

The winners will be announced on our website the day after the awards show. Anyone who wasn’t in attendance can arrange to pick up the award at the Vault Music Hall on the day of one of their shows.

Can I sponsor this year’s Limelight Magazine Music Awards?

Yes, sponsorships are very affordable. Please reach out to us directly at limelightmagazine@gmail.com or jkbbooking@gmail.com for more information.

(Revised on April 25, 2020)

FAQ, Home, Music Award Archives, Past Winners

Limelight Magazine puts music awards on ‘indefinite hiatus’

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After holding eight consecutive Limelight Magazine Music Awards ceremonies, we decided to take 2017 off to self-evaluate this event. During this time, we discussed several different options and decided to put the event on indefinite hiatus because the cons outweigh the pros in hosting this event again.

As we stated last year, the Limelight Magazine Music Awards has always been a major undertaking and took a considerable amount of time to plan. It was a very successful event with increased attendance each year. The most exciting part was seeing the excitement it brought to so many local musicians, many of whom were never recognized by anyone from the New England music scene before.

Despite this fact, there was always a lot of negativity on social media that took the joy out of hosting this event each year. From being criticized for the nomination process to some musicians bad mouthing other musicians were things we never expected to see. Furthermore, it seems more readers’ polls and awards ceremonies are taking place each year and we feel there is some truth to the tongue-in-cheek bumper sticker that is sold at many record stores that says, “No More Music Award Shows.”

Lastly, we’d like to respond to some of the negative comments we received over the years. It may now seem pointless, but it may help to understand some of the reasons for our decision.

It’s a popularity contest. You should have people in the music industry make the nominations and decide the winners. (via Facebook post)

We firmly agree that every awards show is flawed. There is no perfect event because people are always involved in the process and have their own biased tastes. The Grammy’s and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, for example, are decided by industry professionals and we often hear and read about what a joke those events are. Remember Jethro Tull being nominating in the heavy metal category and winning!?! What about all the deserving acts who have been ignored for years by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame committee!?! We could go on and on, but ultimately we are proud of the process we had because it enabled many musicians to be recognized who might not ordinarily receive it.

I honestly don’t understand how disconnected an awards show can be to even let some of these bands be nominated. Some of these bands have little to no talent. This is a flat out embarrassment.  (via website comment)

You would probably say that about any local music awards ceremony. Get out to some local shows and you’d recognize some of the names on the ballot. Who knows? Maybe you’d like some of them.

I’ve been a local musician for years and that [expletive] act won over me. That band sucks. Almost everyone on the ballot sucks. (via Facebook comment)

We’re sorry you felt that way about another musician. Life isn’t fair and things like this happen all the time. At least you were recognized by your fans and made the ballot. It’s too bad you never shared the poll on your social media pages because you could have won.

The winners know in advance. I just know it! (via Facebook comment)

We still laugh about this one. The host(s) of the event didn’t even know until they received the winner’s name in a sealed envelope. If so many people knew, why were so many winners not in attendance or an acceptance speech prepared on their behalf?

OMG! You charge a $10 admission fee. That’s outrageous. (via e-mail)

Due to a lack of sponsorships (or very few of them) each year, the co-owners of Limelight Magazine funded the entire awards ceremony out of their own pockets because of their passion for music. They had to pay for rent, sound tech, online survey, awards, host stipend, marketing, credit card fees on ticket sales, and other expenses. One year the awards show generated $16 profit and that’s because our photographer and her husband bought a ticket at the door. The admission was still cheaper than a night out at the movies and you got to see seven or eight acts perform live and hang out and network with your peers.

We could respond to more comments, but this already is long enough. In closing, we’d like to congratulate all the past nominees and winners. A complete list of all the winners for over the years appears below.

8th Limelight Magazine Music Awards
@ Spire Center for Performing Arts, Plymouth, MA
Saturday, April 16, 2016

Unsung Hero Award
Shanna Jackman

Band of the Year
Flight of Fire

Live Artist of the Year
The Shana Stack Band

Album of the Year (Group)
21st Century Fugitives – Losing Time

Album of the Year (Solo Artist)
Carissa Johnson – For Now

Male Vocalist of the Year
Rob Pagnano

Female Vocalist of the Year
Amy Marie

Tribute Band of the Year
Heartbreaker – A Tribute to Led Zeppelin

Metal/Hardcore Act of the Year
Death wish

Debut Album of the Year
Matt York – Boston, Texas

Breakthrough Artist of the Year
Bad Marriage

Young Performer of the Year
Sarah Deanna

Singer/Songwriter of the Year
Michael Spaulding

Country Artist of the Year
Timmy Brown and Black Diamond

Video of the Year (Group)
Red Evans – “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”

Video of the Year (Solo)
Matthew Neves – “Today Is The Day”

Song of the Year
The Aldous Collins Band – “Bernadette”

7th Limelight Magazine Music Awards
@ Spire Center for Performing Arts, Plymouth, MA
Saturday, March 21, 2015

Legend Award
New England

Unsung Hero Award
Robin Lane

Band of the Year
The House on Cliff

Live Artist of the Year
Marianne Toilet and The Runs

Album of the Year (Group)
Dan Lawson Band – Soldiers of Fortune (tie)
The Quins – A Tale of Love and Evil (tie)

Album of the Year (Solo)
Susan Cattaneo – Haunted Heart

Male Vocalist of the Year
Walter Barlow

Female Vocalist of the Year
Jenna Lotti

Tribute Band of the Year
Beatles for Sale – Tribute to The Beatles

Metal/Hardcore Act of the Year
Along Came the Flood

Breakthrough Artist of the Year
The Dust Ruffles

Young Performer of the Year
Emily Hodges

Singer-Songwriter of the Year
Amy Fairchild

Country Artist of the Year
Shana Stack Band

Video of the Year (Group)
Singlecast – “Running to You”

Video of the Year (Solo)
Boston Catalano – “Stronger” (tie)
Joe Merrick – “Kiss Me Like It’s New Year’s Eve” (tie)

Song of the Year
The October Accord – “Better Off Without You”

6th Limelight Magazine Music Awards
@ South Shore Music, Quincy, MA
Saturday, March 22, 2014

Legend Award
Extreme

Unsung Hero Award
Ayla Brown

Service Award
Jessica Botelho

Band of the Year
Grace Morrison and the RSO

Live Artist of the Year
Bigtalkahh

Album of the Year (Group)
Beyond Blonde – Purple Rose
​
Album of the Year (Solo)
Jamie Lynn Hart – Live At Tupelo

Male Vocalist of the Year
Joe Merrick

Female Vocalist of the Year ​
Brianna Grace

Tribute Band of the Year
Forever Young (Neil Young)

Metal/Hardcore Act of the Year
Hellspeak

Breakthrough Artist of the Year
Closer Than We Appear

Young Performer of the Year
21st Century Fugitives
​
Singer/Songwriter of the Year
Krista Baroni

Country Artist of the Year
Britt Hill

Video of the Year (Group)
The Devil’s Twins – “Love and War”

Video of the Year (Solo)
Jamie Lynn Hart – “Down”

Song of the Year
Kiley Evans & Joe Merrick – “We’d Be Lying”
​
5th Limelight Magazine Music Awards
@ Rock Junction, Coventry, RI
Saturday, March 16, 2013

Legend Award
BOSTON

Unsung Hero Award
Lisa Guyer

DJ Most Supportive of the Local Music Scene
Lisa Azizian & John Shea

Band of the Year
Lisa Markovich & Beyond Blonde

Live Artist of the Year
Awesome Express

Album of the Year (Group)
Closer Than We Appear – Evaluating Expressions

Album of the Year (Solo)
Sarah Swain – Every Little Bird

Male Vocalist of the Year
Jesse Liam

Female Vocalist of the Year
Jessica Prouty

Tribute Band of the Year
The Great Escape: Tribute to Journey

Metal/Harcore Act of the Year
Bigtalkahh

Breakthrough Artist of the Year
popALERT

Singer/Songwriter of the Year
Amanda McCarthy

Country Artist of the Year
Ashley Jordan

Video of the Year
Krista Angelucci – “C R E E P” (tie)
Birch Hill Dam – “Fathom’s Below” (tie)

Song of the Year
“Wicked” by Sara Leketa

4th Limelight Magazine Music Awards
@ Firehouse 13, Providence, RI
Saturday, March 10, 2012

Legend Award
The Fools

DJ Most Supportive of the Local Music Scene
Cat Wilson

Band of the Year
Beautiful Tuesday (tie)
Jessica Prouty Band (tie)

Live Artist of the Year
Beautiful Tuesday

Album/EP of the Year (Group)
Lisa Markovich & Beyond Blonde – Showing My Roots

Album/EP of the Year (Solo)
Ray Cooke – Good Life

Male Vocalist of the Year
Louis St. August

Female Vocalist of the Year
Jamie Lynn Hart

Tribute Band of the Year
Aerochix – Tribute to Aerosmith

Metal/Hardcore Act of the Year
I For An Eye

New Artist of the Year
The Vinyl Grooves

Singer/Songwriter of the Year
Jamie Lynn Hart

Song of the Year
Kiley Evans – “Johnny Depp”

3rd Limelight Magazine Music Awards
@ Club Hell, Providence, RI
March 12, 2011

Legend Award
MASS

Band of the Year
Varsity Girls

Live Artist of the Year
York

Album/EP of the Year
Shryne – Here and Now

Male Vocalist of the Year
Craig DeMelo

Female Vocalist of the Year
Elle Gallo

Tribute Band of the Year
Ornament – A Tribute to Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Metal/Hardcore Act of the Year
Structure Fails

New Artist of the Year
The Alarming Sound

Song of the Year
Jessica Prouty Band – “Escape”

2nd Limelight Magazine Music Awards
@ Club Hell, Providence, RI
January 31, 2010

DJ Most Supportive of the Local Music Scene
Jim Stearns

Band of the Year
Shryne

Live Artist of the Year (Major)
Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles

Live Artist of the Year (Indie)
Route .44 (tie)
The Candace Brooks band (tie)
SexCoffee (tie)

Album of the Year (Group Major)
Joe Perry – Have Guitar Will Travel

Album of the Year (Group Indie)
The Candace Brooks Band – The Chase

Album of the Year (Solo)
Terry Kitchen – Summer to Snowflakes

Male Vocalist of the Year
Jon Brennan

Female Vocalist of the Year
Sarah Kollett

Tribute Band of the Year
Bon Jersey – A Tribute to Bon Jovi

1st Limelight Magazine Music Awards
@ Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River, MA
January 25, 2009

Band of the Year
The Candace Brooks Band

Live Artist of the Year (Major)
MASS

Live Artist of the Year (Indie)
Shryne

Album of the Year (Group Major)
MASS – Crack of Dawn

Album of the Year (Group Indie)
Hello Mahalo – Dawning Days

Album of the Year (Solo)
Charlie Farren – Old & Young

Male Vocalist of the Year
Justin Joyce

Female Vocalist of the Year
Candace Brooks

Tribute Band of the Year
The Great Escape: Tribute to Journey

Guitarist of the Year
Joe Grananta (tie)
Jack Lynx (tie)

Bassist of the Year
Lou Spagnola

Drummer of the Year
Todd Salpietro

Keyboardist of the Year
Steve Baker

Home, Music Award Archives

2016 Limelight Music Award Winners

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Last night’s 8th Annual Limelight Magazine Music Awards at the Spire Center in Plymouth, MA, was a complete success and we’d like to thank a number of people for helping to make this event possible. We were blessed to have singer-songwriter Jenna Lotti host the event and Chris Facey (a.k.a. Vanna White) for assisting her on stage. She kept the event moving along nicely and words cannot express how grateful we are to her for agreeing to host this year. In addition to Jenna, we were also treated to amazing performances by Munk Duane, Flight of Fire, Julia James, Peter Lavender and The Limbo Souls, Hailey Magee, MB Padfield, Jordan Renzi, and Sparrow Blue. What a line-up of musicians! Furthermore, we’d like to acknowledge this year’s nominees, the radio DJs who helped spread the word about the event, the volunteers who baked goodies, the staff and leadership team of the Spire Center, and the generosity of our sponsors (New England Music Awards, Matthew Neves Music and Rokpix by Kristen Pierson), and everyone who took the time out of their busy schedules to attend. Again, it was another a great night for the local music scene and we’re glad to be a part of it!!!

– Jay & Katie, Co-Owners, Limelight Magazine/JKB Entertainment Group

Here’s the final run down of all the nominees, including the winners and runner ups. Congratulations to everyone listed on this ballot!

Unsung Hero Award

Shanna Jackman

 

Young Performer of the Year

Sarah Deanna [WINNER]

Julia James

Brooke Leifer

Aaron Norcross Jr.

Playing With Fire

Gracelyn Rennick [RUNNER UP]

Brittany Tara

 

Tribute Band of the Year

Heartbreaker – A Tribute to Led Zeppelin [WINNER]

Hell Bent For Metal – A Tribute to Judas Priest

Judas Rising – A Tribute to Judas Priest

LoVeSexy – A Tribute to Prince

Maiden New England – A Tribute to Iron Maiden

Pretendica – A Tribute to The Pretenders & Elastica

Studio Two – A Tribute to The Beatles [RUNNER UP]

 

Live Artist of the Year

Angry Ginger

Dave Bailin & The Bailouts

The Dust Ruffles [RUNNER UP]

Heavy Necker

Johnny Hoy & The Bluefish

My Mother’s Mustache

The Shana Stack Band [WINNER]

 

Female Vocalist of the Year

Emily Hodges [RUNNER UP]

Amy Marie [WINNER]

Grace Morrison

Bethany Pierce

Jordan Renzi

Ilene Springer

Anne Stott

 

Male Vocalist of the Year

Willie J. Laws

Ed Leavitt [RUNNER UP]

Fil Pacino

Rob Pagnano [WINNER]

John Powhida

Jeff Rosen

Michael Spaulding

 

Album/EP of the Year (Group)

Autumn Above – Blessed You’re Still

Blue Cat Groove – Too Much Talk [RUNNER UP]

Fireking – Double Trouble

Peter Lavender & The Limbo Souls – Sugar

Something Sneaky – Pictures

The Something – Toughen Up

21st Century Fugitives – Losing Time [WINNER]

 

Metal/Hardcore Act of the Year

Deathwish [WINNER]

Depraved Within

Dim the Lights

Hope Before the Fall [RUNNER UP]

I Guard the Throne

Shred of Salvation

Stangler Needsa Manicure

 

Debut Album of the Year

Caroline Brennan – Leap [RUNNER UP]

Jets Can’t Land – You Can’t Linger On

The Lincoln Tunnel – Today 2.0

Outlaw in Peru – Outlaw in Peru

Rat Ruckus – Beneath the City

Sparrow Blue – Mabel

Matt York – Boston, Texas [WINNER]

 

Country Artist of the Year

Darren Bessette Band

Annie Brobst Band

Timmy Brown and Black Diamond [WINNER]

Chelsey Carter

The April Cushman Band

Brianna Grace

Martin and Kelly [RUNNER UP]

 

Breakthrough Artist of the Year

Bad Marriage [WINNER]

Blue Light Bandits

The Dirty Dottys

Christa Gniadek [RUNNER UP]

Hailey Magee

Matthew Neves

Spiritual Rez

 

Video of the Year (Group)

Cougar Bait – “Booty on the Dance Floor” [RUNNER UP]

Forest Fires – “Like Gold”

Houston Bernard Band – “Yoga Pants”

Nemes – “Everest Isle”

Red Evans – “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” [WINNER]

The Something – “Party Gun”

 

Video of the Year (Solo Artist)

Suzie Hatton – “F U Money”

Molly Pinto Madigan – “On The Hunt”

Suzanne McNeil – “Sister’s Hands”

Shanna Jackman – “We’ve Got Your Back” [RUNNER UP]

Matthew Neves – “Today Is The Day” [WINNER]

April Renzella – “The Bees”

Andrew Smith – “Steal My Girl”

 

Album/EP of the Year (Solo Artist)

Sean Coleman – Gravitation

Carissa Johnson – For Now [WINNER]

Terry Kitchen – The Post-American Century

Mary Lou Lord – Backstreet Angels

Molly Pinto Madigan – Wildwood Bride

Amanda McCarthy – AAA [RUNNER UP]

Nick Zaino – Blue Skies and Broken Arrows

 

Singer/Songwriter of the Year

Jennifer Greer

Nate Leavitt

Suzanne McNeil [RUNNER UP]

MB Padfield

Brian Sances

Michael Spaulding [WINNER]

 

Song of the Year

The Aldous Collins Band – “Bernadette” [WINNER]

Crooked Coast – “Go Back” [RUNNER UP]

The Dirty Dottys – “Not To Call”

Munk Duane – “Random Acts of Blindness”

95 Hyde – “Guts and Glory”

Suzie Hatton – “Be the One”

Sidewalk Driver – “Everybody Loves My Face”

 

Band of the Year

Black and Blue Morning

Flight of Fire [WINNER]

Marianne Toilet and the Runs [RUNNER UP – TIE]

Monkey Knife Fight

Pop Gun [RUNNER UP – TIE]

Sunshine Riot

The Complaints

 

 

Home, Music Award Archives

Nominees revealed for 8th annual music awards

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We are excited to announce the nominees for this year’s 8th Annual Limelight Magazine Music Awards. Like previous years, the nominating process was completely fan driven, with the top seven artists who received the most nominations making the ballot for that category. The only exceptions are for “Song of the Year” and “Breakthrough Artist of the Year,” which were nominated by local radio DJs (Gerg Anidem, Michael Bernier, Steve Scarpetti, John Shea and Lori Welch) who support the local music scene.

An all-ages awards ceremony will be held at Spire Center for Performing Arts in Plymouth, Mass., on Saturday, April 16, 2016, at 7 p.m., where the winners will be revealed. Advanced tickets can be purchased online at this link: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2498445. Tickets will also be available at the door on the day of show. Advanced tickets are encouraged.

Public voting begins today and ends on Friday, March 4 at 11:45 PM.

Like last year, eight artists will be randomly selected from all the nominees and asked to perform at the awards show. Performing at the ceremony does not mean that artist has won an award.

We’d like to acknowledge the generosity of the New England Music Awards, Matthew Neves Music and the Spire Center for sponsoring this event.

If you have any questions, many of them will likely be answered at this link: https://limelightmagazine.com/music-awards/faq. Please take the time to read this before contacting us.

Check out the list of nominees below and be sure to vote in our poll by clicking HERE. (Please note that while the poll will let you vote as many time as you want, only four votes are counted for each I.P. address).

Young Performer of the Year

Sarah Deanna

Julia James

Brooke Leifer

Aaron Norcross Jr.

Playing With Fire

Gracelyn Rennick

Brittany Tara

 

Tribute Band of the Year

Heartbreaker – A Tribute to Led Zeppelin

Hell Bent For Metal – A Tribute to Judas Priest

Judas Rising – A Tribute to Judas Priest

LoVeSexy – A Tribute to Prince

Maiden New England – A Tribute to Iron Maiden

Pretendica – A Tribute to The Pretenders & Elastica

Studio Two – A Tribute to The Beatles

 

Live Artist of the Year

Angry Ginger

Dave Bailin & The Bailouts

The Dust Ruffles

Heavy Necker

Johnny Hoy & The Bluefish

My Mother’s Mustache

The Shana Stack Band

 

Female Vocalist of the Year

Emily Hodges

Amy Marie

Grace Morrison

Bethany Pierce

Jordan Renzi

Ilene Springer

Anne Stott

 

Male Vocalist of the Year

Willie J. Laws

Ed Leavitt

Fil Pacino

Rob Pagnano

John Powhida

Jeff Rosen

Michael Spaulding

 

Album/EP of the Year (Group)

Autumn Above – Blessed You’re Still

Blue Cat Groove – Too Much Talk

Fireking – Double Trouble

Peter Lavender & The Limbo Souls – Sugar

Something Sneaky – Pictures

The Something – Toughen Up

21st Century Fugitives – Losing Time

 

Metal/Hardcore Act of the Year

Deathwish

Depraved Within

Dim the Lights

Hope Before the Fall

I Guard the Throne

Shred of Salvation

Stangler Needsa Manicure

 

Debut Album of the Year

Caroline Brennan – Leap

Jets Can’t Land – You Can’t Linger On

The Lincoln Tunnel – Today 2.0

Outlaw in Peru – Outlaw in Peru

Rat Ruckus – Beneath the City

Sparrow Blue – Mabel

Matt York – Boston, Texas

 

Country Artist of the Year

Darren Bessette Band

Annie Brobst Band

Timmy Brown and Black Diamond

Chelsey Carter

April Cushman Band

Brianna Grace

Martin and Kelly

 

Breakthrough Artist of the Year

Bad Marriage

Bluelight Bandits

The Dirty Dottys

Christa Gniadek

Hailey Magee

Matthew Neves

Spiritual Rez

 

Video of the Year (Group)

Cougar Bait – “Booty on the Dance Floor”

Forest Fires – “Like Gold”

Houston Bernard Band – “Yoga Pants”

Nemes – “Everest Isle”

Red Evans – “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”

The Something – “Party Gun”

 

Video of the Year (Solo Artist)

Suzie Hatton – “F U Money”

Molly Pinto Madigan – “On The Hunt”

Suzanne McNeil – “Sister’s Hands”

Shanna Jackman – “We’ve Got Your Back”

Matthew Neves – “Today Is The Day”

April Renzella – “The Bees”

Andrew Smith – “Steal My Girl”

 

Album/EP of the Year (Solo Artist)

Sean Coleman – Gravitation

Carissa Johnson – For Now

Terry Kitchen – The Post-American Century

Mary Lou Lord – Backstreet Angels

Molly Pinto Madigan – Wildwood Bride

Amanda McCarthy – AAA

Nick Zaino – Blue Skies and Broken Arrows

 

Singer/Songwriter of the Year

Jennifer Greer

Nate Leavitt

Suzanne McNeil

MB Padfield

Brian Sances

Michael Spaulding

 

Song of the Year

The Aldous Collins Band – “Bernadette”

Crooked Coast – “Go Back”

The Dirty Dottys – “Not To Call”

Munk Duane – “Random Acts of Blindness”

95 Hyde – “Guts and Glory”

Suzie Hatton – “Be the One”

Sidewalk Driver – “Everybody Loves My Face”

 

Band of the Year

Black and Blue Morning

Flight of Fire

Marianne Toilet and the Runs

Monkey Knife Fight

Pop Gun

Sunshine Riot

The Complaints

 

Music Award Archives

2015 Limelight Magazine Music Award Winners

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We’d like to thank everyone involved with last night’s 7th Annual Limelight Magazine Music Awards. The performances by John Fannon and Hirsh Gardner of New England, Blue Cat Groove, Cardboard Ox, Cold Engines & Sarah Blacker, Christa Gniadek, Ashley Jordan, Jenna Lotti, Most Dangerous Men Alive, Seth Newton and Ilene Springer were amazing! A big shout out to all of the nominees, the entire staff of the Spire Center for Performing Arts, the radio DJs who helped promote the event, the generosity of our sponsors (Cannery Music Hall, Carmela’s Restaurant, Mamma Mia’s Restaurant, Rokpix by Kristen Pierson, and Tiny & Sons Auto Glass Repair), and the capacity crowd that attended. We’d also like to extend our sincere gratitude to singer-songwriter Ashley Jordan for hosting the event and for being such a positive person to work with and Kenzie Klem for assisting Ashley on stage. Again, it was such a great night for the local music scene. A run down of all the nominees, including the winners and runner ups appears below.

– Jay & Katie, Co-Owners, Limelight Magazine/JKB Entertainment Group

Legend Award

New England

Unsung Hero Award

Robin Lane

Young Performer of the Year
As We Know It (RUNNER UP)
Black Diamonds
Dogtown
Coda Sky
Conundrum Nine
Joey Grieve
Emily Hodges (WINNER)
Aaron Norcross, Jr.

Tribute Band of the Year
Beatles for Sale – Tribute to The Beatles (WINNER)
Bikini Whale – Tribute to B52s
Gun Powder Gelatine: Tribute to Queen
Let It Bleed – Tribute to The Rolling Stones
Pretendica – A Tribute to The Pretenders & Elastica
Stormbringer – Tribute to early Deep Purple
Welcome to the Jungle – Tribute to Guns N Roses (RUNNER UP)
Young Rust – Tribute to Neil Young

Metal Act of the Year
Absense of Despair
All For Blood
Along Came the Flood (WINNER)
False Images
On Your Deathbed
Protean Collective
Revisions
Without Warning (RUNNER UP)

Country Artist of the Year
Kate Cameron
Matt Casey
Ben Cesare
Brianna Grace (RUNNER UP)
Alec MacGillivray
Katie Perkins
Mariah Rose
Shana Stack Band (WINNER)

New Artist of the Year
Angry Ginger (RUNNER UP)
Cardboard Ox
Cold Engines
Dionysus Park Ranger
The Dust Ruffles (WINNER)
Jones River Band
Shell Shock
Wild Surfaces

Live Act of the Year
The Copacetics
Mindset X
The Quins
Sidewalk Driver
The Sleepeaters
Smith & Weeden
Marianne Toilet and The Runs (WINNER)
21st Century Fugitives (RUNNER UP)

Singer-Songwriter of the Year
Emily Correia
Amy Fairchild (WINNER)
Jeff Gobush
Jake Hill
Leighann Alexandra Hodgkins
Esmeree Skye
Monica Rizzio
Jennifer Teft (RUNNER UP)

Song of the Year
Bim Skala Bim – “Buses, Boats. Plabes, Trains & Taxis”
Crooked Coast – “Loose Tooth”
Christa Gniadek – “You”
Jenna Lotti – “Medicine”
The October Accord – “Better Off Without You” (WINNER)
Hayley Sabella – “February”
Sex Coffee – “What It Takes” (RUNNER UP)
We Own Land – “Life”

Female Vocalist of the Year
Petrina Foley
Jen Kearney
Jenna Lotti (WINNER)
Molly Pinto Madigan
Alissa Musto
Bethany Pierce (RUNNER UP – TIE)
Ilene Springer (RUNNER UP – TIE)
Lisa Yves

Male Vocalist of the Year
Walter Barlow (WINNER)
Paul Horton
Joe Macey
Bruce Macksoud
Seth Newton (RUNNER UP – TIE)
Michael Spaulding (RUNNER UP – TIE)
Carlin Tripp
Mark Whitaker

Album of the Year (Group)
Bees Deluxe – Trouble In Paradise
Blocks of Seven – Outta Nowhere
Haunt the House – Jack Rabbit Jones
Dan Lawson Band – Soldiers of Fortune (WINNER – TIE)
Rula Bula – Townies
Erin Harpe & The Delta Swingers – Love Whip Blues
The Quins – A Tale of Love and Evil (WINNER – TIE)
We Were Astronauts – Artificial Light (RUNNER UP)

Album of the Year (Solo)
Krista Baroni – The Alabaster Girl (RUNNER UP)
Susan Cattaneo – Haunted Heart (WINNER)
Mark Erelli – Milltowns
Jane Fallon – Tangled in a Tree
Dan Masterson – Learn To Live
My Silent Bravery (Matthew Wade) – Diamond From Coal
Jeff Root – The Pig in the Python
Carlin Tripp – Back To The Soil

Video of the Year (Group)
Aurora – “Changing Winds”
Parsonsfield — “Let The Mermaids Flirt With Me”
A Simple Complex – “Felo-de-se”
Singlecast – “Running to You” (WINNER)
Special Guests – “What You Do To Me”
Trophy Wives – “I’m Gonna Make You Famous” (RUNNER UP)
War Games – “Mountains (Acoustic)”
Weld Square – “Rip That Sucker Off”

Video of the Year (Solo)
Boston Catalano – “Stronger” (WINNER – TIE)
Sam Chase – “Nebraska”
Jessie Chris – “Chameleon”
Munk Duane -“Some Rivers”
Jenna Lotti – “Red Line Love” (RUNNER UP)
Jilly Martin – “Kiss Somebody Tonight”
Joe Merrick – “Kiss Me Like It’s New Year’s Eve” (WINNER – TIE)
Andrew Smith – “Pop”

Band of the Year
Blue Cat Groove (RUNNER UP)
Closer Than We Appear
Didn’t Planet
Elephants of Scotland
The House on Cliff (WINNER)
Karma and the Truth
Most Dangerous Men Alive
The October Accord

Advertisement - Click on the above image to purchase tickets!
Advertisement – Click on the above image to purchase tickets!

Music Award Archives

New England to receive Legend Award

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New England
New England

New England will receive the Legend Award at this year’s seventh annual Limelight Magazine Music Awards ceremony that will take place at the Spire Center for Performing Arts in Plymouth, Mass, on Saturday, March 21, 2015.

Hailing from Boston, Mass., New England is a four-piece rock band that features John Fannon (guitar and vocals), Hirsh Gardner (drums and vocals), Gary Shea (bass), and Jimmy Waldo (keyboards and vocals). The band broke out of the local music scene in 1979 with the release of their self-titled debut album, New England, on Infinity/MCA Records. It was produced by Mike Stone and Paul Stanley of KISS and contained the Top 40 single “Don’t Ever Wanna Lose Ya.”

After touring extensively throughout most of 1979, they released their second album Explorer Suite in 1980 and their third album Waking Wild in 1981. The band also spent a lot of time on the road, touring with bands such as AC/DC, Journey, Kiss, Rush, among others. They eventually broke up due to a lack of support from their record label.

While New England reunited for a few short sets since then, they performed their first full length concert since 1983 at the Regent Theatre in Arlington, Mass., on August 15, 2014. They are now gearing up for the release of their first new album in over 30 years and are ready to start a new chapter in their career.

“We’re really excited to present this special award to New England this year,” said Jay Kenney, who co-founded Limelight Magazine in October 2006. “I had the opportunity to see New England perform live at their reunion concert last summer. People came from all over the United States and the rest of the world to see them. They are a talented band who will finally be recognized for their stellar musicianship and great songwriting skills.”

The Legend Award is presented annually to a band or musician from New England who has been around for at least 25 years and is still going strong today. Past recipients of this award include Extreme (2014), BOSTON (2013), The Fools (2012) and MASS (2011).

The Limelight Magazine Music Awards honors bands and musicians from New England who were selected by readers of the magazine in an online poll. This year’s event will be hosted by singer-songwriter Ashley Jordan, of Harvard, Mass. Performers scheduled to appear include Blue Cat Groove, Cardboard Ox, Cold Engines, Christa Gniadek, Jenna Lotti, Most Dangerous Men Alive, Seth Newton and Ilene Springer.

The Spire Center for Performing Arts is located at 25 ½ Court Street in Plymouth. The venue has a full bar and homemade goodies will be available for sale.

Tickets for the awards show are $10.50 in advance and $13 day of show. They can be purchased online HERE.