“I’ll probably be in bed all day tomorrow, but this was one of the best nights of my life.” ~ Shane Lavoie, music fan. Photo by Jenn Russo

Our 6th Annual Worcester Music Awards were, without question, the biggest, best, and sexiest yet.  Staying true to our mission, shining a [spot]light on Worcester County’s amazing music scene and all the people who contribute to its diversity and success ~ from the bands, solo artists, and DJs to the fans, local venues and radio stations ~ continues to create an annual event that, although a competition, is really just a huge celebration of something all of us in Worcester County have in common:  a love of music and our local music scene.  This year there were a lot of new names in the nominations and on the winners’ list alongside some of the area’s most recognizable names ~ and we were thrilled to see a whole bunch of new faces in the crowd the night of the Awards.

Now, we couldn’t do the Awards without each and every one of you who nominated and then voted for your favorites in all the different categories and who helped spread the word about this year’s event.  The WMAs truly are a collaboration ~ and in addition to thanking all the fans and all the local musicians for giving us a reason to celebrate, there are some other important people we want to thank as well.  First, we were so lucky that Mr. Celim Lahoud was gracious enough to host the event at the magnificent Biblos Lounge at Union Station. Next, without our generous sponsors ~ Budweiser Beer, Immedia Sound, Celestial Effects, VERO Concepts, JLS Design, Music Go Round, City Music, Miraculous Creations, NEGB1, and Union Music ~ the Awards would not have been possible. We couldn’t have asked for a better host than the lovely Ms. Patrice Peris, and the evening’s live performers ~ DJ Flirt, Gamble & Burke, Cougar Bait, A Ton of Blues, and Herra Terra ~ provided a killer soundtrack for the night… and FlashHouse Studios was there to photograph all the festivities as only they can.

And last but not least, we send a huge shout-out to Mr. Paul Giorgio, our publisher and President of Pagio, Inc, and to Justin Perry, Chris Reddy, Katey Khaos, Mike Moore, Erik Carlson, Lara Dean, Josh Lyford, and Jenn Russo for pulling the entire show and this cover story together.

And now, since a picture is worth a thousand words, here are some of the best photos of the night ~ along with a list of the winners and some quotes from the bands and audience members.  Enjoy ~ and we’ll see you next year when Pulse Magazine presents the 2013 Worcester Music Awards!!!

2012 Worcester Music Awards Winners

BEST BLUES/R & B: A TON OF BLUES
www.atonofblues.com,
www.facebook.com/pages/A-Ton-of-Blues, www.myspace.com/atonofblues

BEST LOCAL ACT WHO MADE IT BIG:  DROPKICK MURPHYS
www.dropkickmurphys.com,
www.myspace.com/dropkickmurphys,
www.facebook.com/DropkickMurphys

BEST CD:  TRUE BY LORI DIAMOND AND FRED ABATELLI
loridiamond.net,
www.facebook.com/LoriDiamondMusic

BEST CLUB DJ:  DJ FLIRT
www.facebook.com/DJFLiRtxo,
www.rockdahousedjs.com/flirt

BEST COUNTRY/AMERICANA:  GREAT WHISKEY REBELLION
www.thegreatwhiskeyrebellion.com,
www.myspace.com/thegreatwhiskeyrebels, www.facebook.com/thegreatwhiskeyrebellion

BEST COVER/TRIBUTE BAND:  FLOCK OF ASSHOLES
www.flockofassholes.com,
www.myspace.com/flockofassholes

BEST FEMALE VOCALIST:  LORI DIAMOND
loridiamond.net,
www.facebook.com/LoriDiamondMusic

BEST MALE VOCALIST: TYLOR MONROE OF SCARECROW HILL
www.myspace.com/scarecrowhill,
www.facebook.com/pages/Scarecrow-Hill

BEST HARDCORE/METAL ACT: THURKILLS VISION
www.thurkillsvision.com,
www.myspace.com/thurkillsvision,
www.facebook.com/pages/Thurkills-Vision

BEST JAM & GROOVE ACT:  SOULSTICE
www.myspace.com/soulstice

BEST JAZZ ACT:  NIKI LUPARELLI & THE GOLDDIGGERS
www.nikiluparelli.com, www.facebook.com/NikiLuparelliAndTheGoldDiggers

BEST LIVE ACT: HERRA TERRA
www.herraterra.com,
www.facebook.com/HerraTerraBand,
www.myspace.com/herraterra

BEST LIVE VENUE:  TAMMANY HALL
www.tammanyhalllive.com,
www.myspace.com/tamhall

BEST UP AND COMERS ACT: THE RIVER NEVA
www.myspace.com/theriverneva,
www.facebook.com/pages/The-River-Neva

BEST POP ACT:  CAVES ON MARS
www.myspace.com/cavesonmarsband

BEST PUNK/POP-PUNK ACT:  SCAN THE SKY
www.facebook.com/scanthesky

BEST RADIO DJ:  JEN CARTER OF WXLO
www.wxlo.com/showdj.asp?DJID=15869

BEST RAP/HIP-HOP ACT:  JEBEDIA
www.myspace.com/jebediamusic

BEST ROCK ACT: PROSPECT HILL
www.myspace.com/prospecthill,
www.facebook.com/ProspectHillMusic,
prospecthillmusic.com

BEST SOLO/ACOUSTIC ACT:  SAM JAMES
www.myspace.com/samjamesmusic,
www.facebook.com/samjamesmusic,
www.samjamesmusic.com

LOCAL BAND YOU’D MOST LIKE TO SEE REUNITE:  AFFLICTION
www.myspace.com/affliction2006

SEXIEST MUSICIAN:  LILY OF TIGERLILY
tigerlilyband.com,
www.myspace.com/tigerlily

MUSIC STATION MOST SUPPORTIVE OF LOCAL ACTS:  THE RIVER 92.5 FM
www.wxrv.com,
www.facebook.com/925theriver

BAND WITH THE BEST GROUPIES:  FLOCK OF ASSHOLES
www.flockofassholes.com,
www.myspace.com/flockofassholes

BEST COVER ART:  AFTER ALL BY SCARECROW HILL
www.myspace.com/scarecrowhill,
www.facebook.com/pages/Scarecrow-Hill

BEST LOCAL MUSIC FESTIVAL:  MUSICFEST @ WACHUSETT MOUNTAIN
www.wachusett.com/EventsActivities/CalendarofEvents/MusicFest

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT:  CARTER ALAN
www.facebook.com/carteralan,
wzlx.radio.com/shows/carter-alan-2

LEGENDS AWARD:  JAMES MONTGOMERY
www.jamesmontgomery.com

“Music is a moment and the time is ours.” ~ Ari Charbonneau, Singer from Ariband, nominated for Best Female Vocalist. Photo by Justin Mayotte
I was amazed by the caliber of talent that we have here! ~ Patrice Peris Hostess of the evening and Director of Bristol Recording and Voice Studios-Metro West. Photo by Justin Perry
“It is an awesome time to support local music, have some fun and party. We’re going to have a little after party at my place.” ~ Chest Rockwell of Cougar Bait, the evening’s third performer and nominee for Sexiest Musician and Band with the Best Groupies. Photo by Jenn Russo
“It was madness that you couldn’t expect and if you miss it then you’re an a**hole and you better go next year.” ~ Kaz Gamble of Gamble & Burke, the second performers of the night. Photo by Justin Mayotte
“I love you, Mom.” ~ Yamil Melendez, vocalist, Thurkills Vision, winner of Best Hardcore/Metal Act. Photo by Justin Mayotte

 

 

“I feel like I just watched the movie Titanic and I didn’t know the ending.” Niki Luparelli of Niki Luparelli and the Gold Diggers, winner of Best Jazz Act and nominee for Sexiest Musician. Photo by Jenn Russo
“Where the f**k did all of these people come from?” ~ Tara Danelius, music fan. Photo by Justin Mayotte
“We were up against some great competition and we still made it. To celebrate I’ll probably go have another Guinness.” ~ Mike “Spud” Kelly of A Ton of Blues, the fourth performers of the evening and winners of the Best Blues/R & B Act. Photo by Justin Mayotte

 

“I love it when people get excited for the music, I want to connect with as many people as possible.” ~ DJ Flirt, Winner Best DJ and the first performer of the evening. Photo by Justin Perry