The 2017 Worcester Music Awards, held on April 12, was a celebration of music and community that showcased the best performers of Worcester. Sponsored by Pulse Magazine, E.L. Music, Joe’s Albums, Union Music, Little Caesars and Budweiser, the event took place at the notable Cove Music Hall, was hosted by Kevin Barbare and featured performances by James Keyes, Amanda Cote, Zack Slik, A Ton of Blues, Michael Kane and the Morning Afters, and Tequila Bonfire.

“Tonight we celebrate the talent of Worcester,” said Paul Giorgio, president of Pagio, Inc., which publishes Pulse. Giorgio then spoke about the many strides that Worcester is making, “[The] Renaissance of the city is due to the people in this room.”

Prior to the award ceremony, the community nominated musicians. Nominees with the most votes garnered a finalist spot, and the public voted on a winner from the list of final nominees. A third party site, Survey Monkey, then tallied the votes resulting in the winners of the Worcester Music Awards.

Jason Paulino took home two awards that night. He won Best CD for his work Reflection of Memories and was also awarded Best Male Vocalist. The Great Escape, for which Paulino is frontman, won an award for Best Tribute Band. Paulino was humbled and surprised by the recognition he received at the WMAs, saying he was “not expecting that. Not at all.” Born and raised in Middlesex, Paulino has been playing in Worcester since he was 13. The Great Escape, a Journey tribute band, has been together for nine years, and while Paulino enjoys stepping into the persona of a rock star every night, he has also been focusing on writing his own songs and performing his own music, “so people know me for me.”

As for the future of his music, Paulino wants to keep people smiling with his performances as he strives for artistic recognition. “I’m a little too old to think that rock stardom will knock at my door, but I want to be famous some way before I pass,” he said.

Dan DeCristofaro, amember of the popular band Blue Light Bandits, which won Best Music Video for “Mess You Make Me,”  said Blue Light Bandits started seven years ago when the four members were still in high school. As the group progressed and defined their style they soon realized that they had an R&B style to their sound, which, according to DeCristofaro, was, “The most easy and natural thing to play for us.” While the Worcester scene is full of variety, DeCristofaro said R&B is not something usually found in the city, and, as a result, the Blue Light Bandits found a niche sound.

When asked if being niche was hard to do in Worcester, DeCristofaro answered, “It hasn’t been hard; it’s been enjoyable to add that to the music scene.”

DeCristofaro tipped his hat to Ricky Duran for adding a more pronounced blues sound to the Blue Light Bandits. Duran was also a nominee of the night and won an award for Best Solo/Acoustic Act. For Duran, music has always been in his blood. In 2011, Duran graduated from Berklee College of Music. He described his musical style as pop with a blues twist and finds inspiration by listening to other artists, in his life experiences and through meeting other musicians. As far as writing his own pieces, Duran said, “I like really old blues, but I tend to write more pop with a little blues.”

The Promise is Hope won Best Up & Comers Act and Best Pop Act. This unique folk duo is comprised of a husband-and-wife team, Eric and Ashley L’Esperance, who have been performing together for four years. Being a couple who works together every day and tours together could present challenges, but Eric and Ashley have learned that establishing good boundaries is key to being happy on and off stage together.

“We really love playing together. I think most couples would have killed each other by now, performing and touring, but we really love it,” Ashley said, adding “We’re feeling more and more appreciated [in Worcester].”

Matthew Wade, of My Silent Bravery, was nominated for Best Pop Act. The roots of his career as a musician go back to his time as an athlete. Wade had a sport injury and experienced challenges throughout the healing process. That life experience resonated with Wade and inspired him to help others. He saw music as the best catalyst to helping others through their own difficulties, and at 18, Wade wrote a song which was featured on the hit TV show One Tree Hill. Wade defines his style as “Alternative pop rock with an inspirational message.”

A Ton of Blues also performed at the WMAs and won Best Blues/R&B Act. Formed in 2010, the band features Mike Kelly as the lead singer, Scott LeBlanc on guitar, Jeff Lorenzon on bass guitar, James Thomas on drums, and “Shakey” Steve on harmonica. This is the seventh year in a row that the group has won an award at the WMAs. James Thomas’s music students are always excited when their teacher wins an award. Meanwhile, the group joked that the first time that “Shakey” Steve held one of the awards, he dropped it on stage, broke it, and had to repair it with crazy glue.

Self-proclaimed veterans of the Worcester music scene, the men have witnessed many changes taking place in the city, both good and bad. The band members said the city’s decreasing number of venues that feature live music has hurt local musicians. Born and raised either in the city or the surrounding areas, the men have established a dedicated fan base. Thomas described the band’s universal appeal: “We play from the heart. People love that. They latch onto it.”

Leaving Eden, featuring the musical talents of Eve, Ryan Manning and Eric Gynan, won for Best Hardcore/Metal Act and Best Rock Act. Leaving Eden has a huge fan base in Worcester but has also toured throughout the United States and Europe. One of the group’s greatest achievements has been to record with the legendary Johnny K, who worked with 3 Doors Down. Eve spoke about the misconception of touring, “People think it is glamorous, touring. People think it is all drugs and rock and roll, but it is hard work.”

Along with a clear emphasis on music, the Worcester Music Awards also focused on the community and those who have sought to improve the city in which they live or perform.

Charlene Arsenault received the WMA’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Arsenault has used her love of writing and music to help raise thousands of dollars for the Sterling Animal Shelter through the Pet Rock Festival, named after Arsenault’s band Pet Rock.

“It means a lot to be honored at a time when you question your self-worth and relevancy,” Arsenault said.

For Arsenault, Worcester was an easy place to become a professional musician. “For some reason, it was not hard to do that around here. I just sort of fell into everything. I think it is this area. It is really receptive and welcoming.” For Arsenault, her family inspires her music and writing, while animals inspire her charity work. She said writing, music and animals are three passions that she has been able to foster throughout her long career. Arsenault joked, “Those were the only things I was good at. I sucked at everything else.”

Chris Reddy, a longtime employee of Pulse and organizer of the WMAs, was awarded a surprise Lifetime Achievement Award by Paul Giorgio. Reddy took the stage to thank the audience and said, “It’s very fulfilling and I love the people who support me when I play with Invisible Sun, my solo gigs or with Dr. Robert.”

This year marks the 11th Worcester Music Awards, which Reddy has helped orchestrate every year, “All the acts are great. Every year people come and play their hearts out,” Reddy said, noting the impact music has had on his own life. “(It’s) always something that I’ve loved. Calms me down. Keeps me sane.”

The WMAs brought musicians of every genre and audience members of diverse backgrounds together for a night of celebration and creative expression for a night full of energy and surprises.

Sloane M. Perron

Audra Brackett contributed to this article. Special thanks to The Cove Music Hall for hosting the Worcester Music Awards. Pictures courtesy of Matt Wright Photography.