Share
Regional favorite Simplified was named Best Rock Band at the third annual Charlotte Music Awards Thursday at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center's Booth Playhouse.
Charlotte's Tsunami Wave Riders picked up the trophy for Best World Music. Donna Duncan received Best Blues Artist. The band's frontman Clee Laster collected the Best Male Vocalist award. Mount Holly's Jeff Luckadoo received the award for Best Country Artist. Ida Divine was named Best R&B Artist. Breakout Band was Lyra Shines, whose Julia Bullock also picked up the award for Best Female Vocalist.
Best Gospel Artist went to vocal quartet the Jones Brothers. Other winners included McKeve (Best Hip-Hop Artist), Bobby Ray (Best Singer-Songwriter), Mike Soden (Best Club DJ), and The Groove Masters (Best Jazz Artist).
Additional SonicBids artist awards were given to Charlotte's Cagle & Nash (Best R&B Group), Charleston's Daniel D (Best Jazz Artist), Cornelius' Cici Jansen (Best Country Artist), and Phoenix's Matt Annecharico (Best Pop Artist). “Jiberish” rapper DRE' Money received the Producer's Choice Hip-Hop Award. Fourteen-year-old pop singer-songwriter Jaz received the Junior Charlotte Music Award for Best Pop Artist. Harding University High School's Marching Band of Gold was named Best Marching Band.
Jody Sullivan, Julia Dixon, Jared Stamey, Al Gardner, and the NC Music Hall of Fame all received special recognition. Lifetime Achievement awards were given to James Foxx and James McGill.
Other non-artist awards are: “The Carolina Promoter” (Best Publication), WEND 106.5's Divakar (Best Radio DJ), Studio East (Best Recording Studio), Puckett's Farm Equipment (Best Small Live Venue), and Blocktoberfest (Best Charlotte Festival).
