About the Awards

WPGU-FM 107.1, buzz Magazine and the217.com are proud to present a new take on our fifth annual salute to Local Music. This year, we're taking out the awards and reinforcing our celebration of the vibrant art community in Champaign-Urbana. This event is all about exposing our listeners and readers to the great music scene here.

The spotlighted artists we'll feature online and at the live event represent any one part of a diverse local music scene. And while not everyone can be highlighted at a three-hour event, this show is meant to honor all the hard-working musicians in Champaign-Urbana, and to bring all of us together for an evening of good fun and great music.

In order to carry the evening along (and to prove that we're not taking ourselves too seriously), we will be asking for your help to select a few fun categories to be highlighted live on April 9. They will include:

  • Best use of Leather
  • Meanest Band
  • Band with the Oldest College Student in it.
  • Band that has the most revolving members in it thru the years.
  • Coolest Band Name
  • Hardest Name to say or spell (band or individual)
  • Most Likely to get arrested for speeding to get to a gig because they are running late.
  • Sharpest Dressed Band or individual
  • Band to help you get through a break-up
  • ... and several more!

"Award" winners will be determined solely by a simple majority vote of WPGU listeners and buzz readers. Voting will be conducted from Thursday, March 12 until Thursday, April 2. Winners will be announced at the awards show on Thursday, April 9 at the Highdive.

To help you make your decision, the buzz and on WPGU will have special coverage during March to help listeners and readers get acquainted with local artists.

Tune in, pick up the buzz, and check out the rest on the217.com.

See you at the show!
WPGU, buzz and the217 staff

Local Music Awards 2009 change direction

9:00 pm Feb 23 - by Elle Destree – the217.com Producer, and Joe Lamberson – WPGU Program Director, and Tommy Trafton – buzz Editor in Chief

It's no secret that the Local Music Awards have become a source of controversy over the last few years. The event, now in its fifth year, was originally created to bring local musicians and music fans together and celebrate the strength and talent of our scene. As of late, there have been a number of objections that Illini Media, as an organization, has considered. We have read the message boards, opened your e-mails and seen the comments on the217.com, and they have resonated. As a media organization, one of the best things we can do is respect and respond to our audience. We have no intention of creating barriers between ourselves and our readers or listeners. We take everything you say into consideration, and this ... Continue Reading Story »