2008 Winners
For Best Rock Artist:
Headlights
Headlights is an indie-pop/rock band hailing Champaign-Urbana. The band came into being when former Absinthe Blind members Erin Fein and Brett Sanderson formed a short-lived guitar-less band, Orphans, after the break up of their former band. Soon after the formation of Orphans, Tristan Wraight (who had been touring as a guitarist with Maserati) joined Fein and Sanderson and began songwriting. In the spring of 2004, Headlights was born. The band’s first release was The Enemies EP (2004), and their first full-length album, Kill Them With Kindness, was released in August 2006. Headlights has been received very warmly across ... Full profile (new window) »
For Best Folk/Americana Artist:
Angie Heaton and the Gentle Tamers
Representing some of the best folk rock music the Champaign-Urbana scene has to offer is Angie Heaton. As a former member of Liquorette, Corndolly and Tractor Kings, Heaton is nothing new to the area. Debuting in 1991, Heaton and others first played in the band Corndolly. A couple of years later, shortly after disbanding Corndolly, Heaton and some of the past members of Corndolly created a new band called Liquorette . The band only came out with one album called When You Work I Sleep in 1997. Since these past projects Heaton has been recording as a solo artist and ... Full profile (new window) »
For Best Jazz Artist:
Jazz Sandwich
Jazz Sandwich is Jazz group from Urbana. The band offers a unique outlet for all five talented musicians to push the creative envelope. The band consists of Jesse Brown, a.k.a. "Yellow Mustard," on base, Jeff Helgesen, a.k.a. "Toasted Wheat Bun," on trumpet, Josh Quirk a.k.a. "Hot Relish," on drums and Tom Paynter, a.k.a. "TOMato, " on flute, keyboard and any other items he chooses to make music with. Jazz Sandwich was started by a few friends who wanted to get together and just play music. No singular style. No boundaries. No rules. Their first shows were ... Full profile (new window) »
For Best Heavy/Punk Artist:
Alleyway Sex
Alleyway Sex has been a big part of the local punk scene since 2004. Incorporating elements of ska, reggae, hip hop, and hardcore into their own blend of punk, they have been able to maintain a steady following in the local scene. They have shared the stage with national touring acts such as Leftover Crack, Mustard Plug, and The Dickies, as well as regional superstars Trike, Evil Empire, and Agents of Change. They have been featured on a number of compilation albums as well as put out a split record with Carbomb Lottery. They continue to play locally and ... Full profile (new window) »
For Best Blues Artist:
Kilborn Alley Blues Band
The Kilborn Alley Blues Band is a ferocious young band receiving tremendous national and international attention. The band has played at many fests including the Chicago Blues Festival, The Cincinnati Blues Festival, The Heritage Blues Music Fest in West Virginia, The Bucks County R&B Picnic in Pennsylvania, the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival in Iowa, the Budweiser Illinois Blues Festival, the Hot Licks Blues Festival in Ohio, Summer Camp and the Beluga Nights Summer Music Series in Fairbanks, Alaska. Kilborn Alley Blues Band is Andy Duncanson on vocals and guitar, Joe Asselin on harmonica and backing vocals, Ed O'Hara on drums ... Full profile (new window) »
For Best Hip-Hop Artist:
Krukid
Edwin “Krukid” Ruyonga, born and raised in Uganda, East Africa, is a respectable force on the C-U hip-hop music scene. Krukid, who cites Nas, Grafh, Jay-Z, and Saigon among his influences, began his musical journey back in Uganda, when he formed a group called the Urban Thugz with friends and won a nationwide competition in 2000. Since his arrival in the United States in 2002, Krukid has won the Chicago Urban League Mic Check Contest’s Best Emcee Award and has been nominated for the C-U Local Music Award’s Best Hip Hop/R&B act. His debut album “Raisin in the ... Full profile (new window) »
For Best Producer/Engineer:
Mark Rubel
Mark Rubel has made about a thousand records since 1980 at his Pogo Studio in Champaign IL. He has recorded Hum, Alison Krauss, Adrian Belew, Luther Alison, Henry Butler and many others, including work for RCA, Capitol, Warner, Jive/Zomba, etc. Mark belongs to ASCAP, the Audio Engineering Society, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the Music and Entertainment Industry Educator's Association, Society of Professional Audio Recording Studios, and is former vice president of the Engineering and Recording Society. He is a member of the Grammy Producers committee as well as the NARAS Producers and Engineers Wing and Education ... Full profile (new window) »
For Best DJ:
DJ Bozak
DJ Bozak graduated from the University of Illinois in 2003 with a degree in Industrial Design. He has been a mainstay of the local dj scene for years. Since his start in 1996 he has cleaned up at local dj championships, utterly disrupted the airwaves with the now defunct (but classic)Needledrops radio show on WEFT 90.1 FM for 8 years, held successfull residencies at nearly every bar, club, cafe, or lounge in the area, and has been voted the areas best DJ for three years in a row at the annual Buzz Music Awards. He has played from as far out as ... Full profile (new window) »
For Best Singer/Songwriter:
Kayla Brown
Singer-songwriter Kayla Brown’s work is all over the Champaign-Urbana local music scene. In past years, she has performed with acts Feaze and Desdemona, and is currently writing songs, singing, and playing the guitar for Darling Disarm along with Mike Ingram (guitar/backing vocals), James Treichler (percussion) and Tyler “Big Cat” Bundy (bass/backing vocals) since spring 2007. Brown also recently completed her first solo tour of the Northeastern portions of the Midwest in January. Her style is described as straightforward, without unusual melodies in her music. To listen to a sample of Kayla Brown, cruise on over to myspace.com/kaylabrownmusic for her solo ... Full profile (new window) »
For Best New Artist:
Snowsera
Since their inception in 2006 at the University of Illinois campus, Snowsera has played at dozens of venues throughout the Midwest, including many in the Champaign-Urbana area. The band’s sound is a unique blend of distorted bass, ambient guitar and catchy melodic vocals. In the summer of 2007, the members of Snowsera produced and recorded their own self-titled EP. In December of 2007, Troy Michaels of the News Gazette selected the EP as one of his favorite ’07 local releases They continue to gain new fans through their energetic live shows and raw talent. Band members include Bill Arteaga – lead ... Full profile (new window) »
For Album of the Year:
The Delta Kings
Starting in 1993, The Delta Kings were already tearing up the Champaign music scene with their distinct blues/rock sound. After many practices and gigs in random roadhouses and bars, the band decided to record their first LP. The result of those six hours in a dining room turned studio was the beginning to the band’s first full length album, "Damn Thing Bites," released in 1997. Now, with a total of six albums released, the band is continuing to rock out at Central Illinois’ finest roadhouses, biker bashes, and festivals, though without guitarist Kenny McNichols who quit the band in early ... Full profile (new window) »
For Best Live Performance of 2007:
Snowsera
Since their inception in 2006 at the University of Illinois campus, Snowsera has played at dozens of venues throughout the Midwest, including many in the Champaign-Urbana area. The band’s sound is a unique blend of distorted bass, ambient guitar and catchy melodic vocals. In the summer of 2007, the members of Snowsera produced and recorded their own self-titled EP. In December of 2007, Troy Michaels of the News Gazette selected the EP as one of his favorite ’07 local releases They continue to gain new fans through their energetic live shows and raw talent. Band members include Bill Arteaga – lead ... Full profile (new window) »
For Best Student Band of 2007:
Underpaid Packy
Underpaid Packy has been on the Champaign scene for the past year and a half. With an upbeat blend of rock, folk, jazz and funk style grooves, this five man band consistently delivers great shows and memorable times. Recent achievements for the band include winning best student band at the 2008 WPGU Local Music Awards and the April 4th release of their debut album "Tales From a Fifth Street Roof." ... Full profile (new window) »
