Milwaukee, WI (Top40 Charts/ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) Milwaukee R&B / soul band
Kings Go Forth took top honors for artist of the year and album of the year at the 31st Wisconsin Area
Music Industry Awards, held Sunday night at Turner Hall Ballroom. The band's lead singer,
Black Wolf, also was named male vocalist of the year.
The Kings' competition in the artist of the year category included "American Idol" contestant Danny Gokey, Milwaukee bands the Wildbirds and Jaill, Madison's Bascom Hill and Eau Claire's Bon Iver.
The WAMI organization also inducted three musicians into the WAMI Hall of Fame: pioneering punk band Die Kreuzen; the late Tom Petty bassist, Howie Epstein; and composer John Harmon.
Here are the 2011 WAMI winners:
Artist: Kings Go Forth
Album: Kings Go Forth, "The Outsiders Are Back"
Song: Bodeans, "Stay"
Female vocalist: (tie) Heidi Spencer; Sara Moilanen
Male vocalist: Black Wolf
New artist: The Ragadors
Rising star: Katie Lafond
Alternative artist: (tie) Jaill; the Wildbirds
Americana artist: West of East
Bluegrass band: .357 String Band
Blues artist: Alex Wilson Band
Christian/gospel artist: Saved by Grace
Country band: Nashville Pipeline
Cover band: Half Empty
Hard rock/metal band: World Minus One
Jazz artist: Jerry Grillo
Polka band: Jerry Schneider Band
Pop artist: Ethan Keller
Hip-hop/rap artist: Fresh Cut Collective
R&B/soul artist: Tristan Royalty Squad
Reggae/world/ska band: Unity
Rock artist: the Sandcarvers
Swing/big band: Big Mouth and the Power Tool Horns
Tribute band: 5 Card Studs
Bass player: Rick LaJeunesse
Drummer: Del Bennett
Guitarist: Greg Koch
Keyboard player: Jimmy Voegeli
Reeds/brass player: Al Groth
Specialty instrumentalist: Allen Cote
Print/electronic media: The Shepherd Express
Producer: Justin Perkins
Radio station: WYMS-FM 88 Nine Radio Milwaukee
Recording studio: The Exchange
Music venue: Linneman's Riverwest Inn
People's Choice Award (state regions):
Northeast: Half Empty
Northwest: Tuck Pence
Southeast: Rabid Aardvarks
Southwest: Pat Watters Band
