That’s (Cincinnati) Entertainment (Awards)

On Nov. 19, hundreds of local musicians and music fans packed the lower bowl at the Taft Theatre for the Cincinnati Entertainment Awards. The event’s 11th annual fiesta/ceremony was probably the best attended music program in CEA history, with the usual mix amusing acceptance speeches, drunken heckling, superb musical performances from some of Cincinnati’s finest musicians and … a creepy dancer dressed in a white cat costume, rolling around on an exercise ball (I’m still trying to figure out what that was all about).

Over the Rhine opened the show with a short set, which featured some great Jazz-like interplay between the quartet and a swelling noisescape crescendo that seemed to win over even some of the Indie hipsters and Punk Rock rascals. A fervent, free jam freak-out from Over the Rhine? That’s one of the coolest things about the CEAs — the surprises and revelations.

It’s always fun to hear the lubricated musicians’ acceptance speeches. Rumpke Mountain Boys were down a member when they won Bluegrass — “Jason (Wolf, banjoist) is the bathroom. I bet he wished he was here.” Jason then made a mad dash  to the stage at the last second and gave the crowd a heart “Wooo!” Honky Tonk/Rockabilly band Straw Boss was gigging, so when they won the Country award, a random gentleman near the front row simply staggered up on stage and accepted on their behalf. Kim Taylor’s adorable son accepted her award for Singer/Songwriter, being fed lines from his dad, who was hoisting him up to the podium (he ended with, “And anything else you want to add … What? That’s what my dad said!”).

Ryan Malott of 500 Miles to Memphis was also in the bathroom when his band won the Rock award. Veteran lap-steel player David Rhodes Brown accepted for the band, remarking — as most did — about the strength of our city’s music scene. Mallott came on stage at the last minute and said he couldn’t think of anyone better to accept — “I’m glad I had to piss,” he said. Ska/Reggae group The Pinstripes won the World Music statue and trombonist Chap Sowash told the crowd he never thought playing the trombone would get him anything “but pushed into lockers.” When Wussy won Album of Year for their Left for Dead album, Chuck Cleaver said that when the band started, people asked why he would play in a band with “novices” — “This is fucking why,” he said, defiantly.

Speaking of Wussy, they also played a great, energetic two-and-a-half song set that culminated with a soaring version of  the coda from “Atlantis” by Donovan, bringing out friends and bandmates from 7 Speed Vortex, Messerly & Ewing and The Fairmount Girls to sing back-ups. Bad Veins did a great three-song set, transferring their orchestral-via-backing-tracks sound well in the big room. Buffalo Killers rumbled the ground and no doubt caused a few ’60s flashbacks with their stellar Psych Pop set. Tropicoso closed the night, filling the big stage with their huge ensemble and Latin music mastery, which featured a couple pairs of salsa dancers and incited a little “salsa pit” going on in front of the stage. And Angels of Meth tore the roof off with a blistering set of their Sabbath-meets-’80s-Hard-Rock sound. As their hair bounced to the boogie, I was starting to believe what someone yelled as the Metal/Hard Rock statue was being awarded — “Metal rules this scene!”

Yes, the omnipresent “Sponsored by Scion” mentions were a bit overbearing (the recorded “skits” and giant Scion emblem on the big stage curtain seemed inappropriate and the crowd seemed to agree). And there was a tinge of sadness throughout, with memorials and tributes to new Hall of Famer, recently deceased Blues legend H-Bomb Ferguson, Michael Bany (the late local bassist whose memorial scholarship fund is the recipient of the money raised at the CEAs) and Chris Walker, who is still working towards recovery after a very serious auto accident recently. Kelly Thomas awarded the Rivertown Music Club recording grants to Liz Bowater, Junior Revolution and Straw Boss, with each award ($500 towards a recording project) being named in honor of late local musicians Red MacCormack, Brad Andress and Sam Nation.

But the warmth in the room whenever a troubled or deceased musician was mentioned is a big part of what the awards show is all about (even the drunk hecklers were respectful). Our local music scene does indeed often resemble a family and CityBeat is proud to be a part of this annual family reunion.

(photos: Keith Klenowski)

— Mike Breen

Comments

[Euro60]

I was at the event last night. I'm not a musician or anything, just a fan of our local music scene. What tempted me to attend this was the stellar line-up of bands performing at the event. I mean, OtR, Buffalo Killers, Bad Veins and Wussy all on one bill? Just outstanding, and they all put on great sets. Just ask yourself: how many other Midwest cities could put on a line-up of local bands of that caliber?

I was also impressed how well the event was organized. It started right at 8, and clipped along nicely. The only 'down time' to the point of becoming irritating were the remarks by Michael Bany's brother. Okay, it's a great cause, and yes, Michael is missed, but it all felt very self-serving, and hey, do you wanna do another shout-out for WNKU while you're at it? (He only did it like 5 times or so.)

That aside, great event all around. Congrats to the organizers and thumbs up to CityBeat for its involvement with the CEAs and with the local music scene in general.

[Kip]

I had a blast last night...being away for a while, it was very heartening to see my old scene bigger and stronger than ever. It was also really great to see a lot you guys still playing after all these years...Dana, Jeremy, Paul M. and so many others. You all look great!

Dan and CityBeat did a great job!

I am so glad to be back and am looking VERY forward to joining in the musical mayhem once again. I couldn't help but feel the supportive, collaborative, almost nurturing vibe last night (save for those heckling fucks in the back...).

Thanks for your coverage Mike.

[Jon]

I found it a bit disappointing that alot of those hecklers were either bands that had been nominated and/or won, or their friends/groupies around them.

[Mark E. Bany]

The only 'down time' to the point of becoming irritating were the remarks by Michael Bany's brother. Okay, it's a great cause, and yes, Michael is missed, but it all felt very self-serving, and hey, do you wanna do another shout-out for WNKU while you're at it? (He only did it like 5 times or so.)This was copied & pasted from the asshole who doesn't have a clue of what & why I might have said at the show. If saying thanks to all the great beleivers in local music and what an awesome show CityBeat puts on, then "excuse" me!!! I never did a "Shout-out" to WNKU 5 times, or ever(too bad I missed one, WNKU deserves it). If you were really listening to what I said, I was giving thanks to CityBeat, the VIP Patrons, Buddy Rogers Music, EO Music and to all the people who really care about my cause to remember my brother, Michael. Does this person have any clue what it's like to get a call at 3:00 in the morning to hear that your brother has been shot in the head. It is extremely hard for me to get up on any stage & talk about Michael. I hate it. But, I do it anyway as a way to somehow get some self-healing and do something positive out of something so negative. Here's my address: The Michael W. Bany Music Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 43008, Cincinnati, Oh 45243. Whoever this nameless jerk is I don't want your $$$ from the ticket you bought for the show, which goes to help young aspiring musicians & make Cincinnati a better place to live. Send your donation to the Metropolitan Sewer District instead, so it can be happy with where your head's at. Keep Movin On' and again, another shout-out to CityBeat for being such great people!!! Mark E. Bany

[mr K]

High School Popularity Contest

[Kristy]

There were seemingly endless WKNU (and CityBeat and Scion) shout outs. Mark Bany was nowhere near the biggest offender. It was more like he was getting choked up and starting back in his notes in a higher spot than before he left off. He did look super uncomfortable up there. But I think Scion wins for most intrusive sponsor. The curtain logo was quiet, at least. Next year, please no sketches.