NAIRMA AWARDS at Yost Theater, Anaheim
By: Heather Vandemark
The inaugural NAIRMA ( North American Independent Rock Music Awards) was held at the Yost Theater in Anaheim.
The North American Independent Rock Music Association is a California based corporation is devoted to the growth and development of independent musical artists in the genre of rock. The Association’s primary objective is to support The Foundation for a Solution, a non-profit corporation designed to provide grant funding to independent artists who desire continued music education or require assistance in funding projects which would provide them with future opportunity.
A few names that walked on the Red Carpet to show their support were Ministry, Lizzie Borden, Endeavor, and Balance of Power.
Don Jamieson, the host of That Metal Show was the MC.
Performances by Screaming for Silence, Act of Defiance, Varna, City of the Weak, Seek Irony, Aghori, Element a440, and Drowning Pool closing out the night with 7 song set.
And the winners are……
Nothing More received four awards . Outstanding Vocalist, Outstanding Producer, Outstand Song ( Jenny) Outstanding Video ( Jenny).
When accepting the award for Outstanding Vocalist, lead singer, Jonny Hawkins accepted his award and thanked his elementary teacher for not letting him in the choir, because he didn’t have a good voice.
The song “Jenny” won Outstanding song and Outstanding Video. Jenny is a song about Hawkins sister who deals with mental illness.
Outstanding keyboardist
Frank Sacramone – Earthside
Outstanding Bassist
Billy Sheehan _ The Winery Dogs
Outstanding Drummer
Mike Portnoy – The Winery Dogs
Outstanding Guitarist
Chris Broderick of Act of Defiance
Outstanding Female Fronted Group
Iwrestledabearonce
Outstanding Male Fronted Group
Fear Factory
People’s Choice Award
Varna
Outstanding Unsigned Artist
Earthside
Outstanding Live Performance Unsigned
Element a440
Outstanding Live Performance Signed
Fear Factory
Outstanding Song Unsigned
“The King is Crowned”
Screaming for Silence
Outstanding Album Unsigned
Tech N Roll
Seek Irony
Outstanding Album Signed
Genexus
Fear Factory
Lifetime Achievement Award – Brian Slagel
Brian Slagel is the CEO and founder of Metal Blade Records. Slagel is well known for giving Metallica their first break in 1982. Other Metal Blade Records bands include Slayer, Armored Saint, GWAR, Flotsam and Jetsam, Corrosion of Conformity to name a few.
A few words from Jeffrey Totten – President of North American Independent Rock Association after the event:
“We have a year to plan for the next one and in the interim I would like to encourage each of you to involve yourself in the Association and more importantly the Foundation. We’ve managed to accomplish some great things as a small organization… imagine what we can accomplish together and with numbers.”
“From the educational phase and creating opportunities for emerging artists to acknowledging the creative and technical accomplishments of the more seasoned veterans. This is not a celebration of “the” industry, but a celebration of OUR industry… one that celebrates Rock, Hard Rock, Metal, Punk, and Hardcore music but more importantly one that celebrates being independent.
In regard to those in attendance, the 2016 NAIRMA Awards were amazing!!!
To see a room full of veterans not only interacting with but encouraging the youngsters was all I could have ever hoped for, and there are no words that can describe how that made me feel.”
