MAMA 2016
By Chris Murphy
Music in Modesto is an amazing thing.
We have so much musical talent, so much variety and a community that is really special. It was really special to celebrate 17 years of the Modesto Area Music Awards last month. There are few cities that rival what we have in terms of music, the variety, the creativity and the flat out hard working musicianship that we see nearly every day. Our huge thanks goes out to the MAMA team that put this show together and donated their time and effort and thanks to the State Theatre.
This is a treasure Modesto. We need to embrace, celebrate, support and encourage our local musicians, from the time that they start learning how to play in school band, with a music teacher to the day they do their first gig or even later, headline the Fillmore and tour the USA. All of that has happened with Modesto bands and on October 11, at the State Theatre we celebrated. Over 23 music awards were given that were chosen by the voters. The MAMAs recognized the hardworking band Silvermoon, celebrating their 40th year. There was a moving tribute to the late Ryan Russell whom we lost too soon. We celebrated Modesto’s own music, Rockabilly, and we honored the bands of the next generation with a youth award. From singer songwriters, metal to classic Americana, Modesto came together to support our local musicians and venues. On behalf of Chris Ricci and myself, thank you to the Modesto music community. You are fantastic.
Please check out www.facebook.com/modestoview to see the picture from the Red Carpet and the full show.
