MAMA 2016 Celebrates Modesto Music
By Chris Murphy
The Modesto Area Music awards were fantastic. Modesto celebrated over a dozen different genres of music from Indie to Rap, Acoustic to Metal and Classic Rock from cover bands to Rockabilly. There was truly something for everyone.
What was on display was the talent in the Modesto-area region that has made live music a cornerstone for our culture. We have seen bands from our area go global and this community celebrated together. Modestan’s Chris Murphy and Chris Ricci founded the MAMA Awards in 2000 celebrating just six categories of awards and now there are 22 categories ranging from musicians to venues and events.
There were very touching moments as the MAMAs as the late Ryan Russell was remembered with an amazing video, song performance by Patty Castillo Davis and Eli Lester and followed up with a touching award in the memory of Ryan Russell to his wife Tara by fellow musician Chris Doud. Ryan’s brother performed later in the show in his band the Randy Mandy Band playing Ryan’s vintage Gibson SG.
The MAMAs celebrate a lifetime achievement award called the Super Mama that was presented to the band Silvermoon for over 40 years of live performances all over the world and for their charity work here in our community since 1976. Drummer Barry Day accepted the award on behalf of the band from Modesto Bee publisher Ken Riddick. Silvermoon, comprised of the same members since the beginning played a medley set that got the capacity crowd on its feet.
There were classic moments as bands like the California 99’ers took home the MAMA for best Rockabilly band. Kirby Sisco had once performed with Rockabilly pioneer Rose Maddox of the Maddox Brothers and Rose, who invented Rockabilly in Modesto in 1938.
The show opened with the beautiful sounds of nominee Mattea Overstreet and then lead into a performance by the Youth Band Zero Gravity. There are other great performances by The Ultra Lounge, Sworn to the Black, Marirose and the Gypsies, Comedian AJ DeMello, The Echoing, hip hop artist Kevin Geeh, punk band Brokedown Wasted, Rockbilly Polyester Wags, rockers When We Become Kings and reggae band Honey B and the Cultivation. The show concluded with a rocking tribute to Prince.
A new Music Video category for 2017 was announced with the presentation of a video by Mick Rubalcava and singer-comedian Lloyd Templeton called “Make Cruising Legal” it will be great to see the new entries for 2017.
The MAMAs had their first Facetime acceptance speech from Mike Vanek, who was on tour with the Moonshine Bandits in Seattle and has recently relocated to Tennessee.
The big announcement of the night is that the MAMAs will become a 501 c 3 non-profit and will take a bigger role as an advocate for live music, artist development and promotion of Modesto-area music. This will include a new MAMA record label that will be based at the ModSpot on J St that will include a live performance area. MAMA-winning music promoter Middagh Goodwin will take the lead role in the new non-profit.
Nearly 5000 people voted for the 2016 Awards and the crowd at the State Theatre celebrated and respected all types of music, all of the radio stations were there and our musical community celebrated as one.
For More info. www.modestoareamusic.com
For Photo Galleries and updates www.facebook.com/modestoview
For more info about the MAMA Association and how to get involved, Chris Murphy chrism@modestoview.com
Here is a complete list of the winners.
Modesto Area Music Awards
2016 Winners
2016 MAMA Awards
Best Pop Rock
The Hot Dark
2016 MAMA Awards
Best Metal Rock
Sworn to the Black
2016 MAMA Awards
Best Alt-Indie Rock
Blindfold
2016 MAMA Awards
Best Americana
Patty Castillo Davis Band
2016 MAMA Awards
Best Jazz & Blues
Rob Hill Band
2016 MAMA Awards
Best Rockabilly
The California 99’ers
2016 MAMA Awards
Best Unplugged
Dan Vallerand
2016 MAMA Awards
Best Reggae Band
A La Lune
2016 MAMA Awards
Best Youth Band
Bed Heads
2016 MAMA Awards
Best Rock Band
Painting Chaos
2016 MAMA Awards
Best Blue Collar
Chains Required
2016 MAMA Awards
Best Live Music Promoter
Mike Vanek 209 Productions
2016 MAMA Awards
Best Punk Band
Brokenote Undertone
2016 MAMA Awards
Best Latin Band
Texas Funk
2016 MAMA Awards
Best Comedy
Jimmie Menezes
2016 MAMA Awards
Best Café/ Restaurant
Queen Bean
2016 MAMA Awards
Best Live Music Venue
Gallo Center for the Arts
2016 MAMA Awards
Best Large Event
Stanislaus County Fair
2016 MAMA Awards
Best Small Event
Modstock
2016 MAMA Awards
Best DJ
DJ Monster Mack
2016 MAMA Awards
Best Urban
Oscar Goldman
2016 MAMA Awards
Lifetime “SuperMAMA”
Silvermoon
