Every so often a band garners enough national attention to remind music lovers of the talent that lurks behind the orange curtain. No Doubt, Social Distortion, most recently, Foster the People. So it’s curious there was never an award ceremony honoring said talent until 2002, when visionary Martian Brown started the OC Music Awards.
“The OC Music Awards helps to activate a sense of community within the local music scene and industry,” says Ashley Eckenweiler, founder of the show’s producer, The Ace Agency.
Now in its 11th year, the OCMAs have changed hands three times passing from Brown to Luke Allen and now to Eckenweiler’s Ace Agency, although its goal has remained the same.
“The (OC Music Awards) has always had a mission and vision to provide opportunities and exposure for local musicians through recognition of talent,” Eckenweiler says.
The first show took place in Santa Ana at the Galaxy Concert Theatre (recently rechristened The Observatory). There were just 14 categories and a disgruntled death metal band pulled out after they were lumped in the rock category.
Now the award show has grown exponentially with 24 categories and counting. “Last year we added the categories of Best Youth and Best Music Video,” Eckenweiler says.
The list of categories has also grown to include a People’s Choice Award and two live performance categories for Best Live Band and Best Live Acoustic. Showcases are one of the best ways the OCMAs give local bands exposure, with the nominees competing in showcases held at different local music venues in the weeks leading up to the ceremony.
“In [the beginning] the showcase series was not as involved as it is now – not as many dates – not as many venues,” says Eckenweiler.
The series, which featured nine showcases this year, spotlights local musicians and gives OC Music venues a boost as well.
“The showcases are always great because they are always packed and there is always a really good crowd,” says Spencer Askin, lead singer and guitarist of Best Live Band and Best Indie Band nominee The Gromble.
Beyond the exposure there is also the positive recognition local musicians receive as award winners.
“Making music is usually a selfish thing,” says Eddie Breckenridge, bassist for this year’s OC Impact Award winner, Thrice. “You write the music that you want to write and what sounds good to you. So it’s really cool when people share that and like what you’re doing.”
And the show itself continues to grow with DPS Productions spearheading the event staging and lighting at the March 3 award show at the City National Grove of Anaheim.
“We plan to have a more visually stimulating and dramatic show,” Eckenweiler says.
So what does the future of the OCMAs look like?
“OC Music Awards will continue with its mission and growth. We see more awards categories, more partnerships, potential broadcast opportunities for the show,” says Eckenweiler. “The future looks bright.”
And the Winners Are…
Social Distortion took home Best Album for its recent effort Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes.
Young the Giant was awarded Best Song and Best Music Video for its breakout hit “Cough Syrup.” The group also received the award for Best Alternative.
The much-buzzed about Jeramiah Red was awarded Best New Artist and Best Blues.
Best Pop went to the masked bandits of The Aquabats.
Orange County Impact Award winner Thrice also took home Best Rock.
Best Indie went to Kiev, which closed the OCMAs with a special 3D performance.
Best Country/Americana went to Nicole Vaughn (who graciously thanked her parents for letting her live at home for free) and Her Lovely Band.
Best Folk went to Micah Brown.
Best Club DJ went to DJ Thrifty Lips.
Best Electronic went to Free the Robots.
The avant-garde siblings of BLOK were awarded Best Hip-Hop.
Best Live Band winner Railroad to Alaska also claimed the award for Best Metal.
Best Live Acoustic went to Allensworth.
Boogaloo Assassins got Best Latin.
Nancy Sanchez got Best Jazz.
The Adolescents stopped in to pick up Best Punk before playing The Observatory in Santa Ana the same night.
Best Surf went to The Growlers.
Best World to The Dirty Heads.
Best Youth went to the young gentlemen of Ugly Paint.
People’s Choice was Fusion Beat.
Last but certainly not least, the Lifetime Achievement Award went to radio personality Rodney Bingenheimer, most notable for his work on the long-running radio show, Rodney on the ROQ on 106.7 KROQ.
