2023 RI Music Awards
It’s time to again celebrate local with one of Motif’s favorite annual gatherings: The RI Music Awards. Save the date for 6:30pm on March 20 at FMH, with food from Refuel Catering.
Although we’re the smallest state, RI has a never-ending supply of fantastic music spanning all genres. We seem to be post-COVID, at least as far as live music coming back is concerned, and we can’t wait to celebrate spring and reemergence with our diverse music community.
Along with the awards ceremony, which will be hosted at the legendary venue Fête Music Hall, there will be food, drinks and live music, so please save. Performances by School of Rock, Appala’s Eclipse, Vudu Sister, FINE. and more, along with photos, interviews, wacky hijinks and more will create a memorable evening. The event is sponsored by FMH and R1 Indoor Karting.
No matter whom you select in each category, we feel it’s important to recognize and appreciate just how much creativity, vitality and talent is represented in our area. Many of these acts have promising futures ahead, and it is always a joy to see how music from this state evolves and captivates ears and hearts, locally and sometimes worldwide.
To all the musicians, venues, labels and audiophiles in RI, we salute you, and we hope you can join us for the celebration!
See the FB event page – help us with head count by telling us if you plan to come!
See the results of the 2022 Music Awards
How are nominees and winners chosen? Here’s a deep dive into the process. From Nominee to winner is pretty straightforward — readers and members of the public vote (limit one per person please)
See a video from the event last year
The 2023 Nominees are here for your review, with links:
Americana
Favorite Act
The Huntress and Holder of Hands
World Music
Favorite R&B Act
Chelley Knight and The Dope Things
Julie Rhodes & The Electric Co.
Favorite Small – Medium Venue
10 Rocks
Alchemy
Askew
Chan’s
Dusk
Galactic Theatre
Music Mansion
News Cafe
Nick-a-Nees
Pump House
The Narrows
The Parlour
Favorite Live Act
Favorite Country Act
Jake Hunsinger & The Rock Bottom Band
Favorite open mic –
Askew
The Jam @Dusk
Java Madness Open Mic hosted by Al Keith
Pump House Music Works
The Mediator Stage
The Parlour
Favorite Singer/Songwriter
Favorite Vocalist
Favorite Bluegrass Band –
Favorite Jazz Act:
Dan Moretti & The Hammond Boys
Tom Caspar
Favorite Concert Photographer-
Ken Abrams
Lisa Gourley
Rick Farrell
Small Frye Photography
James Lastowski
Favorite Blues Act
Julie Rhodes & The Electric Co.
Mark Cutler & The Men Of Great Courage
Favorite Choral Act
Chorus of Westerly
Collegium Ancora
Mixed Magic Theater Exult Choir
Newman Church Choir
Providence Gay Men’s Chorus
Providence Singers
RI Civic Chorale
Voices United Mixed Chorus
Favorite Folk Act
Street Band/Brass Band/Marching Band (Mobile)
The Scruffy Aristocrats Brass Band
Large Instrumental Ensemble (Stationary)
Narragansett Bay Symphony Community Orchestra
Favorite Festival
Burlesque ‘n’ Roll at Dusk
Levitt Amp Woonsocket
Rhode Island Folk Festival
River Bend East Songwriters Festival
Shiza Fest
Warren Folks Fest
Blackstone River Theater Solstice Festival
Favorite Album
Becca Neveu – I’m In There Somewhere
David Robinow – We had a Good Run
Eastern Medicine Singers – Medicine Singers
Jake Hunsinger And The Rock Bottom Band – Wrapped Around The Axle
Maddie McGill Band – Surrender
Wm. Gorman – Plague Under The Portico
Favorite Music Video
Keith Munslow: Mama Is My Paparazzi
Alternative
Favorite Act
Favorite Jam Band
Indie Rock
Favorite Alt/Rock Live Act
David Tessier and the All-Star Stars
Favorite Reggae Act –
Favorite SKA Band
Favorite Garage Band
Favorite Noise Band
Favorite Pop-Punk Act
Favorite Punk Act
Favorite Hardcore Act
Favorite Metal Act
Favorite PROG / Emo Act
Favorite Cover Band
The Carson Daily
Catnip Junkies
Heavy Rescue
Loose Screws
Nickel Jukebox
Quick Hits
St. Joe and The Dorms
Take It to the Bridge
Wicked Rhode
Favorite Tribute Band
19th Nervous Breakdown – Rolling Stones
Funky Submarine – The Beatles
Green Sabbath – Black Sabbath
Hey 19 – Steely Dan
Violin River – Grateful Dead
Looks That Kill – Motley Crue
Mystic Dead – Grateful Dead
Paranoid Android – Radiohead
The Winehouse Project – Amy Winehouse
Favorite Alt/Rock Vocalist
Stim Bot
Breakthrough act –
Favorite Album
Bochek – Tightly Clung To Love
The Smoke Breaks – White Hot Electric Daddy
Sourpunch – Meet Me At The Bar
Convinced Friend – Convinced Friend
Favorite Karaoke Night
The Ave
Chan’s
DiFesa Club
Flat River Tavern
The Hot Club
JJ’s
The Parlour
T’s Town Pub
Favorite Alt Festival
Celebrating Mike Schiavone NonProfit Memorial Benefit
Punks For Pets
PVD Fest
PVD Metal Fest
Revival Fest
Shiza Fest
Favorite Sound Person
Brendon “Low B” Bjorness-Murano
Dan Baldwin
Erik Gharaee
Jamie Doyle
Jerome O’Neal
Kris Hansen
Marty “Moose” Sherlock
Sammy D’Ambruoso
Steve Domenici
Vinnie Bellows
Favorite Promoter
Brendon “Low B” Bjorness -Murano
Carl Lavin
Chance Haki
Danielle Tellier
Michael Panico
Mike Carp
Mike Delehanty
Noah Donnelly
Rob Duguay
Tom Weyman
Electronica:
Favorite Hip Hop Act
Favorite Hip-Hop Album
Toad and The Stooligans – Devil’s Nectar
Breakthrough Hip Hop Act
Favorite DJ
Dr. Corey Young
Desiree Renegade
Dj Houseparty
DJ ShureLive
DJ Slick Vick
DJ X
EL1XIR
Nick Bishop
Pauly Danger
Ty Jesso & John O’Leary
Favorite Dance Night
Discotech (@ The Parlour)
Dyke Night (@ The Salon)
Freedom Friday (@ The Parlour)
Glitter: Disco Night (@ Askew)
POW! Indie Dance Party (@ Dusk)
Island Saturdays (@Alchemy)
Favorite Electronic Act:
Baby Baby Explores the Reasons Why That Gum Is Still on the Sidewalk
Gothic / Post-Punk Act: