2. Stacy Lukasavitz - Writing Sample - Event Preview Article
Detroit Music Awards prove that music
still keeps Detroit on the map
(Originally published at Detroit Unspun on April 13, 2010.)
Motown. Detroit Rock City. Whether it’s Bob Seger or Aretha Franklin, Kid Rock
or Eminem, the musical beat has always been the lifeblood flowing through the
veins of this city. Despite the layoffs, despite the bad press of “drive by
journalism,” despite the political scandals, there is one area where Detroit,
Michigan is still seen as the epicenter of cool — its music scene.
While some may be attempting to “party
like rockstars” elsewhere in the area this
Friday, the real rockstars of Detroit will be
gathering downtown in the Fox Theatre
District at The Fillmore (formerly State
Theatre) for the biggest night of their year –
the 19th Annual Detroit Music Awards.
Leading the pack with a dozen nominations
this year is singer/songwriter and multi-
instrumentalist Carolyn Striho, best known
for her past work with punk legend Patti
Smith and fronting the Detroit Energy
Asylum. Her nominations include
Outstanding Vocalist, Best Instrumentalist,
and for her latest CD, Honesty.
Although her musical résumé includes collaborations with some of the most
legendary names in music, that only seems like a sound check — Striho’s
recognition is finally coming to center stage at this year’s DMAs. Her only prior
3. Stacy Lukasavitz - Writing Sample - Event Preview Article
DMA was in the 1990s for Best Miscellaneous
Instrumentalist.
Detroit Unspun was able to obtain an
exclusive interview with Striho, where we
discussed the importance of these awards.
“The DMAs are important for the region,” said
Striho , “With all the layoffs, all the bad press
we get, we can do the DMAs and still show the
world that Detroit is music.”
Kathy Vargo, marketing manager for the
Detroit Music Awards and partner at music
publicity firm On the Rocks Detroit, agrees.
“Detroit musicians work harder and generally
get paid less and recognized less than anyone else in Detroit, and they’re so
talented,” said Vargo, “we have an ongoing mission to show the awesome talent
here in this area, and that you don’t have to pay an arm and a leg for great
entertainment, as you can go to any venue in the region and see a great band
for as little as $10, or even free.”
Despite the hard times, Striho, who regularly tours Europe, strongly feels that
Detroit is still on the map, especially musically.
“In Europe they think the world of Detroit musicians,” Striho said, “They have a
great reverence for us, and we take it for granted. . . it’s cliché, but when things
go bad, people tend to think ‘Who needs art and music?’ We do. Detroit is still
the barometer for a lot of things that go on in the world, the country, the music
scene, and it’s important that we show that.”
Vargo says she thinks Detroit is ready for its next “big breakout” musician.
4. Stacy Lukasavitz - Writing Sample - Event Preview Article
“I think it’ll be Ty Stone. He’s recording with Kid Rock and is his protégée,” said
Vargo, “Ty [Stone] has the #10 song on WRIF right now, and it’s only a matter of
time before he gets huge.”
Many locals may be tired of hearing about Kid Rock, but Vargo gives him a lot
of credit.
“Kid Rock has done a great job of keeping all eyes on Detroit, musically,” she
said, “He’s an amazing example of Detroit rock and roll.”
Vargo is insistent to point out that the DMAs are not just an “insiders only”
event. “The only thing that is exclusive is the voting process, but the public is
more than welcome to attend. It’ll be the best $20 they’ll spend!”
But even to give the public some say in a win, sponsor VitaminWater has
created an interactive contest by choosing 10 songs by nominees for free
download in a special widget on the Detroit Music Awards homepage. Users can
promote their favorite artist via Twitter or Facebook, and the artist that garners
the most downloads by tomorrow, Wednesday, April 14, receives a special
award at the ceremony.
This year, distinguished achievement awards will be presented to Detroit rock
favorites The Rockets and to the Sun Messengers. The Sun Messengers will
perform, while The Hell Drivers — featuring Rockets founders Jimmy McCarty
and Johnny “Bee” Badanjek — will play a set of Rockets songs.
National Artists receiving DMA nominations include Eminem, Bob Seger, Uncle
Kracker, The Von Bondies, Mayer Hawthorne, K’jon and Ty Stone.
What started as the Motor City Music Awards in 1988 and first presented in
1992, the Detroit Music Awards are the only music awards in the nation to be
completely organized and presented by a not-for-profit organization. Its
5. Stacy Lukasavitz - Writing Sample - Event Preview Article
mission is to support and nurture the musical community in the Detroit metro
area and throughout Southeastern Michigan.
The DMAs this year will present at total of 70 awards across 11 different
genres, ranging from rap to rock, country to classical, folk to electronic, and
everything in between. Voting is done by Detroit area music professionals in a
multiphase process beginning in January and culminating the end of March. A
full list of nominees and performers can be found at
www.detriotmusicawards.net
The Detroit Music Awards will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 16, at the
Fillmore. Tickets are $20 for General Admission and still on sale at all
Ticketmaster outlets.
