Welcome to the third annual Music Awards, part 2. Movies have the Oscars, Broadway has the Tony Awards, Television has the Emmy, and in Chattanooga, locally based musicians have the Chattanoogan.com Music Awards. These prestigious awards are all decided by just one vote – mine. There are two nice features about this method – nobody can get all their buddies to vote and swing the award, and all of the ones that did not win an award, only lost by one vote. Also, nobody has to buy an advertisement to be one of the best of the best.

The Hall Of Fame Award is presented to a musician or band that has been playing live music in Chattanooga for at least three decades, and the second recipient for 2011 is Chattanooga treasure, Roger Alan Wade. Roger, a prolific singer/songwriter, has written many songs for the greats, including himself, Hank Williams Jr., Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and more. His “Country State Of Mind” song with Hank Jr. went to number two on the charts in 1986. He has released multiple CD’s and has been on many syndicated radio and television programs, all the while calling Chattanooga home. Despite his popularity, Roger can still be found performing at a variety of music venues in town, and he is always willing to help out for a needy cause. He is just a fine man and songwriter. Welcome to the Hall Of Fame, Roger Alan Wade.

Best Christmas Party – T-Bones! They know how to throw a party and this year was no exception. Chad Danner is the hardest working manager in town, and his staff is second to none. Great music, great food, and a great staff make for darn fine place!

Best “Family Friendly” music venue – The Chattanooga Market wins this hands down. With live music every single week, this is a great place to take the kids or grandma & grandpa to see and hear top quality music. It’s kind of hard to take the kiddies out at ten at night to see a music act in a bar, but the Chattanooga Market solves that problem with mid-day performances in a fun, family atmosphere.

Special Mention Awards – These folks work hard in the local music scene, doing their part to make Chattanooga a real music town. Their contributions are varied, but all have contributed to the cause: Paul Smith and Chris Thomas from the Chattanooga Market, Jeff Styles – Radio Host and Riverbend talent wizard, Carla Pritchard – Nightfall, Dixie Fuller – Riverbend, The entire Friends Of The Festival Staff, the radio stations in town that give air time to promote local music – you know who you are - and the wonderful venue managers that provide live music in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

The remaining “talent” category selections are a compilation of my thoughts on musicians I have heard over the past year. I give extra credit to those acts that play out often. They slug their equipment and play in smoky bars until all hours of the night, earning too little money, but a lot of respect. Bear in mind that there are many wonderful musicians that I have not heard. They may even be better than those listed here. Or, not.

Best Keyboardist – This is a tough one, as not too many acts include a keyboardist. Barry Wilde, the 2009 recipient, will always be near the top of the list, but this year I have chosen Bob Williams. Bob plays the keys for the Stratoblasters, giving them a big part of their signature sound. Anyone that has ever heard the Stratoblasters knows just how good he is.

Best Bass player. Kenny Palmer is the reigning champion, and for out and out talent, it will be hard to ever find one better. In fact, Kenny is so good, he doesn’t have to exert much effort. Watch him play and it is an effortless example of an artist that knows his craft so well, he appears to be almost unchallenged. Kenny needs a challenge to spotlight is his incredible talents. Kenny becomes our first three-peat champion, but must share the award with another.

Enter Jim Rhodes, from Standing Room Only (SRO) band. Skilled at the bass, Jim offers a whole new dimension to SRO with a great personality and is fun to watch. Jim Rhodes becomes the new recipient of the best of the best in the bass category. I would also like to mention Lamar Wooten, bass player for Muddy Mule and Keith Corey of Bud Lightning fame. Both are darn good bassists.

Best Drummer – With Greg Rudder taking the two previous awards, this year I have a dilemma. Greg was hurt in an accident and missed a big part of this year. I have seen him play since, and he is back to his old self. However, in his absence, I had the opportunity to see many other drummers. His replacement in Bud Lightning, Johnny Smith, did a wonderful job filling in while Greg was out. Johnny also plays drums for Preston Parris, Thorpe McKenzie, Nathan Farrow, and Convertibull. A fine journeyman drummer, Johnny has always been in contention, but this year, takes home the prize, along with Bill Brewer. Bill Brewer, known by many and the teacher to most of Chattanooga’s best drummers is now back behind the kit, playing with Crossfire and Cody McCarver. That’s all it took for him to share the top honors with Johnny. Bob Stagner, who is the best “quiet drummer I have seen, may be the most technically correct drummer and really made my decision difficult. Next year’s award may already have Greg’s name on it, as I know he is back to his usual greatness! The rest of the drummers out there better keep up the great work.

Best Guitarist – Two years ago it was Jon Wimpee. Last year, I chose Kris Phillips. I got no argument on either. I am going out on a limb this year, as I pick a young gun – Eric Clarkson, from Muddy Mule. From the first time I saw Eric, I liked his style and sound. He plays a lot like Scott Holt, in my opinion. The difficult part was choosing a relative rookie over such pros as John Cady, Mike Harris, Jon Wimpee, Tim Neal, and others. The talent pool for guitarists in so deep in Chattanooga, it really makes my life difficult.

Special CGP Guitarist Award – To steal from Chet Atkins, CGP means certified guitar player, and Chet named very few players to that level. Having heard Wesley Crider play, I think he deserves it, and I bet Chet would too. Go by ChattaMusic on Ringgold Road and ask him to pick up any old axe and be amazed.

Best Blues Band goes to the Cadillac Saints. This band has been on the rise the past couple of years and can rock it with the best of them. They are young guys, good musicians, nice fellows and fun to watch. Catch them at a venue in town, soon.

Best Country Band – Nathan Farrow Band wins this year, with the ever popular firefighter and his great band playing all the local venues to good crowds and appreciative audiences. Nathan is what country music is all about.

Best Bluegrass Band. This year, I am choosing a band that many others have picked as best of the best lately. Mountain Cove Bluegrass, the young men from Signal Mountain and Hixson High Schools, take home the award. Austin Adkins, Cody Harvey, Mike Holloway, Colin Mabry, Tyler Martelli, and Wil Markham comprise the band that features great harmonies and tight musicianship. Give em’ a listen here.

Best Big Band – This category, one would think, wouldn’t be that difficult, but it is. We have the Monday Night Big Band, Uptown Swing Band, Sweet Georgia Sound and a couple others in town. They are all very good, but my pick goes to Sweet Georgia Sound, repeating from 2009.

Best Cover/Party Band – Bud Lightning has dominated the previous awards, but this year they played but a few engagements due to school and work conflicts. I did have chance to see them a couple of times this year and they still rock the house. However, this year my selection goes to the Crossfire band. Steve Kelley and the band are doggone good, play out a lot, read the crowd well, and bring the party. Crossfire wins this year. Steve, Mark Hinard, Dan Lee, and 2010 Drummer of the Year winner Bill Brewer make up Crossfire. SRO made it hard not to pick them, with the addition of John Cady and Jim Rhodes. My guess is that they have a chance to steal it away next year.

Best Female Vocalist – Once again the talent pool is deep with the likes of Shani Hedden, Janella Hayes, Jennifer Daniels, and Ellen Ireland, Rhonda Layne, and many more to make it a difficult decision. However, Janella Hayes repeats this year. Lead singer for Black Cat Moon, Janella put on a show at Riverbend that simply amazed the huge crowd. Small lady, big voice, bigger heart.

Best Male Vocalist – Landis Batts from SRO wins again. Man, can he carry a tune. And, he’s nice – very nice. He is our first three-time winner, and I never seem to get an argument on this one.

Entertainer Of The Year – While they may have cut back playing a bit, Bud Lightning did play out a few times, and frontman Chris Gomez repeats as Entertainer Of The Year for 2010. Anyone that has ever seen them knows what I mean when I say frontman. Not such Jimmy Tawater has a band had as dynamic and hard-working a person fronting a band. My goal in life – get Jimmy to come out and do a couple songs with Bud Lightning and Chris Gomez. That would be cool.

Have a merry Christmas and a happy Festivus!

Bob’s Pick-O-The-Week is the great Pee-Wee Moore, playing T-Bones tonight (Thursday).

Bob’s Pick-O-The-Weekend is the Fried Chicken Trio, playing at Bud’s Sportsbar on Christmas Eve. Take a break from the rush and madness and head out for a great meal and fine entertainment.

To get the latest schedule of live music, links to bands websites, pictures of activities in Chattanooga, and more. Just CLICK HERE!

Email Bob Payne at davrik2000@yahoo.com or click here for Facebook Page.