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| Washington Area Music Awards honors noted DC producers Bandhouse Gigs, the DC-area producer of innovative concerts, announced today that its Joni Mitchell tribute album has been named Best Pop Rock Recording at the Washington Area Music Awards – or Wammies – sponsored by the Washington Area Music Association (WAMA). The album presents highlights from an August 14, 2008, concert at the Music Center at Strathmore in Bethesda, MD, featuring the DC area's best-known musicians performing a career retrospective of Mitchell songs. "Joni Mitchell remains one of the most heralded songwriters and artists in popular music, " says Ronnie Newmyer, a founder of Bandhouse Gigs. "Over the course of her remarkable 40 year career, Mitchell has explored and expanded the boundaries of folk, rock, pop and jazz." Her classics include "Both Sides Now, " "Woodstock" and "Help Me." She has recorded more than 25 albums and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1996. Included on the album are performances by some of the shining lights in DC music, including Grammy award winners John Jennings and Jon Carroll, Mary Ann Redmond, Lea, Grace Griffith, Laura Burhenn, Naked Blue, Chaise Lounge, Luke Brindley, Margot MacDonald, Chelsea Lee, Heidi Martin, Diane Rosenthal, Esther Haynes, Carey Creed, One Horse Town, Cairo Fred, Deeme Katson, Cal Everett, and guitarist Steuart Smith of the Eagles who recorded with Mitchell on her Turbulent Indigo album. The Wammies are awarded each year to recognize significant career achievements by area musicians. Nominations and balloting come from WAMA members, encompassing musicians, concert promoters, lawyers, recording engineers, managers, graphic artists and related music professionals. Bandhouse Gigs, founded in 2004 by noted musicians and producers Ronnie Newmyer, Chuck Sullivan, David Sless and Danny Schwartz, is a not-for-profit, volunteer organization that brings together the Washington area's most talented artists to pay tribute to the world's most iconic musicians. Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, The Band, Warren Zevon, Nick Lowe and Neill Finn are just some of the songwriters that have been celebrated in concert, their songs performed in surprising and innovative but always inspired ways. At times, more than 60 musicians, engineers, producers and technicians have gathered in a single show, entertaining concertgoers by the thousands at such stellar venues as the Music Center at Strathmore in Bethesda, MD, and the Barns at Wolf Trap in Vienna, VA. As well, the group mounts benefits for ailing DC musicians and supports grassroots charities such as Hungry for Music, working to bring positive musical and creative experiences to underprivileged children. The 16-song tribute album is available through ITunes, Amazon.com or directly through BandhouseGigs.com at the special price of $12 including shipping and handling. write your comments about the article :: © 2010 Jazz News :: home page |