Bon Iver wins top WAMI award, WAMI wins some credibility

After topping dozens of critics’ lists, touring the world, and selling tons of copies of his debut record in spite of it starting out as a scarcely publicized independent release, Bon Iver finally got some validation last night when the singer-songwriter also known as Justin Vernon won the Artist Of The Year trophy at the Wisconsin Area Music Industry awards at Turner Hall.

That Bon Iver took home the top prize shouldn’t be a surprise—no Wisconsin artist has done nearly as well nationally in many, many years. Even if beardy folk pop isn’t your thing, you have to recognize the prominence Bon Iver has helped bring to Wisconsin’s music scene. And, yet, we’re talking about WAMI, an organization that historically has favored artists that rock the state’s county fair circuit over those that make it elsewhere. In that respect, Bon Iver’s victory probably does more for WAMI’s cred than Vernon’s, so congratulations all around.

Alas, Bon Iver’s  debut For Emma, Forever Ago wasn’t quite accomplished enough to win CD Of The Year, which instead went to My World by Appleton’s Hindsight, a band we’ve never heard of but, hey, they’re probably good, right? Other big winners include Cory Chisel for Male Vocalist, Ronnie Nyles for Female Vocalist, and Invade Rome for New Artist.

Other winners:

People’s Choice (southeast): The Toys

People’s Choice (southwest): Madison County

People’s Choice (northeast): Grand Union

People’s Choice (northwest): Copper Box

Song: The Lackloves, "Hallmark"

Hard rock artist: Spiral Trance

Rock artist: Verona Grove

Pop artist: Ronnie Nyles & the Tallulah Who

Country artist: Geoff Landon & the Wolfpack

Christian/gospel artist: Chad James

Hip-hop/rap artist: The Figureheads

R&B/soul artist: Soul Food

Tribute nostalgia artist: Mark Shurilla

Bluegrass group: Liberty Bluegrass Band

World/reggae/ska group: De La Buena

Blues artist: Alex Wilson

Jazz artist: Paul Spencer Band

Big band/swing group: All Star SuperBand

Americana artist (tie): Copper Box and Liam Ford Band

Cover band: Sonic Circus

Bassist: Chris Steelman

Drummer: Dave Schoepke

Guitarist: Evan Christian

Reeds/brass player: Warren Wiegratz (sax)

Special instrument player: Rachel Trapp (violin)

Keyboard player: Connie Grauer

Alternative artist: The Lackloves

Producer: Jeff Hamilton and Justin Perkins (tie)