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Berklee Alums, Faculty Dominate KBMA Nominations
By Stephen Pielocik
Reprinted from the student publication, The Groove
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At a press conference at Cambridge's House of Blues in early February, the nominations were announced for this year's Kahlua Boston Music Awards (KBMAs). Though the list was dominated by national acts like former New Kids on the Block members Joey McIntyre and Jordan Knight, blues guitarist and singer Susan Tedeschi, and much-publicized rockers Godsmack, the 161 nominees included a large number of former Berklee students – some of whom have gone on to national acclaim and some of whom are just around the corner from it.
Nowhere was this more apparent than the Best New Singer/Songwriter category, in which four of the nine nominees were former Berklee-ites. The nominees in this category include Adrianne, Kyler, Gonzalo Silva, and Meghan Toohey. Singer/songwriter Kristin Cifelli was honored in the Debut Folk/Acoustic Album category, for her Silver Bowl release. The compilation Can You Read This Boston?, featuring Kyler, Adrianne, Silva, and Cifelli, was also nominated as Folk/Acoustic Album of the Year.
Nationally renowned alumni Paula Cole and Susan Tedeschi also made the cut, in a unique award system that distinguishes "indie" releases and artists from their major label counterparts.
Faculty members Eduardo Tancredi and Bruce Katz were recognized for their work in the World Music and Blues categories, respectively. Percussion Instructor Dave DiCenso's band Two-Ton Shoe received a nomination for Best Club Band.
Executive Vice President Gary Burton, who was also nominated for two Grammy Awards this year, was given a KBMA nomination in the Jazz Act category. Several other Berklee alumni received nominations for jazz awards, including Danilo Perez, Darren Barrett, and Chiara Civello.
Other notable nominees include members of Best Ska Band contenders Big D & The Kids Table and female singer/songwriters Patty Larkin and Melissa Ferrick, all of whom attended Berklee at one time.
The Kahlua Boston Music Awards, now in its 13th year, are presented on the first night of the NEMO Music Showcase and Conference. This year, the awards will take place on Thursday, April 13, at the Orpheum Theater in downtown Boston.
The Music Showcase portion of NEMO will continue through April 15 at dozens of venues around Boston. Over 200 bands from around the globe will perform this year. The Conference will be held April 14–15 at Boston's Swissôtel. Panels will include Digital Rights and Copyrights, Major and Indie Label A&R, Marketing Online, Getting Signed, and Alternative Careers in Music, among others.
How to Vote for the Kahlua Boston Music Awards
Winners for the KBMA are selected by an equally weighted combination of music industry committee voting and public voting. Public ballots are available on Fridays from February 4 through February 25 in the Boston Herald and also at MARS: The Musician's Planet stores through March 6. All ballots must be postmarked by March 6.
Steve Pielocik is Assistant Editor of The Groove.
Other Berklee-related KBMA Nominations
Kevin So
Bleu
Mary Gauthier
Scott Riebling
Brad Young and Dow Brain
The following nominated bands have at least one member who studied at Berklee:
Powerman 5000
Gigolo Aunts
Hummer
Hybrasil
The Pills
Skavoovie and the Epitones
Hot Like Fire
Rumbafrica
John Lincoln Wright and the Sour Mash Boys
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