A nationally-known artist grabbed top honors at the Wisconsin Area Music Industry Awards Monday night at Turner Ballroom.
It was not Danny Gokey.
Justin Vernon, who performs as Bon Iver, was named Artist of the Year at the 29th annual awards program. Bon Iver beat out fellow finalists Maritime, Cory Chisel, Ronnie Nyles, Verona Grove and Fever Marlene.
Gokey, who has garnered national fame on "American Idol," was nominated for Best Christian / Gospel artist, but lost to Chad James.
OnMilwaukee.com won the WAM for Best Print/Electronic Media at the show, which featured live performances by Geoff Landon & The Wolfpack, Spiral Trance, The Buskers, Verona Grove, The Figureheads, Harvey Scales & Soul Food and Alex Wilson and 9-year-old guitar prodigy Tallan Latz.
Scales, composer of songs for the O'Jays and Johnny Taylor's 1976 hit "Disco Lady," is known as "The Godfather of Milwaukee Soul." He and legendary producer Butch Vig were inducted into the WAMI Hall of Fame.
Here is a complete list of the winners:
2009 WAMI AWARD WINNERS
Hall of Fame Inductees -- Harvey Scales; Butch Vig
Artist of the Year -- Bon Iver
CD of the Year -- "My World" by Hindsight
WAMI President's Award -- Deb Mikesch
Best Hip-Hop / Rap -- The Figureheads
Best Alternative Artist -- The Lackloves
Song of the Year -- "Hallmark Stars" by the Lackloves
Rock Artist of the Year -- Verona Grove
Female Vocalist of the Year -- Ronnie Nyles
Tributes in Memory -- Louis Bashell, Rock Dee, Terry Frank,Ted Gillick, Brian Kurek, Gilbert Moorer, Jr., Roy Scott, Steven Stokes and James Jimmie Williamson.
People's Choice -- Grand Union (Northeast Quadrant); Copper Box (Northwest quadrant); The Toys (Southeast Quadrant); Madison Country (Southwest Quadrant).
Best Radio Station -- 88.9 Radio Milwaukee
Best Recording Studio -- Renwood Messenger Recording Studios
Producer of the Year -- Justin Perkins and Jeff Hamilton (tie)
Best Print/Electronic Media -- OnMilwaukee.com
Best Pop Artist -- Ronnie Nyles and Tallulah Who.
Best World/Reggae/Ska Artist -- De La Buena
Best Country Artist -- Geoff Landon & The Wolfpack
Best Christian / Gospel Artist -- Chad James
Best R&B / Soul -- Soul Food
Best Blues Artist -- Alex Wilson
Best Bluegrass Artist -- Liberty Bluegrass Band
New Artist of the Year -- Invade Rome
Music Venue of the Year -- Mill Creek (Appleton)
Male Vocalist of the Year -- Cory Chisel
Cover Band of the Year -- Sonic Circus
Best Americana Band -- Liam Ford Band and Copper Box (tie)
Best Jazz Artist -- Paul Spencer Band
Big Band Swing Artist of the Year -- All Star SuperBand
Nostalgia/Tribute Artist of the Year -- Mark Shurilla
Guitarist of the Year -- Evan Christian
Reeds/Brass Player of the Year -- Warren Wiegratz
Keyboard Player of the Year -- Connie Grauer
Bassist of the Year -- Chris Steelman
Drummer of the Year -- Dave Schoepke
Special Instrumentalist -- Rachel Trapp
Scales fans, here's a video of Taylor performing "Disco Lady" on "Soul Train," baby ...
