Nature is healing; the WAMI Awards are back. 

Yes, after a hiatus last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the statewide music awards show will return for its 40th edition on Sunday, Oct. 17 at Turner Hall Ballroom. 

The show – originally scheduled for April last year – will provide its annual celebration of local music's finest, with honors spread across 36 categories along with WAMI's People's Choice award and special Hall of Fame inductions.

"In addition, the show will celebrate the return of Wisconsin music and its resilience after a difficult year for musicians, venues and many others associated with the industry," WAMI President Zoy Begos said, in a release.

Tickets for the awards show – costing $25 for general admission and $45 for VIP tickets complete with table seating – are available at the Pabst Theater Group box office and website.

For more information on the show and nominees, visit WAMI's website. And while you're waiting for the awards to start, peruse the nominees you voted for in the People's Choice Award category.

Southwest

Band

• Rising Phoenix
• Blue Steel Band
• The Homeland Conspiracy
• Cherry Pie
• The Rotation

Teacher

• Sierra Calabara 
• Tara Imhof
• Corinn Bonkalski 

Radio station

• 94.1 WJJO
• Z104
• 101.5 WIBA 

Venue

• Fawn Creek Winery
• Hollyrocks
• Bowl-A-Vard Lanes 

Fan

• Kati Schirmer
• Jeff Burmeister
• Tricia Ruhs 

Northwest

Band

• Them Coulee Boys
• Spicy Tie Band
• The Dweebs
• Bear Creek Band
• TeawhYB

Teacher

• Brian McLaughlin
• Victoria Shoemaker
• Tony Bessen 

Radio station

• WHYS 96.3
• 92.9 The X
• 101.9 WDEZ 

Venue

• The Mousetrap Tavern
• Schuggy’s
• The Plus 

Fan

• Chris Evanson
• Myranda Geiger
• Angela Poling Owen 

Northeast

Band

• Stricken
• That 90s Band
• Grand Union
• BoomBoxx
• The Fabulous Rugburns

Teacher

• Phil Smyth
• Renee Millard
• Jake Crowe
• Mark Budwit
• Matt Gieseke

Radio station

• Code Zero Radio
• 101 WIXX
• 105.7 WAPL
• 103.1 WOGB
• 94.7 Razor

Venue

• Phat Headz
• Headliners
• Stone Toad Bar & Grill
• The Train Station
• Capitol Centre

Fan

• Doris Budwit
• Bill Dafoe 
• Leanne Booher
• Nick James
• Ian Hanley

Southeast

Band

• Big Spoon
• Ten Feet Tall
• The Playlist
• Smart Mouth
• Tangled Lines
• Almighty Vinyl

Teacher

• Daniel Faustman
• Jim Kube
• Derek Machan
• Marty Morgan
• Dave Zettle

Radio station

• 102.9 The Hog
• FM 106.1
• 96.5 WKLH
• 88.9 Radio Milwaukee
• 95.1 WIIL

Rock Venue

• Cue Club of Wisconsin
• X-Ray Arcade
• The Saloon on Calhoun
• Rock Country MKE
• Paulie’s Pub & Eatery 

Fan

• Brenda Blackhalo
• Bradley John
• Roosevelt McCarter
• Ben Slowey
• Dan Goretski