Warren Haynes to host the Jammy’s
It’s that time of year again, the Jammy’s that is, when live music acts are awarded for their jobs well done, for solidifying minds and for doing, well, what they do best: playing great music for great fans. This years 7th Annual Jammy’s are going to be held at the WaMu Theatre in Madison Square Garden on May 7th and will be hosted by long time winner and face at the Jammy’s, Mr. Warren Haynes of Gov’t Mule. Also co-hosting with Mr. Haynes, is my recent find, the lovely Ms. Grace Potter of the Nocturnals.
Though I have to say, this will be the first year I will actually pay attention and see what happens here, and in fact, I don’t know why I never did before. The idea of the Jammys’ is unique. It’s a celebration of the best in live improvisational music performance that pairs the brightest lights on the jam music scene with stars from the pop, rock, reggae, gospel and jazz realms. It isn’t judged on production of a song, or it’s songwriting or it’s popularity among Americans. It’s about a spur of the moment event, and live at that. No artist knows when they play a song if it will be up for a Jammy nomination, nor will they try to do so. Though there are some categories that include studio produced music as well as DVD’s, the root of the celebration lies in ‘live.’
“Like the scene that it celebrates the Jammy is a true grassroots event. Ever since Year One, the awards have been voted upon by the discerning ears of the fans,” says Dean Budnick, co-founder of the Jammy’s and editor of Jambands.com and Relix magazine.
This year doesn’t seem to let down, with nominations going to new and formally nominated artists. Along with the awards, lucky audience members will, of course, get some of the most spectacular music performances at the event (though the line up is still not yet released). My non-psychic mind, is somehow though picking up signs that one of the most memorable moments of the event will be the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ to the late band known as Phish. Fans, both devoted and new, I’m sure will experience a truly emotional moment, followed by more amazing music. If only I was famous enough to attend. Someday, my friends….. someday.
Check out this years nominations here, and if you feel like voting head to the official site, Jammys.com. I’ve bolded my personal choices below.
Live Performance of the Year
1. Gov’t Mule with John Paul Jones, Bob Weir, Michael Franti, Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Cassady and Luther Dickinson, Bonnaroo Music Festival, 6/17/07
2. Led Zeppelin, O2 Arena, London, 12/10/07
3. Phil Lesh & Friends with Trey Anastasio, Glens Falls Civic Center, 10/20/07
4. Soul Stew Revival with Luther Dickinson, Fox Theatre, Atlanta, GA, 12/31/07
5. SuperJam (Ben Harper, John Paul Jones and ?uestlove), Bonnaroo Music Festival, 6/16/07
6. USTORM Benefit, The Park West, Chicago, IL 3/31/07
Tour of the Year
1. Allman Brothers Band/RatDog
2. D.U.M.B.: The Disco Biscuits and Umphrey’s McGee
3. Gov’t Mule with Grace Potter & The Nocturnals: Mighty High Tour
4. Solid Blues Tour: Mavis Staples, Charlie Musselwhite, The North Mississippi All-Stars & Joe Krown
5. The String Cheese Incident: Summer
6. Widespread Panic: Fall
Studio Album of the Year
1. Dream: Keller Williams
2. From The Corner To The Block: Galactic
3. 100 Days, 100 Nights: Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
4. Page McConnell: Page McConnell
5. The Conch: moe.
6. The Mix-Up: Beastie Boys
Live Album of the Year
1. Bringing It Home: Bonerama
2. Brothers of a Feather: Live at the Roxy: Chris & Rich Robinson
3. Escaping the Sargasso Sea: Lotus
4. Live at the Murat: Umphrey’s McGee
5. Live at Tonic: Marco Benevento
6. Live in the Northeast: Hot Buttered Rum
Song (a composition first appearing on an official release in 2007)
1. “Ah Mary” Grace Potter and The Nocturnals
2. “Cadillac” Keller Williams
3. “Circles” JJ Grey & MOFRO
4. “Heavy Rotation” Page McConnell
5. “Maria” ALO
6. “Telling Sue” Assembly of Dust
DVD of the Year
1. Immagine in Cornice: Picture in a Frame: Pearl Jam
2. JamCam Chronicles: Jam Cruise 5
3. Keep on Marchin’: North Mississippi Allstars
4. Progressions: The Disco Biscuits
5. Stranger: Bernie Worrell on Earth
6. Years in Your Ears …a story of Leftover Salmon
Archival Album of the Year
1. Boston Common, 8-17-71, The Allman Brothers Band
2. Live at Massey Hall 1971, Neil Young
3. Three From The Vault, Grateful Dead
4. Vegas 96, Phish
5. Warren Haynes Presents: The Benefit Concert Volume 2
6. Warts & All 5, moe.
eMusic Download of the Year
1. Cold Turkey 150 - Benevento Russo Duo, American Babies, Apollo Sunshine, Keller Williams and Michael Franti (Relixradio.com)
2. N’awlins Funkmasters 4/29/07, Howlin’ Wolf, New Orleans, 4/29/07 (Digitalsoundboard.net)
3. Music For The Planet: a nugs.net benefit for Rock The Earth (Nugs.net)
4. Phish, “Headphones Jam” (Livephish.com)
5. Tractorbeam, Chameleon Club, Lancaster, PA, 6/26/07 (Livedownloads.com/Bisco)
6. Widespread Panic, Driving Songs, Vol. 1, Summer 2007 (Livewidespreadpanic.com)
New Groove
1. Blue Turtle Seduction
2. BuzzUniverse
3. Cornmeal
4. One Under
5. Scarecrow Collection
6. SeepeopleS
7. The Brew
totally agree with you on the live performance!! definitely was near tears at that show