Nominations sought for Ovation Awards: Movers, shakers impacting Michigan music

For the second year, the Michigan Music Alliance will present Ovation Awards at the WYCE Jammies in February, honoring those dedicated to collaboration, community and equality amid the music scene.

 

Just a quick glance at the winners of the inaugural Ovation Awards for 2022 demonstrates the sort of selfless, community-building and collaborative spirit of those dedicated to bolstering and building up Michigan’s music scene.

The roster of winners announced at the WYCE Jammie Awards included Scott Hammontree, partner in The Intersection, and Michelle Hanks, owner of Seven Steps Up, who worked tirelessly to “Save Our Stages” during the COVID pandemic, leading and assisting the Michigan Independent Venue & Promoter Association, which also partnered with a national group to help concert venues survive.

There was Kalamazoo’s Yolonda Lavender, founder of Soul Artistry LLC, who was hailed for her “music community-building efforts in the Kalamazoo area, bringing focus to artists of color.”

Robby Fischer and Tito Mendoza of Grand Rapids’ Dogtown Studio were honored for their efforts to help artists live-stream during the pandemic and host Dogtown sessions, while Emilee Petersmark and Korey Schnell’s Stay in Your House Shows earned kudos for being their first to launch virtual shows in the region that gave proceeds back to artists.

And finally, there was Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Ralston Bowles, who’s not only long championed the area’s music scene and launched Tuesday Evening Music Club concerts at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, but who’s promoted “collaboration, mentorship and professionalism.”

Now, it’s time for the Ovations Awards 2023.

The Michigan Music Alliance is seeking nominations for the 2023 awards aimed at spotlighting those “behind the music” who have worked “to do something amazing to help others in our music community.” The awards will be presented at the WYCE Jammie Awards taking place at The Intersection on Feb. 24, 2023.

According to the nonprofit group, Ovation Award nominees should be those “who made an impact by embracing the core values that make us come together: collaboration, community-building, equality and sustainability.”

Elle Lively, MMA executive director, said it’s all about honoring those who’ve gone out of their way “to make dreams keep happening” and to “enrich a supportive, sustainable, engaging and collaborative music scene in West Michigan.”

Nominees must be Michigan residents, be associated with the music scene in a volunteer or professional capacity, have had a positive impact on the music community and exemplify the core values of community-building and collaboration. They must also be nominated by a Michigan resident.

The deadline for submitting nominations is Jan. 23, 2023. Those submitting nominations should indicate why the nominee embodies collaboration, community and selflessness, and how they’ve contributed to the music community.

Nominations can be made online here.

The Michigan Music Alliance is a nonprofit group aimed at providing musicians statewide with the resources and music business education programming they need to advance their careers, make lasting connections and create collaboration opportunities.

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