Local Ear awards presented to area musicians

This year, 89 people attended the annual Local Ear Awards held at Shooters Restaurant. To determine the winner, 64 votes were cast through a Web site promoting local music, www.localear.info in Novem-ber, after the 13 nomination ballots were cast back in October. This determined the 31 regular awards this year that were presented. This year there was also two special awards presented -- the ICON Award, which went to Jeremy Smith; and the Hall of Fame Award, presented to The Midnight Playboys.

The winners are listed by category, winner and the sponsor of the award. Producer / Engineer -- Jason Moomaw -- Herdliska & Sons Plumbing Inc; Keeping the Music Scene Alive --Dangerous Doug Harper -- T&T Signs; Guitar Guru -- Nathan Rorabaugh --Shooters; Most Enthusiastic -- Bobby Bitner -- Belle Rose; Soundman -- Cody Reed -- Danger Zone; Favorite Radio Personality -- Sheena Dicky -- Purple Shed Records; Promoter --Dangerous Doug Harper -- David Moses Byerly; Favorite Duo -- Drew Bauer and Doug Harper -- Herdliska & Sons Plumbing Inc; Folk Singer -- Matthew Harper -- Danger Zone; Americana / Bluegrass -- Wildflowers -- David Moses Byerly; Best Album or Demo -- Berlin Drop -- T&T Signs; Singer/Songwriter --Matthew Harper -- Danger Zone; Best New Act -- 1,000 Mile Stare -- David Moses Byerly; Best Poet --Matthew Harper -- Herdliska & Sons Plumbing Inc; Jazz / Blues / R&B -- Eric Lane & Doghouse Band -- Danger Zone; Multi-Player -- Cody Reed --Herdliska & Sons Plumbing Inc; Keyboardist -- David Moses Byerly -- Herdliska & Sons Plumbing Inc; Actress -- Kim Bessey -- T&T Signs; Actor -- Kevin the Mayor Jaynes --Moundville Market; Christian Artist -- David Rorabaugh -- Eyecare Professionals Inc; Hero of the Year -- Doug Harper -- Jason Moomaw Productions; Solo Artist -- Dangerous Doug Harper -- Creative Graphics; Favorite Rock Group -- Tainted Angel -- Eyecare Professionals Inc; Favorite Rock Group -- Berlin Drop -- Eyecare Professionals Inc; Favorite Rock Group -- Chapter 3 -- Herdliska & Sons Plumbing Inc; Favorite Rock Group -- Down n' Out -- Herdliska & Sons Plumbing Inc; Drummer of the Year -- Aaron Rorabaugh -- Moundville Market; Bassist of the Year -- Cody Reed -- Herdliska & Sons Plumbing Inc; Bassist of the Year -- Doug Harper -- Herdliska & Sons Plumbing Inc; Guitarist of the Year -- Kyle Norbury -- Eyecare Professionals Inc; Female Vocalist -- Jennifer Herdliska -- Moundville Market; Male Vocalist -- Eric Lane Gulliford -- Jason Moomaw Productions; Favorite Country Group -- Eric Lane & Doghouse Band -- T&T Signs; Favorite Live Act -- 1,000 Mile Stare -- Herdliska & Sons Plumbing Inc; Artist of the Year -- Veritas de Gloria -- Jason Moomaw Productions.