Empire Awards

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Empire Awards 2003

Welcome to the
9th Annual
Inland Empire Blues Society
"Empire Awards"
photos by Clark Fisher, except where noted

The 9th Annual Inland Empire Blues Society "Empire Awards" was a blast! The event is intended to honor musicians and the individual achievements of others within our own Blues region. After months of preparation, I think we were successful in showing our blues people how much we appreciate them. We had eighteen categories where I.E.B.S. members decided who was "Best" in each. These awards are such a small thing in comparison to the hours of enjoyment we each receive from the people who work so hard to bring us The Blues.
The event was once again held at the Spokane Valley Eagles, and what a great place to have the show! The Eagles offer a nice sized room for the event, have it properly staffed, offer food & drink, and treat us like they are glad we're there! They also have easy access for load in & out for musicians, plenty of parking, and clean bathrooms. What more could you ask for?

Delta 88
The 2002 "Best New Blues Band" Delta 88 opened up at 7:15 with a hot one hour set, focusing on the great vocals of Rhonda Monge'. The I.E.B.S. hires the previous years' "Best New Blues Band" to open the event.

Tina Denning & Cragi Heimbigner
Mistress and Master of Ceremonies this year were Tina Denning & Craig Heimbigner. For not knowing each other before the start of this event, they certainly worked well together!

Ted Todd
We started out with "Best Writer for Inside Blues," a category that is intended to encourage people to submit articles and other blues worthy information to the newsletter. Nominees included: Craig Heimbigner, Scott Higgin, and Ted Todd. Ted added this award to his collection, having won this award 1996 thru 1998, and 2002. Mike Pope won the award the first year of "Empire Awards," 1995; Scott Higgin picked it up in 1999 & 2000; and Craig Heimbigner won in 2001.

B.J. "Mom" Sparling
Next up was "Best Blues Drummer." Nominees were John Cage (Too Slim & the Taildraggers), Deyo Hirata (Sammy Eubanks Band), and Gary Smith (Laffin' Bones.) John Cage, who has moved to Vancouver, Washington, won this award, and B.J. Sparling, better known as "Mom," accepted on his behalf. Our very first "Best Blues Drummer," in 1995, was Bill Bancroft, and Bill won the Hall of Fame Drummer for 1999 with Café Blue, and 2000 & 2001 with Pat Coast & Out of the Blue. His 2001 award was shared with Zach Cooper of the Bone Daddies. We actually had a tie, but it wasn't our first in this category! John Cage (Too Slim & the Taildraggers) tied with Chris "Crash" Klettke of Nothin' Personal in 1997, and John has also won this award in 1996, '98, and 2002.

Ramiro Vijarro
"Best Blues Bassist" nominees were ex-Taildragger Tom Brimm (Sammy Eubanks Band), current Taildragger Dave Nordstrom, and Ramiro Vijarro (Pat Coast Band). Although no longer with the Pat Coast Band, Ramiro takes the win for the second year in a row. Ramiro thanked the members for voting for him, and said that the level of talent in our area is exceptional. Previous winners include Tom Brimm, 1995, '98 & 2000 (all with Too Slim & the Taildraggers); Dee Browning 1996 & '97, with Nothin' Personal and the Crawdaddies; Tom Brewster with Café Blue in 1999; and Larry Brown with Pat Coast & Out of the Blue in 2001. We have not yet had a "Hall of Fame" winner in "Best Blues Bassist."

Dan Frasu
"Best Blues Instrumentalist (Other)," is a category intended to include all blues instruments which do not have a specific category. This year's nominees were Dan Frasu (Trumpet, Tina Denning & Lockdown), Bruce Guy (Saxophone, DX Biscuit), and Mike Lenke (Trumpet, Pat Coast Band). Winning trumpet player Dan Frasu won this award. Dan has moved to Gig Harbor, and Tina Denning accepted for Dan. Dan also won this category in 1997 for his percussion skills, while playing with the band Nothin' Personal. Mike Lenke, (trumpet), won this award in 1995 with Mumbo Jumbo and again in 2001 with Pat Coast & Out of the Blue. Charlie Butts of Charlie Butts & the Filter Tips picked up the award three times for his saxophone skills, in 1996, 2000 & 2002. Chuck Swanson (saxophone), of Mumbo Jumbo won in 1998; and Bob Spittal (saxophone) picked it up in 1999 while with Café Blue.

Dave Winslow
Rory Marrero (Papa Glenn & Border Run), Gary Nelson (Tina Denning & Lockdown), and Dave Winslow (Big Mumbo Blues Band) were the nominees for "Best Blues Keyboardist." Winning for the fifth time, and third in a row, was Dave Winslow of the Big Mumbo Blues Band. Dave won in 1997 and '98 while with Mumbo Jumbo, and again in 2001, '02, and '03, which makes him a "Hall of Fame" award winner! "Hall of Fame" award winners have won the award three consecutive years, and are not eligible for the award again for three years. Dave will be eligible in 2007! Steve Lime (Sammy Eubanks Band) won in 2000; Rory Marrero (Charlie Butts & the Filter Tips) in 1999; Mike Nikula (Charlie Butts & the Filter Tips) won in 1996, and our very first winner in 1995 was Keith Lewis of Café Blue.

Dan Frasu
"Best Blues Harmonica" nominees were Dave Allen (D.A. & the Cruisers), D.C. Black (The Chickenheads), and Dan Frasu (Tina Denning & Lockdown). Once again, Tina Denning accepts the award for Dan Frasu. Dan won this same award in 1997 while playing with two different bands, "Nothin' Personal," and "The Crawdaddies." Previous winners include Chip Busch (Chip & the Bushwhackers) 1995 & '96, and Mumbo Jumbo 1998; Carl Rey (Carl Rey & the Blues Gators) Hall of Fame 1999-2001; and Charlie Butts (Charlie Butts & the Filter Tips) 2002.

Dean Davis & Ted Todd
Nominees The 6 O'clock Blues w/John Blakesley (KEWU), The Blues Show w/Ted & Dean (KKZX), and The Buzzard Blues w/Hays & Hig (KZBD) all competed for the "Best Blues Radio Program" award, and Ted & Dean accept the award. The Blues Show with Ted & Dean has won this award 6 times in their 11 year run on KKZX: 1995-1998, and 2002-2003. The Blues Review with Tina Bjorklund on KPBX picked up a Hall of Fame for 1999-2001.

Rhonda Monge'
"Best Female Blues Vocalist" nominees included Karen Hamel (Loose Cannon), Donna Hodges (Dimestore Blues Band), and Rhonda Monge' (Delta 88). Rhonda was a top three nominee for "Best Female Blues Vocalist" in 2002 and this year she takes home the award. Rhonda thanked her band and the members of the Inland Empire Blues Society. Jan Bounds of Mumbo Jumbo won the Hall of Fame for her efforts in Mumbo Jumbo 1995-1997; Anita Royce (Anita Royce & the Highrollers) won in 1998; Samantha Carston (Ozmo Boogie) picked up the award in 1999; and Tina Denning (The Other Band) acquired Hall of Fame from 2000-2002.

Bill Bancroft
Pat Coast (Pat Coast Band), Sammy Eubanks (Sammy Eubanks Band), and Carl Rey (Carl Rey & the Blues Gators) were the nominees for the "Best Male Blues Vocalist" category. "Hall of Fame" drummer Bill Bancroft of the Pat Coast Band accepted the award for Pat, saying that Pat was at home with the flu. There has never been a Hall of Fame (three consecutive wins) in this category, but certainly some fine vocalists. Chip Busch won in 1995 & '96 with his band Chip & the Bushwhacker, and again in 1998 with Mumbo Jumbo; Dan Frasu won in 1997 while working two bands, Nothin' Personal & the Crawdaddies; Sammy Eubanks in 1999 & 2000, and again in 2002; and Carl Rey (Carl Rey & the Blues Gators) picked up the award in 2001.

Tim "Too Slim" Langford (photo by Kay Miller)
A hotly contested category was up next. "Best Blues Guitarist" is always a close category. People sure do like guitar players! Pat Barclay (Big Mumbo Blues Band), Steve Brody (Carl Rey & the Blues Gators), and Tim Langford (Too Slim & the Taildraggers) were the nominees, and once again, "Mom" accepted an award on behalf of a Taildragger. Tim, now living in Kirkland, Washington, has won this award many times before. 1995-1998, 2002 & 2003. Pat Coast has won the Hall of Fame Award also for his guitar wizardry in Café Blue and Pat Coast & Out of the Blue, 1999 thru 2001.

Pat Coast (photo by Neil Morris)
"Best Blues Slide Guitar" nominees were Pat Coast (Pat Coast Band), Doug Johnson (Fat Tones), and Dave Walsh (Phat Baby Dave & The Painkillers). None of the nominees were present at the event, but Bill Bancroft accepted the award for Pat Coast. This is Pat's second year in a row for this award, after Paul Brasch's 2001 win, and Tim Langford's Hall of Fame (1998-2000)

Ramiro Vijarro
The Doghouse Boyz, Don Millard, and Ray Roberson were all nominated for the "Best Acoustic Blues Act" category. The Doghouse Boyz won this honor for 2003. Don Millard won this award in 1997 and 2001, and for a newcomer to our area, Ray Roberson is an act to watch out for! "Best Acoustic Blues Act" was dominated by Paul Brasch for years, with his wins 1995 & '96, '98-2000; and Tim Langford won in 2002.

Gary Pugh, Gary Nelson, Clark Ong, and Tina Denning
"Best New Blues Band or Artist (2 yrs or less)" includes new or reformed blues bands. The Big Mumbo Blues Band, Tina Denning & Lockdown, and the Fat Tones were the nominees; Tina Denning & Lockdown were the winners. This makes Tina Denning and Lockdown eligible to open the 10th Annual Empire Awards next year! There are always deserving new bands each year, as shown by the list of previous winners: Paul Brasch, 1995; The DeSotos, 1996; The Crawdaddies, 1997; D.C. Black & the Healers, 1998; The Bone Daddies, 1999; Aaron Richner & the Blues Drivers, 2000; Blue Tattoo, 2001; and Delta 88, 2002.

John Cage, Dave Nordstrom & Tim Langford (photo by Dean Davis)
Big Mumbo Blues Band, DX Biscuit, and Too Slim & the Taildraggers were the nominees for "Best Blues Band." Mom once again accepts the award for Too Slim & the Taildraggers. This was their first win in the category since 1997, when they won Hall of Fame for 1995-1997. Mumbo Jumbo won in 1998, Café Blue in 1999, and Pat Coast & Out of the Blue snagged Hall of Fame for 2000-2002.

Pat Coast (photo by Neil Morris)
"Best Blues Album (N.W. Region)" nominees were Don't Touch My Guitar (Pat Coast Band), Bomb Run (The Fat Tones), and Tales of Sin & Redemption (Too Slim & the Taildraggers). Bill Bancroft accepted the award on behalf of the Pat Coast Band. Too Slim and Pat Coast have each won this category 4 times, counting the year 2000 when they tied with their respective albums "King Size Troublemakers" (Too Slim & the Taildraggers), and Play Somethin' We Can Dance To (Pat Coast & Out of the Blue.) Shiny Metal Objects by Mumbo Jumbo (1998), and Not Easily Amused (1997) by the Charles White Band were the only non-Too Slim & Pat Coast releases to ever win, and The Charles White Band the only non-Inland Empire album winner.

Marva Ulleland at microphone
The 8th Annual Bronze Blues & Brews (Joseph, OR), the 10th Annual Ritzville Blues Festival (Ritzville, WA), and the 16th Annual Winthrop R&B Festival (Winthrop, WA) were the nominees for "Best Blues Event (Inland Empire)." All three nominees are previous winners of this category. Marva Ulleland, representing the Ritzville Chamber of Commerce, accepted the award. The Ritzville Blues Festival was a "Hall of Fame" winner for 1997, '98, and '99, and this was the first year they were again eligible. The Winthrop R&B Festival won in 2000 & 2002; Bronze Blues & Brews won in 2001; and the Whitehorse Bluez Festival in Spirit Lake, ID. won in 1995 & 1996.

Jesse James
"Best Blues Club/Venue" nominees included Brix Jazz & Blues Lounge (Coeur d'Alene, ID), I Dunno's (Coeur d'Alene, ID), and Northern Quest Casino (Airway Heights, WA). Accepting the award for I Dunno's was Jesse James, manager of I Dunno's. The sad news is that I Dunno's closed their doors the next day. Previous winners include The Fort Spokane Brewery (1995 & '96); Tubs (Coeur d'Alene) 1997; Mad Daddy's (Coeur d'Alene) 1998; The Masonic Temple (Spokane) 1999; and a Hall of Fame for Capone's (Coeur d'Alene) 2000-2002.

Ted Todd
"Keeping the Blues Alive" is a category designed to award an individual who has displayed exceptional achievements or involvement with the blues. Their peers nominated Glenn Clapper, Craig Heimbigner, and Ted Todd, and Ted accepted the award, the sixth one for him (1995-1998 & 2002-2003). Scott Higgin won this prestigious award in 2000 & 2001, while Craig Heimbigner won in 1999.

Clark Fisher (photo by Carl Speer)

Sandy Leithauser

Two special awards were given that night. The first, called: The Andy Wavada Memorial Award for Special Effort in the Blues, was given to Clark Fisher. Clark has been our official photographer for years, taking pictures, developing them, and donating them to the Blues Society. In 2003, Clark has learned the intricacies of digital photography, and has taken many photos for the I.E.B.S.
The "Andy Wavada Memorial Award for Exceptional Effort in the Blues" award is dedicated to Andy Wavada, "Inside Blues" editor from August of 1994 to December of 1995, and also the driving force behind the first "Empire Awards" ceremony, held in September of 1995. Andy made it happen, and put forth exceptional effort! Andy passed away May 26 of 1998. Each year we remember Andy with this award, and his love of the blues.
The second, "The Inland Empire Blues Society Appreciation Award," went to Sandy Leithauser. Sandy has been a member of the Blues Society since its inception, and has volunteered at a huge amount of events, and spent several years as our Secretary. We wanted to show Sandy how much we appreciate her efforts.
These awards are Board of Directors awards. The Board of Directors, and their feelings about who is deserving for their special efforts towards the blues determine its recipients. Previous recipients have been Keith Lewis, in 1998, for his years of organizing the Blues For Food Benefit, and Glenn Clapper for organizing the Blues Cats for Kids Benefit. 2000 awards went to Anita Royce for years of framing our award certificates, and Mick Benson for the sound & lights at many of our events for next to nothing.
For his unflagging support of musicians and huge yearly donations of equipment to Blues Cats for Kids, Len Volpe was honored in 2001. Marva Ulleland of the Ritzville Blues Festival was also honored for her years of dedication in organizing the Ritzville Blues Festival. Marva does this as a member of the Chamber of Commerce and earns no money for her work! The Andy Wavada Memorial Award for Special Effort in the Blues hangs in The Bronco Inn, owned by Deborah Conway. Deborah allows the Inland Empire Blues Society free run of the Bronco, letting us have our monthly meetings and do shows there whenever we want.
Once again, the actual awards portion lasted about 45 minutes. Man, are we good!

Nicole Fournier

Bill Brammer

Barbara Blue
Nicole Fournier and Her 3 lb. Universe headlined the show, kickin' off some serious guitar playing at 9pm.
After a hot set of scorchin' blues, Nicole and the band took a break, comin' back to the stage with a great rotation of local blues musicians settin' in for a killer jam.
The talented Nicole Fournier has won many awards herself, including "Best Electric Guitar" and "Best Female Vocalist" by the Washington Blues Society in 1998 & 2000, Tacoma Summy Award Winner for "Blues Woman of the Year" in 96 and 99, WBS "Best NW Recording" and "Best Female Vocalist" in 99; and in 1992 was voted the "Best Female Vocalist" by the Bay Area Blues Awards.
Her current band includes Washington Blues Society Hall of Fame bassist Barbara Blue, formerly of Junkyard Jane, a 2000 BBB favorite, and drummer extraordinaire Bill Brammer of 'Smokin' Gun' fame.
Nicole Fournier and Her 3 lb. Universe was a great ending to the Empire Awards. We'll be back next year, and we hope you'll be there with us!