Each year OC Music Awards presents two outstanding achievement honors for Orange Country Impact and Lifetime Achievement. The Orange County Impact Award honors a renowned local band or artist for their impact on the Orange County music scene. The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes those individuals who have had a significant presence in the local scene, working to further local music whether they are a musician or music industry professional.

2012 OC Impact Award Recipient
THRICE

Thrice has been a staple in the alternative-modern-rock world for nearly ten years and is known for effortlessly and continuously releasing groundbreaking records. From First Impressions to Major/Minor Thrice has remained true to their artistic expression, as early pioneers of a new hardcore genre to one of the most progressive bands with an ever-evolving sound. OC Music Awards is proud to honor local heroes, Thrice, with the 2012 Orange County Impact Award.

2012 Lifetime Achievement Recipient
Rodney on the ROQ

Rodney Bingenheimer is a force in the radio industry and pioneer in first identifying and having the courage to believe in new artists that later go on to major success, many of which have come from Orange County. Recognizing the unforgettable contribution to the musicians and the music community of Orange County and beyond, OC Music Awards is pleased to honor KROQ’S Rodney on the ROQ for his notable impact on local music, with the 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award.

2012 SHOWCASE SERIES PRIZE PACKS ANNOUNCED

The 2012 Showcase Series kicked off on January 3 at Detroit Bar with over 500 fans out supporting local music. The Series continues every Tuesday night at a different venue in Orange County through February 14, leading up to the Showcase Series Finals. Five artists in the Best Live Acoustic Finals will perform on February 22 at The Coach House and five artists in the Best Live Acoustic Finals will perform on February 24 at Samueli Theater.

Each of the 10 Finalists will receive an Ernie Ball Tour Pack filled with strings and accessories. The winner of Best Live Acoustic category will receive a four-day recording session at Red Bull Studios**, an Ernie Ball Full Endorsement, a year supply of popchips, the category title and performance slot at the Awards on March 3 at City National Grove of Anaheim. The winner of Best Live Band will receive all the same prizing as Best Live Acoustic plus a performance slot on the 4 Southern California 2012 Vans Warped Tour Dates.

The finalists in each category will be announced on February 15 after the last Showcase Series event at the Constellation Room on February 14.

Click here to view the details for the Best Live Acoustic showcase on February 7 »

**Opportunity to record for four (4) days at Red Bull Studios shall be awarded to the Best Live Band and Best Live Acoustic in accordance with the terms of Red Bull North America, Inc.’s standard Artist/Studio 
Guest Contract.

BEST FOLK NOMINEE MICAH BROWN GOES “BACKSTAGE” WITH DPS

DPS DigitalSound Productions (DPS) is kicking off 2012 with an exclusive pass to OC Music Awards affiliated artists “Backstage.” Once a month DPS HQ in Irvine opens doors to a select audience to experience an intimate live performance being filmed for broadcast. 2011 OC Music Awards Best Live Acoustic winner Micah Brown launched the Backstage series in January. 2012 Best Rock nominee, Echo Echo, will take the stage on February 9 with special guest Alex Mercier. Check out the video footage that takes you “Backstage.”

Backstage Live with Micah Brown / Teaser Clip from Anthony Dever on Vimeo.

Video courtesy of DPS

The Awards Academy has voted, the ballots have been sorted and the 2012 OC Music Awards nominees in 21 Academy selected categories have been determined. The 2012 list of nominations welcomes back some OC Music Awards former winners and nominees as well as some fresh faces.

This announcement includes 21 of the 26 total 2012 Awards category nominees. Still to come are the Awards for OC Impact and Lifetime Achievement to be announced the February 1, the Best Live Band and Best Live Acoustic Showcase Series finalists, which will be announced after the last Showcase on February 15, and The People’s Choice Award nominees, to be announced on Monday, February 27.

And the 2012 OC Music Awards Nominees are…

Click HERE to view the nominees in 21 categories online »

SHOWCASE SERIES KICKS-OFF TONIGHT AT DETROIT BAR!

Join us tonight, Tuesday, January 3, the 2012 Showcase Series kick-off at Detroit Bar with Jeramiah Red, Paulie Pesh, The Gromble, Strange Birds, and James Fletcher performing in the Best Live Band category. Doors open at 730p, the first band performs at 8p, and the event is open to fans 21 years of age and over. 106.7FM KROQ’s “Locals Only” host, Kat Corbett, will host the Showcase Series kick-off event. The Wahoo’s Fish Taco truck will be on-site serving the first 50 tacos FREE to the Showcase Series fans.

Click here for the complete Showcase Schedule »

ENTER TO WIN IN THE FARMER JOHN FAN VOTE

Awards Presenting Partner, Farmer John brings us the 2012 Farmer John Fan Vote, where the public has the power to send one Showcase Series artist in each category on to the Showcase Series Finals. Fans can vote online and on-site at Showcases at the Farmer John promo booth and enter to win a Sterling by Music Man custom guitar courtesy of Farmer John, Ernie Ball, 106.7FM KROQ and OC Music Awards. One guitar will be given away weekly at each of the nine total Showcase Series events. Fans must be present to enter and win.

Vote HERE for your favorite Showcase Artist in the Farmer John Fan Vote »

The 2012 Farmer John Fan Vote, gives the public the power to send one Showcase Series artist in each category on to the Showcase Series Finals. Fans can vote online and on-site at Showcases at the Farmer John promo booth and enter to win a Sterling by Music Man custom guitar. One guitar will be given away weekly at each of the nine total Showcase Series events. Fans must be present to enter and win. The Farmer John Fan Vote launches online at http://ocmusicawards.com/farmer-john-fan-vote/

On Tuesday, January 3, the 2012 OC Music Awards Showcase Series kicks off at Costa Mesa’s Detroit Bar launching 7 weeks of free showcases at different venues across the county. 35 local artists will compete for the titles of Best Live Band or Best Live Acoustic and a performance slot at the 2012 OC Music Awards on March 3 at the City National Grove of Anaheim, and a massive prize pack from OC Music Awards partners, to be announced in January.

The Showcase Series culminates at the Best Live Acoustic Finals February 24 and the Best Live Band Finals on February 25, where the five finalists from both categories perform and the winners will be announced on stage at the end of each night.

The Showcase Series is free to submit, free to participate and all shows are free to attend. OC Music Awards received hundreds of submissions from artists all across the county hoping to partake in the two-month long live series.

Click here to check out the final 35 participating artists and the complete showcase schedule.

THE SUN GROUP PRESENTS THE FINALE OF C.A.M.M. AT MESA

OC Music Awards visited Mesa for the finale of The Sun Group’s popular Tuesday night, C.A.M.M. The venue was packed with artists, musicians and local creative types. Awards Host Piper caught up with Brendan Thomas of The Sun Group, Kedd Cook nominated for Best DJ in 2011, and local Orange County band Polaris at Noon who performed the finale of this special event.

Host: Michelle “Piper” Rosabal
Videographer: Kyler Locke
Music: Polaris at Noon

Click here to watch the video »

IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN – KROQ ALMOST ACOUSTIC CHRISTMAS IS HERE
By Lainna Fader

When we released our almost-sure predictions for the 22nd Annual KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas lineup last week, we said that Night 1 would probably feature Jane’s Addiction, Bush, Rise Against, Blink 182, Social Distortion, Pennywise and A Day To Remember.

Click to read full article »

TOP FIVE HITS FROM FACTORY RECORDS IN COSTA MESA

Here are the top five selling records from Factory Records, 440 E 17th Street in Costa Mesa, (949) 722-8101. This week’s top position goes to The Spits’ fifth self-titled album.

Click here to read more »

Farmer John is the story of a homegrown brand, born in our backyards, served in our stadiums and passed down from grill to grill. Founded in the heart of Southern California, Farmer John has been providing fresh, high-quality products ever since the doors of its humble home were opened to the public in 1931. The key ingredient is no secret: local flavor is global flavor. No one understands the local flavors of Southern California better than Farmer John.

OC Music Awards stopped by Detroit Bar’s 10 Year anniversary event on October 15. Special performances by Peanut Butter Wolf, Vex Ruffin, and Charles Feelgood, catering by Memphis Cafe, and a hosted bar helped celebrate a decade of amazing music at the local Costa Mesa venue. We checked in with Detroit Bar Founder, Dan Bradley and a few local musicians and supporters for their stories and memories from the past ten years.

Host: Michelle “Piper” Rosabal
Videographer: Kyler Locke
Song: “Cold Waves” – The Gromble

By Lilledeshan Bose

Avenged Sevenfold will headline X1039′s Very Merry Xmas Party on Dec.17 at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario. The Huntington Beach locals will be supported by Hollywood Undead, Asking Alexandria, and Black Veil Brides.

We know, we know, it’s not a Halloween show, but you can celebrate the undead connection by buying tickets, since they go onsale tomorrow. This will be the band’s last stop in Southern California in support of their gold album Nightmare.

Click to read full article »

OC Music Awards 2011 OC Impact recipient, Social Distortion performed at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine on October 22, 2011. The Avett Brothers, Face to Face and Suedehead opened. Check out the photo slideshow from the all-star concert.

Images by John Gilhooley

Click here to read more »

2011 SHOWCASE SERIES WINNERS AT RED BULL STUDIO

OC Music Awards partner, Red Bull, supported the 2011 Showcase Series winners by providing 4 days of recording time at the word class Red Bull Studio.

Best Live Acoustic winner Micah Brown and Best Live Band winner The Steelwells take you behind the scenes on their sessions and give you a firsthand look at their creative process.

Submit your music to the 2012 OC Music Awards Showcase Series for you chance to record at Red Bull Studio!

Click here to submit your music »

Host: Michelle “Piper” Rosabal
Videographer: Kyler Locke

popchips AND SPIN MAGAZINE TEAM UP TO SUPPORT LOCAL BANDS

popchips inc., the all-natural popped snack company, and spin magazine, are giving emerging local bands the opportunity to win a pop up live gig for their fans, and the chance to perform on the spin magazine stage at sxsw, one of the world’s premier indie music festivals in austin, texas.

popchips has already selected 250 bands from new york, los angeles, san francisco, chicago and seattle from thousands of applicants. each contestant is invited to submit an exclusive track on popchips facebook page, where each will be featured and available for free download.

Congratulations to local OC artists advancing to the next round!

• Stacy clark
• Micah Brown
• Franki Doll & The Broken Toys
• Starving for Gravity

Click here to learn more & download free tracks »

LOCAL RECORD REVIEW: ‘MAJOR/MINOR’ BY THRICE
By Ned Raggett

So sure, we’re a little biased given the subject of this week’s Beat Blvd, how couldn’t we be? It’s not everyday that one of our long-established columnists makes his drumming debut with up-and-coming local act Thrice, who might one day become well known in their own right.

(Well, maybe we have the exact details as well as the order of what came first a little wrong, though there is something weird about not having Riley Breckenridge give you three well-written reasons for listening to this.)

But the point is that Thrice’s seventh album is here, they’re our cover stars this week for good reason, and they’ve shown that some bands keep getting better as they go.

Click to read full article »