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I-rt Y most P ar *» awar< k shows, musical or rUI otherwise, are fairty dull occasions. Sure, it's nice to win an award or see a friend or even a band you're particularly fond of win, but for aU but the staunchest of souls an awards show is Snooze City. So what about our own little shindig, the 2000 Fla^ole Athens Music Awards Show? Well, I tell you what tfarts of it were lots of fun; parts of it were half-and-half and parts of it were downright dull and intolerably silly. But that's how awards shows go, I suppose. Let's get the dull and silly stuff out of the way first I'm not gonna name any names, but some of the presenters caused the little veins in my head to throb with their inside-joking, mumble mouthed townie hipster nonsense. Again, Tin not gonna name any names, and I do give all eight presenters props for having the fortitude to get on stage in front of the packed house at the Morton Theatre. Some were a bit stiff and nervous, while others were more comfortable under the spotlight but they all deserve some praise. Anyhow, now that that's off my chest 2 must say I rather enjoyed the whole affair. As far as the winners go, I was pleasantly surprised with some, not at all shocked at others, and a bit puzzled at a few. But for the most part. I feel the winners adequately represented their respective categories and any complaining I'd do would lie more towards personal taste than anything else. In-house, I also thought Flagpole presented itself welL That commie weenie lesemann looked like a Southern Baptist deacon in his excuse for a suit but managed not to embarrass himself too badly. Our Esteemed Publisher looked rather sharp in his white tuxedo, and, damn, is Pete McCommons a fine dancer! (Publisher's Note: See that Thompson gets a small raise.] But of course, the real treat of the whole event was the performances by the artists in attendance. The Oan Nettles Band provided charming backing music throughout the night with its brand of light and flexible jazz. I hope this isn't an insult, but they reminded me of the old Tonight Show band. Td never seen master percussionist Or. Arvin Scott, who walked away with three awards for the night, but that man earn hit those drums. He stunning medleys, one of whkh included "When the Saints Go Marching In." Using harmonics and tapping on their acoustic guitars, the quartet sounded like a lovely piano. The next act moved a bit closer to the pop, as everyone's favorite tear- jerkers, the Star Room Boys, took the stage. The played two pieces, one on congas and one on a drum kit, and during both tunes, you could hear melodies coming through his intricate rhythms. These were songs, people, and damn good ones, too. Those hippie knotheads in those drum circles could learn a thing or three from the good doctor. following that classical theme, we were all thoroughly entertained by the Georgia Guitar Quartet. The four young men played a pair of ever lovable Dave Mart and his boys played three songs, including Bruce Springsteen's "Brilliant Disguise," a Jimmie Dale Gilmore number and their own "White Lies." As usual, the Star Room Boys satisfied. To be honest. I missed most of the Japancakes set because I was looking for vittles (I was hungry, dammit; man can't live on beer alone no matter how hard he tries}, but what I did hear definitely impressed. Afterwards, the African- American Choral Ensemble took the stage and blew the roof off the joint. Singing in traditional gospel group style, the Ensemble amazed and fiat- out rocked, and their lead soloist had some hella- cious pipes on her. The ovation they got was only matched when J.B. the Polish Sausage Man accepted the award for R&B/Soul in his fine blue suit I personally haven't heard J.B. perform, but he does make a mean sausage, and that's plenty of soul in my book. To dose the night out, Five-Eight graciously rocked us all unmercifully. I say "graciously," because they didn't win the award they were nom inated for. No matter, the band played its usual hyperkinetic and highly entertaining show, and 1 wanna see 'em again very, very soon. So, for the most part, this year's awards hoo-hah was ftm, and it did give the local music scene a chance to pat itself on the back. Matt Thompson 2000 Flagpole Athens Musk Awards Winners: JAZZ: Squat; CLASSICAL Georgia Guitar Quartet; DJ/TECHNO: Danger Mouse; EXPERIMENTAl/AVANT GARDE: Je Suis France; BLUES: Park Bench Blues Band; COUNTRY: Star Room Boys; TRADITIONAL/ ROOTS ROCK: Drive-By Truckers; HEAVY ROCK/ LOUD ROCK: Jucifer; POP ROCK: The Wee Turtles; GROOVE ROCK/FUNK: Fuxzy Sprouts; WORLD/ ETHNIC: Dr. Arvin Scott; R&B/SOUL J.B. The Polish Sausage Man; FOLK/TRADITIONAL Kevn Kinney; HIP HOP/ RAP: Big Earl and Dem Twin Soys; SKA/REGGAE: Posh Toner: ALBUM COVER ART: The Wee Turtles; SONGWRITER/SINGER/SOLO PERFORMER: Kitty Snyder; BEST BAND TO SEE UVE: Bluestring; STRONGEST MUSIC SCENE SUPPORTER: (TIE) Dr. Arvin Scott The 40 Watt Club; ALBUM OF THE YEAR: "Spirit of the Drum" by Dr. Arvin Scott* BAND/PERFORMER OF THE YEAR: Jucifer The Georgia Guitar Quartet B PLACPOLE JUNE 28, 2000