You've been wondering, and asking us, and lately offering up a few social-media suggestions. But it's time. Apologies for the delay, but the 2014 Houston Press Music Award nominations are at hand.
What took so long? To draw up the ballot this year, we consulted about two dozen individuals from all corners of the scene. They're all intensely connected to local music; many of them make it their livelihoods. Of course there were some tough calls, but overall we think this patchwork approach has produced about an accurate reflection of the past year's award-worthy achievements that a scene as sprawling as Houston's is likely to see.
We certainly hope so, but this isn't over quite yet either. We've still got one more wrinkle in store, but all in good time. Good luck to all the nominees; you're all winners in our eyes by not moving to Austin or further elsewhere. Voting is now open (and will stay open until July 31st at 11:59 p.m. but why wait?) , and you can do so at the link below:
The 2014 Houston Press Music Award Nominees
BEST LOCAL RECORDING
- Abstract Desires, BLSHS
- Footprints On the Moon, Doughbeezy
- The Spirit Speaks, Jones Family Singers
- Wild Desperation, B.E. Godfrey
- Find What You Love and Let It Kill You, Linus Pauling Quartet
- Royal Oak Blues Cafe, Trudy Lynn
- The Champ, Ragged Hearts
- Hell and Half of Georgia, Mike Stinson
- Make Out King and Other Stories of Love, The Tontons
- 88-92, Wild Moccasins
BEST LOCAL SONG
- "The Box I Take to Work," Mike Stinson
- "Emergency Broadcast," Wild Moccasins
- "I'm From Texas," Doughbeezy
- "Gwan," The Suffers
- "If I Fall," BLSHS
BEST LOCAL MUSIC VIDEO
- "The Cosmic Draw," Featherface
- "Gag Reflections," Wild Moccasins
- "Gwan," The Suffers
- "I'm Alive," Z-Ro
- "The Ninth Level," Two Star Symphony
LOCAL MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
- Doughbeezy
- Kam Franklin (The Suffers)
- Nick Gaitan
- B.E. Godfrey
- Nick Greer
- Chase Hamblin
- Asli Omar (The Tontons)
- Mike Stinson
BEST NEW ACT
- Big Gerb
- BLSHS
- Catch Fever
- Children of Pop
- The Dead Links
- De'Wayne Jackson
- Satellite d'Homme
BEST SONGWRITER
- B.E. Godfrey
- Steven Higginbotham (The Wheel Workers)
- K-Rino
- Mike Stinson
- Sergio Trevino (Buxton)
- Nick & Alex Zamora (The Suffers)
BEST PRODUCER
- Steve Christensen
- Donnie Houston
- Rock Romano
- Jack Saunders
- Trakksounds
- Dan Workman
More nominees on the next page.