Hello,
Welcome to the best Atlanta, Georgia's hard rock musicians of 2009. Wow, talk about an overwhelming response! Thank you all for your nominations.

We are doing it a little bit different this year. Nominations are for individual musicians, rather than by bands. The reasoning behind this, was that bands swap members, some musicians play with several bands. By the time this publishes, the musician could be with a totally different band! So this year, it's more about the individual players, rather than the band as a whole. That being said, while winners will get free PR for the band(s) they are currently in, non-winners will still get a mention. Remember this contest is not judged by their band; rather the individual performer's talent.

This contest is just a way for fans to say thank you for all your hard work, gigging' all over the place, making us happy, and trying to keep REAL Rock and Roll alive in Atlanta. We love you all, nominees and non-nominees and look forward to your next show!
\m/\m/ Metalin' Mary


Criteria for judging:
✓ Live stage persona
✓ Talent on their specific instrument
✓ Extra points for instrumentalists that can sing too
✓ Crowd interaction/schmoozing On and off stage
✓ Rock party atmosphere
✓ Over all look (as it applies: costumes, sexiness, performer impersonation, etc.)
✓ Bang for a buck (i.e. worth the cover charge and tab?)
✓ Most fan nominations
✓ Must be ATL metro based
✓ Must have been viewed at at least 2 different shows at 2 different venues
⁃ (hey everyone has a good show and a bad show; small venues and big venues)


The nominees are:

Bass - JimmyB, Doug Ballard, Eric Spangler, Gary Stone, Leigh Westee, Eddie Smith (a.k.a. Will Knott)

Guitar - Rich Lebo, John Michael, Scott Banks, Nicky Ford, Scott Farmer, Russ Wages, Rich Ward, Chuck Fields , Brian Cain, Davay Ray

Drums - Steve Carmichael, Chris Stone, Chad Wedlake, Jerry Hermanson

Front(wo)man/Vox - Matt Weber, Jay Dozer, David Jaynes, Mack Mullins, Eddie Smith, Bambi Lynn

Keyboard: Matt Boos, Joel Hayes


Winners
This was so difficult. I received emails wishing me luck and how hard it was for them to pick the best. There is so much talent here in Atlanta and I want you and your band to be recognized for it. This is also a great way to network. I hope this brings you many more fans, maybe a record deal or two, or an appearance on That Metal Show; you just never know! Enjoy and I hope to see your shows in the coming year! \m/\m/ Metalin' Mary

Bass - It came down to Doug Ballard vs. Jimmy Botsford. Each possesses a quality that the other doesn't. But with Jimmy Botsford's ever evolving vocals, his background vox gave him the tiny lead over Doug Ballard.

Guitar - Now it's getting real tough. Most of the nominations were for this category. With the criteria excluded most, we got it down to three guitarists: Scott Banks, Nicky Ford, & Davay Ray. Nicky Ford wins hands down for his equipment, song versatility, vocals, playing ability, and history/knowledge.

Drums - This was the most difficult decision as our drummers are fairly well hidden (well, all but one; you know who you are, ha!). That makes it difficult to assess drummers, but we truly made the effort to watch them play. Chad Wedlake tips the scales with his sweet harmonies and songwriting ability. I hope to hear more of his voice in the coming year.

Front(ow)man/Vocals - This category took the longest to go through, being as some were better singers than stage persona or visa versa. There was also the issue of whether to break this into 2 separate categories or not. For this year, we are keeping it together. It came down to Jay Dozer, Eddie Smith, and Bambi Lynn. Both Bambi and Eddie Smith play other instruments besides their killer vocals. Eddie Smith and Jay Dozer are so close vocally that Eddie Smith just inched out Jay Dozer by a hair. Eddie Smith's other talents include lead, rhythm, and bass guitars in addition to his songwriting ability. Now how do you pick from such a talented group of people? Congratulations go out to Eddie Smith for best Vocals.

Keys - Joel Hayes wins best keyboardist for his huge contribution keeping Journey tunes alive.

Eddie Smith, Chad Wedlake, and Scott Banks are currently with the band Mad Margritt.
Jay Dozer and Jimmy Botsford are currently with the band Moby Dick.
Eric Spangler and Steve Carmichael are currently with the band RIFF RAFF.
Bambi Lynn is currently with the band Radio Cult.
Doug Ballard and Joel Hayes are currently with the Journey Tribute band Departure.
Nicky Ford is currently with the band Powerline.
Davay Ray is currently with the band The Breakfast Club.
Mack Mullins, Matthew Boos, Scott Farmer, Chris Stone, and Gary Stone are currently with the band Blizzard of Ozzy.
John Michael and Mat Weber are currently with the band 2 Finger Jester.
Leigh Westee is currently with the band Iron Mullet.
Russ Wages and Brian Cain are currently with the band 12 oz. Prophets.
Eddie Smith (a.k.a. Will Knott) is currently giggless.
Rich Lebo is currently with the band StandPoint.
Rich Ward is currently with the band Stuck Mojo and Fozzy.
Chuck Fields is currently giggless.
Jerry Hermanson is currently giggless.
David Jaynes is currently with the band Back N Black.

The first thing we did was to create a bucket of bands that were taken out of the running because they didn't fit the criteria. It is not anyone's fault, it just happened that way, thus helping to narrow the focus. The following bands either aren't ATL based, haven't been viewed live twice yet, or no one was nominated from their band, so they couldn't be in the official count. However, we still want to give them a mention as they are indeed very talented and in some cases could have easily won their slot.
Standpoint
Back N Black
Athens Band
Iron Mullet
Block Party
12 Oz. Prophets
Stuck Mojo
Fozzy
Branded with Fear
Holdcell
The 54 band
Girlz Girlz Girlz
Still Rain
2 Finger Jester
Blizzard of Ozzy
Eternal Hour
Sciatica
Dr. Feelgood

Best of Georgia-based Bands
2 Finger Jester

Best Freak Show/Halloween show (also won most nominations)
Blizzard of Ozzy

Best New Band on the Horizon
Eternal Hour

Best All around Party Band
Block Party

Best Adult Party Band
Radio Cult

Best Cover Band
Iron Mullet/Sciatica/Dr. Feelgood

Winners will receive a short interview type questioniarre to be posted for fans to read and learn more about you and your bands.
(PLEASE fill these out and return to me ASAP; so it can run with this article.)

==========================================

I need your website info Facebook/Myspace/Personal site for links from the contest to point to. Whatever you want to appear with your name in this interview.



In this note: Stand Point (notes), Leigh Westee (notes), Jim Botsford (notes), Joel Hayes (notes), TwoFinger Jester (notes), Tox Twins (notes), David Jaynes (notes), Eddie Smith (notes), Eddie Smith (notes), Doug Ballard (notes), John Michael (notes), Scott Farmer (notes), Nicky Ford (notes), Russ Wages (notes), Steve Carmichael (notes), Jason Dozer (notes), Bambi Lynn (notes), Eric Newcomer (notes)