More awards bullshit

(The cover of Port Folio Weekly featured nominee Sky Zentz, always a winner in my book)

Here's the full list of winners from Thursday night's Port Folio Local Music Awards. I'm posting this not because I think this necessarily represents the best or even the most popular groups/artists/personalities in Hampton Roads. In some cases I think they do, in others, they definitely do not. But these artists did generate Internet votes. Take the information for what it's worth.
Even one of the winners listed below -- who shall remain anonymous -- recently told me he thinks awards like this are more about driving traffic to Web sites than they are about honoring quality or achievement. "Sam, I try to focus on things in life that are real," he told me, "and this isn't one of them." He wasn't trying to be provocative or cool (like Eddie Vedder at the Grammys a few years ago). I believe he was just being honest.
That said, the awards do bring attention to local musicians and that, friends, what makes them worth at least a few seconds of your time.

Album of the Year -- "Pig Radio" by The Influence

Pop/Rock -- The Influence

Hard Rock/Metal -- Superock

Punk/Garage -- Jackmove

Acoustic/Folk -- JoAnna Lynne

Classical -- Norfolk Chamber Consort

Country/Americana -- Pawn Shop Lifters

Cover -- Social Chaos

Blues -- Black White Blues

Jazz -- John Toomey Trio

Hip-Hop/R&B -- The Fuzz Band

DJ/MC -- DJ Greg Again

Radio DJ -- Paul Shugrue of WHRV-FM (89.5)

Live Performance -- Jesse Chong Band