Cleveland Music Awards are celebrating local and regional music from Northeast Ohio and the surrounding area by not only presenting trophies, but by promoting the musical acts and venues that provide the soundtrack to the area’s live music scene. The awards feature categories including bands, musicians, singers, promoters, managers and live music venues that are the backbone of the Cleveland Music Community. The awards strive to feature local music in genres from Rock and Punk to Folk and Country.
Cleveland Music Awards (CLEMA’s) will be held Sunday, September 25th at Welcome to the Farm in Cleveland (1054 Old River Road, Cleveland, OH 44113) on Flats East bank. The event was moved from FWD Day + Nightclub due to weather. A portion of the proceeds from the awards show and merchandise will benefit Cleveland Rocks – Past Present and Future.
Here are the Country Music Award Nominees:
BRONX COUNTRY
“We are excited, honored and blessed to have been nominated for the Cleveland Music Awards “Best Country Band” category,” states Elmer “Tiny” Harden of Bronx Country. “It just makes us realize that everyone loves country music as much as we do and that means the world to us.”
The hard rockin’ country band uses the motto, “Kickin the Pop outta Country.” They perform at a lot of bike nights and were a part of Sandusky’s Ohio Bike Week, where they opened for Phil Vassar, The Kentucky Headhunters and John Michael Montgomery. They also perform at special events all over Northeast Ohio, including Quaker Steak and Lubes Bike Nites and events like the WGAR’s “Afternoon Saloon.”
The band has been invited to perform at the Cleveland Metro Parks events Edgewater Live and Twilight at the Zoo. They have appeared on the FOX8’s Morning show, and the Painesville Party in the Park.
COUNTRY REDFORD
Country Redford is an original country rock band from Northeast Ohio, who focus on bringing the party to to their shows. The band keeping the boots stomping throughout the night with their unique compilation of today’s top country music mixed with rock ‘n’ roll segues. Lyrically, their original music reflects the everyday joys and struggles of rural and suburban life here in Ohio. Musically, we blend our many influences from classic rock, alternative, and modern country into a laid-back feel with a bite.
Country Redford was established in 2013 by singer Scott Redford. The band has gone through some personnel changes since then, but has been together in its current form since 2017. Redford and the Davis brothers grew up in Ashtabula County and found each other through word of mouth with other local musicians. A position for drummer opened up and the Davis brothers drew in a long time band mate Thomas Clark. Soon after Chris Preneta was added to the line up as a second guitar player. The current Country Redford band has enjoyed much success in their local market and continues to play to fans in the Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania area.
THE SHOOTOUTS
“We’re honored to be nominated for a Cleveland Music Award,” shared Ryan Humbert of The Shootouts. “We don’t sound like the other bands in the category, or like anything heard on modern country radio nowadays, so this nomination means even more to us because of that,” he added. “It’s reassuring that we’re doing the right thing by being recognized for creating our own unique brand of traditional country and honky tonk.”
The last two years have been busy one’s for the band, and they are looking forward to 2023. The Shootouts will will be announcing soon the release of their next album, “Stampede,” produced by 10x Grammy-winning country music legend Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel. The album also features special guests Marty Stuart, Raul Malo of the Mavericks and more. “We’ll be dropping details on that soon and it will kick off an incredibly wild 2023 as we criss-cross the country promoting it,” states Humbert.”
WHISKEY BOUND
Whiskey Bound started off in their hometown of Wooster, Ohio back in 2015. The band plays a vast set list that covers Country and Southern Rock, to some Blues and Funk. The band tries to find the music that resonates with the crowds they perform for on the local bar circuit. Their high energy and fun shows and take crowd interactions to a new level by inviting their fans onstage to perform with them on the cowbell or tambourine. Whiskey Bound plays primarily in the Akron, Canton & Cleveland areas, but have been invited to perform all over Ohio and neighboring states.
“It was a wonderful surprise to be nominated for the Cleveland musical awards,” Chris Courteney Grabbe of Whiskey Bound admits. “I want to thank our fans for nominating us. Never in a million years did I think that we would be in the top four finalist for best country act. We are up against some awesome groups that we know and appreciate. I never thought we would be in the running with some of these top-notch players, that alone is an honor in itself. This has been a truly amazing year for Whiskey Bound. And we have everyone of our fans to thank for it. Thank you all we love you guys!”
