Congratulations to Carry Nation and Bellevue Suite for winning the 2007 WAMI battle of the bands showcases in Milwaukee and Kenosha/Racine.
Both acts will perform at the 27th Annual WAMI Awards Show.

A sincere thank you to all the acts that participated in these showcases.

WAMI is proud to bring you the first WAMI Showcase of 2006! Join us for a great night of local music from Milwaukee, Kenosha and the Fox Valley!

WAMI is proud to present four WAMI member bands at one great musical event! Join us and listen to the sounds of Twang Dragons, Aspen Drive, The Cocksmiths and the Rob Anthony Band at the historic Miramar Theatre (2844 North Oakland Avenue, Milwaukee) on Saturday, January 21, 2006, at 8 p.m.! Four great bands, a great organization and an awesome venue; all for only $5!

The show is ALL AGES with ALCOHOL for those over 21 years of age with proper ID! There's no reason to miss this concert.

PLEASE NOTE: This is not a request for bands to play. This is a show announcement!

We are pleased to announce that the fine folks at Potawatomi Bingo Casino are offering FREE concerts at the Northern Lights Theater EVERY Friday from
April 8th - April 29th. All Shows begin at 8:30 PM.

Join them, and us, for great live music featuring the following:

April 8:

• Crazy Man's Basement [web link]
• Boxkar [web link]
• Five Card Studs [web link]

April 15:
Singer/Songwriters Night

• Marc Ballini [web link]
• Daryl Stuermer - Kostia [web link]
• Patrick Peterson (The Pipe Circus) [web link]
• Rob Anthony [web link]
• Ryan McIntyre (formerly with EXIT) [web link]

April 22:

• Copper Box [web link]
• Johnny Wad [web link]
• Something To Do [web link]

April 29:

Kerry McConaway & The Element [web link]

Geoff Landon & The Wolfpack [web link]

Southbound [web link]

What: Sleighriders Benefit Show and Silent Auction
When: December 20, 2004
Where: shank Hall, 1434 N. Farwell Avenue, Milwaukee
Cost: $10
Who: partial list of performers include:

• Bun E Carlos from Cheap Trick
• Eddie Butts from the Eddie Butts Band
• Xeno and Steve Grimm from Bad Boy
• Scott Finch, Peter Alt and Greg Slavik from Blue Hand
• The SpeakEasy Horns
• Joe Hite from The Boogie Men
• Chris Hanson and Joe Ketchum from the Chris Hanson Band
• Brook St James from The Toys
• Annie Denison from the Jazz Orphans
• Warren Wiegratz from Streetlife
• Rachel Trapp and Tommy Greywolf from No Strings Attached
• Char Fiore from Pretty Grimm
• Steve Cohen
• Sigmund Snopek
• Scott Stephan
• Bob Griffin from the Bodeans
• Randy Strumberger from The Vibe

Playing tributes to Ray Charles and Rodney Dangerfield, the band will feature:

• An eight piece horn section
• A four piece string section
• Two or more drummers
• Five guitar players

Opening acts are The Bugs and The Wigs

Why: About 20-25 years ago, a group of well known Milwaukee area musicians led by founder John Marcelli got together to do a benefit for what was then an infant organization called the Penfield Children's Center. This group, dubbing themselves "Sleighriders" (because the benefit was held around Christmas) was comprised of many musicians including the likes of Xeno (Bad Boy and original Cheap Trick vocalist), Sigmund Snopek, Scott Finch, and other local- regional guests and luminaries of the '80s. The benefit was an annual event for years, raising tens of thousands of dollars and community visibility for Penfield. Then, a few years ago, Sleighriders fell by the wayside.

Enter Xeno and Steve Grimm 2004 to resurrect the Sleighriders idea. Grimm, also a Berklee School of Music graduate continues, "What was appropriate then, still applies today. We have a commitment as music community to use our names and talents to uplift a next generation of talent. This isn't about visibility for us, it's about the kids of today deserving a chance and receiving a support system. We have that responsibility, we have that capability."

The beneficiary of this Sleighriders show will be SafeZone Community Art Center, a three year old near Westside project that provides free instruments and music lessons to 4th and 5th graders who might not otherwise have the opportunity to perform. Like the original beneficiary of Sleighriders, SafeZone is another infant organization struggling for support and visibility. SafeZone serves approximately 30-40 students this year in the Washington Heights area and is overseen by a volunteer board of community, church, parents, and business people. The organization came to the attention of Sleighriders organizers because of its focus on children and its motto, "unleashing the God given gifts of children." To date, SafeZone has received support from local foundations, small businesses, private donors, several service organizations, Ziegler Kettle Moraine Jazz Festival, the Jazz In the Park 2003-2004 compilation CD, and WAMI among others.

All musicians are donating their services, 97.3 The Brew will be radio presenter, and an auction on site will enhance revenues over and above door proceeds.

Courtesy of event site and shankhall.com

Newest board member, Lance Shellman, and the great folks at Mill Creek Blues are busy coordinating their first WAMI Showcase. We can't share all the details yet, but we can tell you this:

Date: December 3, 2004
Location: Duh! Mill Creek Blues: 417 W. College Avenue, Appleton -(920) 738-7408 [www.millcreekblues.com]

The night's entertainment is:

• 9:30-10:30 p.m.-- Verona Grove from Oshkosh
• 11:00-12:00 p.m. -- Something Phonic from Oshkosh [website]
• 12:30-1:30 a.m. -- Mighty Short Bus from Madison [website]

Check back often. More details will be posted soon!