2007 Boston Music Awards, the 20th Anniversary

The Boston Music Awards is the longest running regional music awards in the United States. Since 1987, the BMAs have celebrated local musicians across multiple genres
Founded in 1987, The Boston Music Awards is an annual set of music awards that showcase the very best talent in and around the Massachusetts area. 2017 marks the 30th anniversary of the awards. The year 2007 marked the marked the 30th anniversary of the awards.

This was their official website in 2007.

The current website for the Boston Music Awards can be found t: http://bostonmusicawards.com

Boston Music Awards, 20th Anniversary, December 1, 2007
At the Orpheum Theater

Nominees are selected by our Nomination Committee Members (Nom Com). We send our Nom Com an open ballot form where they write in their picks across all award categories. The six artists in each category who receive the most write-in’s become nominees for that year.

Public voting ended on November 16, with more than 190,000 votes cast online. Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on December 1. Thanks to all the fans for your support.

Our Nominating Committee is made up of people in the City who not only live and breathe music, but make a living at it.

Our Nomination Committee currently consists of approximately 400 members including, but not limited to, Music Editors/Journalists, Promoters and Agents, Radio Programmers and DJs, Music Business Executives, Music Promotions/Publicists, Artist Managers, Music Producers, Tour Managers, Music Attorneys, Label Executives, and Professors of Music. Once the finalists are announced the voting begins. The vote is open to the public, who make up 50% of the vote. The other 50% is from the Nomination Committee. The finalist in each category with the most votes wins.

"I learned some amazing facts about these kinds of talent awards that seem sometimes insane even if they also make sense on another level. Like the Grammys or Academy Awards, members of the industry itself do all the nominating, voting and rule making. One thing about these specific awards was desire to include not only professionals but also judges who were totally outside the sphere of the profession. That is how Benjamin Pred became a judge. Granted he's a well known figure - a former Queens Assistant District Attorney and now an imminent NYC corporate lawyer - but he is admittedly ignorant regarding the standards that make for a great performance other than what turns him on. I guess that's what they were going for - someone's whose gut response could be used and perhaps calibrated to determine the most worthy of the award. Perhaps some day I'll be chosen if I'm famous or influential enough." Kirsty Hunt

Live performances by
Bobby Brown, Sully Erna of Godsmack, Augustana, JoJo, The Click Five, Lori McKenna, Matt Nathanson, Martin Sexton, Peter Gammons, James Montgomery, Monster Mike Welch, Johnny A, Special Teamz (featuring Edo G, Slaine, Jaysun), Township, and more, and Appearances by Special Guests Joey Kramer and Tom Hamilton of Aerosmith, Christopher Guest, the Dogmatics and others.

Congratulations to all the 2007 Boston Music Awards winners.

Outstanding Rock Band of the Year
Bang Camaro

Outstanding Singer/Songwriter of the Year
Josh Ritter

Outstanding Rap/Hip-Hop Act of the Year
Mr. Lif

Album of the Year (Indie)
Martin Sexton - "Seeds"

Album of the Year (Major)
Lori McKenna - "Unglamorous"

Local Female Vocalist of the Year
Sarah Borges

Local Male Vocalist of the Year
Ryan Montbleau

Outstanding Live Act of the Year
State Radio

Outstanding Folk Act of the Year
Chris Smither

Local Song of the Year
Bang Camaro - "Pleasure Pleasure"

National Male Vocalist of the Year
Matt Nathanson

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The stage at the Orpheum Theater in Boston was full of Berklee alumni as the 2007 Boston Music Awards celebrated their 20th Anniversary.

Best New Act of the Year: KID:NAP:KIN
Jamila Weaver '05, Dan Ellis '05, Patrick Hanlin '05

Outstanding Pop Act of the Year: The Click Five
Kyle Patrick, Ethan Mentzer '04, Ben Romans '03, Joey Zehr '04, Joe Guese '02

Local Song of the Year and Outstanding Rock Band of the Year: Bang Camaro
Maclaine Deimer '03, Glen Fant '05

Lori McKenna

Winner | 2007 | Album of the Year (Major)

McKenna started writing songs as a teenager, and became a professional songwriter at the age of 27, when she was already married and had three children. She began singing at open mike nights in Boston, notably at the Blackthorn Tavern in nearby Easton, and eventually at her own shows. At the time, close friend was working for a local moving company, and when the experienced Annapolis movers were hired by Gabriel Unger to move him from Maryland to Boston, the friend convinced Unger to listen to McKenna's demo, starting a chain of events that ultimately lead to a long term managerial relationship.

Working with her then manager Gabriel Unger, McKenna released four critically acclaimed independent CDs: Paper Wings and Halos(produced by Seth Connelly), Pieces of Me (produced by Crit Harmon), The Kitchen Tapes (self-produced demos), and Bittertown (produced by Lorne Entress). During this period she recorded for Signature Sounds, won awards from ASCAP and the Boston Music Awards, performed at the Sundance Film Festival, the Newport Folk Festival and played many sold-out venues in the Northeast.

In 2004 McKenna signed a publishing deal with Nashville’s Harlan Howard Music after fellow singer-songwriter Mary Gauthier shared McKenna’s Bittertown with Melanie Howard. McKenna gained more attention in 2005, when Faith Hill recorded covers of four of McKenna’s songs – three of which (including the title track) appeared on Hill’s 2005 release Fireflies, the fourth as an exclusive to the iTunes Store.

McKenna parlayed her contribution to Hill’s Fireflies into both an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show along with Hill, and a record deal with Warner Brothers Nashville. WB soon re-released McKenna’s Bittertown on its label. In 2007, McKenna toured with Hill and Tim McGraw on the Soul2Soul Tour, accompanied by singer-songwriter/instrumentalist Mark Erelli and guitarist Russell Chudnofsky.

In addition to her own albums, McKenna has contributed a cover of Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes” to the 2005 “High School Reunion” compilation. In 2007, McKenna recorded a cover of Neil Young’s “The Needle And The Damage Done” for the American Laundromat Records benefit CD Cinnamon Girl – Women Artists Cover Neil Young For Charity. Also in 2007, McKenna helped write “Most of Me”, “Latest Mistake” and “Can’t You Just Adore Her?” on Mandy Moore’s album Wild Hope. Also of note, Lori McKenna’s song “Bible Song” from Bittertown was recorded by country artist Sara Evans on her ‘Real Fine Place’ album released in 2005. Lori also contributed a song titled “I’m Workin’”, recorded by Tim McGraw on his Let It Go album, released in 2007, as well as a song entitled “True Believer”, recorded by Jimmy Wayne on his 2008 album, Do You Believe Me Now.

Her latest album, Unglamorous, was released on August 14, 2007, from Warner Bros. Nashville and McGraw and noted Nashville producer Byron Gallimore’s label, Stylesonic Records. The album has released two non-charting singles. McKenna parted ways with Warner Bros. in 2008.

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Crit Harmon

Local Producer of the Year

Crit Harmon is a songwriter and music producer, writing music for film and television, producing CD’s for recording artists, and consulting nationally on a variety of music related topics including production, song writing and publishing.

In 2007 he was named “Best Producer” at the Boston Music Awards, and in the same year the Martin Sexton CD “Seeds”, which he co produced with Martin Sexton, won ‘Independent Album of the Year”

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Killswitch Engage

Act of the Year
Killswitch Engage is an American metalcore band from Westfield, Massachusetts, formed in 1999 after the disbandment of Overcast and Aftershock. Killswitch Engage’s current lineup consists of vocalist Howard Jones, bassist Mike D’Antonio, guitarists Joel Stroetzel and Adam...

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Martin Sexton - Seeds

Album of the Year (Indie)
Sexton grew up the tenth of twelve children in a working class Irish-American family. He acquired his first guitar, a Sears & Roebuck acoustic, at the age of 14 and later played in local rock ‘n roll bands. Looking to find his own voice, he left home when he was 22 years old and began busking as a street performer in Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In November 1990, with $800 and some borrowed equipment, Sexton recorded a demo cassette In the Journey, eventually selling more than 20,000 copies, mostly at local gigs. His strong live performances won him a Boston Music Award for “Best New Artist” and led to.

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Kid.Nap.Kin

Best Act of the Year
KID:NAP:KIN will change the way you like your rock. Stop listening in vain for your next fix, the pounding odd-meter rhythms and jazz-infused melodies that make your soul turn, come from KID:NAP:KIN. Boston’s Aggro Rock Assault has been making a name for themselves on the scene for three...

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Sarah Borges

Local Female Vocalist of the Year
Sarah Borges is a rock and roll musician from Taunton, Massachusetts, signed to Sugar Hill Records. Her music is described as “walking that fine line between punk and country”. Borges grew up in Taunton, a city south of Boston in the third generation of a Portuguese (hence the hard...

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Ryan Montbleau

Local Male Vocalist of the Year
Ryan Montbleau was born and raised in the town of Peabody, Massachusetts. Although he received his first guitar at the age of nine, it was not until attending college at Villanova University that he seriously began to focus on his playing and songwriting. He began singing during the last.

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Bang Camaro Pleasure Pleasure

Local Song of the Year
Boston’s Bang Camaro is a four-piece band with a gang of anywhere from six to twenty lead singers at live performances. The Boston Phoenix describes them as “Headbanger’s Ball meets Polyphonic Spree.” The boys mix strut, energy, and arena rock hooks with indie-rock sensibilities, solid musicianship and blazing solos. They have been featured in Rolling Stone, Spin, Billboard Magazine, MTV News, Playgirl, as well as papers ranging from the Boston Globe to the Chicago Tribune. Their music has been heard at the MTV Movie Awards, in commercials, movie soundtracks, and is becoming a staple at Boston Celtics and Bruins games. This summer they were picked to kick off Lollapalooza 2008 in Chicago.
This truly independent band has been blazing a new path in the current unsure music industry. Songs from their first self-titled album have been included in video games such as Guitar Hero II and Rock Band. In 2007, it cracked the CMJ top 50. Their song “Night Lies,” the leadoff single from their forthcoming album “Bang Camaro II,” is featured in Rock Band 2. In addition, they are currently releasing music every other “Camaro Thursday” on their MySpace page and website through the end of 2008.
With help from international booking agency The Agency Group, Bang Camaro has completed more than three national tours and continue to bring their brand of rock mayhem to every big and small town across the US. “Bang Camaro II” will be released in the Northeast in mid-November 2008 and will be distributed nationally in early 2009. With the help of their national street team, The Bang Camarions, the band is poised to take over the world, one scream at a time.

More Background On The Boston Music Awards

For nearly four decades, the Boston Music Awards (BMAs) have stood as a vital touchstone in the New England music community, recognizing, amplifying, and celebrating the achievements and influence of artists rooted in the Massachusetts scene. More than a ceremony, the BMAs serve as an annual rallying point for musicians, fans, industry leaders, and cultural tastemakers, reflecting both the city’s rich musical heritage and its forward-thinking spirit.

This in-depth article will fully familiarize readers with the Boston Music Awards—covering their history, structure, ownership, award process, venues, notable winners, cultural significance, and ongoing impact on the local and national music scenes.

Ownership, Organization, and Leadership

The Boston Music Awards were founded in 1987 by a coalition of Boston-based music industry professionals driven to establish a dedicated stage for regional artists who were too often overlooked in national spotlights. Over time, the leadership and operational structure evolved to match the growing ambitions of the event.

Founders & Early Years: Originally launched by music promoters and journalists who sought to champion Boston’s unique creative energy.
Recent Ownership: As of the mid-2010s, the BMAs have been managed by experienced music business professionals, who have expanded outreach, modernized the voting system, and brought in new sponsors from the arts, hospitality, technology, and corporate sectors.
Organizational Mission: The stated mission is to recognize achievement in all genres of music, support emerging talent, and foster a strong sense of community ownership and pride.

Event Location, Venues, and Reach

Over the years, the Boston Music Awards ceremonies have been hosted at some of the city’s most iconic venues, adding prestige and drawing attention to the event.

Venues: Past ceremonies have taken place at esteemed locations such as The Orpheum Theatre, House of Blues, Avalon Ballroom, Liberty Hotel, and Big Night Live. These sites reflect both the BMAs’ prominence and their closeness to Boston’s cultural pulse.
Regional Impact: Centered in Boston, the BMAs honor artists from across Massachusetts and the greater New England region, often pulling from exurban communities and neighboring states.

Popularity and Audience

The BMAs attract thousands of attendees—including musicians, fans, press, radio personalities, academics, and music industry executives. Publicity surrounding the event ranges from local newspapers to major national outlets, underlining its high profile.

Public Engagement: In some years, the public voting process has tallied well over 190,000 individual votes, showcasing wide community interest.
Audience Demographics: Attendees and voters include a broad cross-section of ages, backgrounds, and musical tastes, reflecting the city’s diverse artistic ecosystem.

Awards and Notable Winners

Selection and Voting Process

A hallmark of the BMAs is the balanced voting system:

Nomination Committee: Comprised of roughly 400 seasoned professionals, including music journalists, radio executives, producers, agents, managers, publicists, and faculty from major music programs.
Public Voting: Since 2015, half of each award’s vote comes from the public, with committee votes making up the remainder. This ensures winners represent both professional recognition and fan acclaim.
Timeline: Nominations kick off in early fall, public voting follows, and winners are announced each December.
Transparency: The stakes and competitive nature, combined with community involvement, make each awards cycle a highly anticipated local event.

Examples of Past Winners

Throughout its history, the BMAs have spotlighted major local and national artists who began their journey in Boston or the surrounding areas. Past recipients include:

Bang Camaro: Earned the Outstanding Rock Band of the Year and Local Song of the Year. Their music later reached video games and national tours.
Lori McKenna: Winner of Album of the Year (Major). Started as a Boston-based songwriter before gaining national acclaim, penning hits for Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, and appearing on major platforms.
Mr. Lif: Outstanding Rap/Hip-Hop Act, making waves both locally and in America's underground hip-hop scene.
Martin Sexton: Winner of Album of the Year (Indie), lauded for his work as a singer-songwriter who went from Boston busking to major festival stages.
Sarah Borges: Local Female Vocalist of the Year for her fresh take on genre-blending sound.
Ryan Montbleau: Local Male Vocalist of the Year, known for his heartfelt songwriting and dynamic performances.

The BMAs have also acknowledged the contributions of producers like Crit Harmon and acclaimed bands such as Killswitch Engage, who rose from the Massachusetts metal scene to worldwide success.

Press, Media Coverage, and Recognition

The Boston Music Awards routinely secure coverage from local, regional, and national media outlets:

Local Press: Boston Globe, Boston Herald, WBUR, Boston Magazine, and The Boston Phoenix are mainstays in event reporting, interviews, winner announcements, and pre-event profiles.
National Recognition: Outlets such as MTV News, Rolling Stone, Spin Magazine, and Billboard have featured BMA winners and nominees, helping to propel Boston acts onto the national stage.
Digital & Social Media: In recent years, the BMAs have built substantial followings via social networks, fueling local buzz and engaging the next generation of fans and musicians.

Menus, Hospitality, and Event Experience

While the Boston Music Awards is not a culinary event, the ceremony frequently partners with leading Boston food vendors, breweries, and hospitality brands to elevate attendee experiences. VIP packages may feature curated food-and-drink offerings, while after-parties connect attendees with celebrated local venues and nightlife.

Cultural & Social Significance

Roles in Boston’s Artistic Identity

Community Building: The BMAs foster vital connections among musicians, fans, businesses, and institutions, sustaining relationships that define Boston’s creative class.
Launching Careers: Winners and nominees frequently go on to enjoy national and global recognition, validating Boston’s role as an incubator of talent.
Genre Evolution: The BMAs continuously adapt new categories for emergent genres, championing diversity and creative innovation at every level.

Social Impact

Inclusivity: The voting system (split between committee and public) increases transparency and encourages grassroots participation.
Diversity: Recognizing artists from hip-hop to folk, pop, electronic, and world music, the BMAs amplify voices from Boston’s broad spectrum of identities and backgrounds.
Economic Driver: By increasing the visibility of independent musicians and venues, the BMAs help drive local economic activity and spark interest in Boston’s live music sector, record labels, and production studios.

History & Evolution

Founding & Milestones

1987 Inception: Created to fill a void in the New England region for institutional recognition of local music.
Growth & Expansion: The BMAs matured in scale, adopting public voting, expanding categories, and partnering with other cultural organizations.
Adaptation: Even in challenging years, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the BMAs have pivoted to virtual ceremonies, digital engagement, and new formats to keep the tradition alive.
Anniversary Events: Special milestone years, like the 20th and 30th anniversaries, have hosted star-studded lineups and drawn attention from across the music industry.

Noteworthy Moments

Live Performances: Major artists (e.g., Bobby Brown, Godsmack’s Sully Erna, JoJo, The Click Five, Lori McKenna, Matt Nathanson, Special Teamz) have graced the awards stage, creating unforgettable events and driving anticipation for each ceremony.
Alumni Networks: Institutions such as Berklee College of Music feature prominently—many winners, nominees, and performers are Berklee alumni, further entwining the BMAs with the region’s music education legacy.

Specific Details, Insights, and Examples

Innovation: The BMAs routinely introduce new initiatives (such as programs like “617Peak”) to nurture up-and-coming talent.
Music Industry Impact: The awards encourage professional development by connecting musicians with record labels, managers, producers, and other key industry figures.
Community Voice: The inclusion of non-music professionals and influential local personalities in the nomination process brings unique perspectives and broadens the scope of judgment and recognition, honoring both technical skill and emotional impact.
Notable Recognitions: Contributions from artists like Lori McKenna, whose success began locally and blossomed nationally, showcase the BMAs’ effectiveness as a launching pad.

The Boston Music Awards remain a cornerstone of Boston’s identity—a living testament to the city’s musical innovation, diversity, and resilience. They amplify the region’s contributions to the global music landscape and nurture tomorrow’s stars. More than a ceremony, the BMAs are a community institution, reflecting and shaping the artistic voice of Boston and beyond.

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