First Annual North Bay Music Awards Ceremony and Show, the "NORBAYS," June 10th, 2005

Harmony Events, in association with the North Bay Bohemian, present the First Annual North Bay Music Awards 2005, "The NORBAYS," honoring the music and cultural heritage of the North Bay Area.

(PRWEB) April 27, 2005 -- Harmony Events, in association with the North Bay Bohemian, are pleased to announce the First Annual North Bay Music Awards, the NORBAYS," to be held Friday, June 10, at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. The event will honor the rich musical heritage and cultural diversity of the North Bay region and will serve to bring unity and community support to this area, which is fast becoming and influential musical and cultural Mecca.

By bringing together esteemed artists and leading music industry professionals actively participating in the enhancement of the North Bays artistic and cultural community, the awards will honor the best and brightest established stars and celebrate the brightest emerging talent.

NORBAY awards will be presented to musicians and industry professionals in a variety of categories, including rock, jazz, alternative, folk and world music. All have been nominated by a respected advisory board including more than 50 of the top industry professionals in the region. The final winners will be chosen by a reader's poll conducted in the April 27, 2005, issue of the North Bay Bohemian.

A portion of the event proceeds will benefit two local music-based charities: Musicians Helping Musicians and the Sonoma County Music Association's Music for Kids at Risk program.

I believe that the North Bay is the absolute best place in the world for creative energy. Lets have a celebration of what makes this area so special," said Mick Brigdon, President of Bill Graham Management. "Im very supportive of bringing the good people of this area together to celebrate all of the good things that have happened in the past and are happening now."

For purposes of this award, the North Bay geographic area is defined as stretching from the Golden Gate Bridge north to Humboldt and includes Marin, Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino and Lake counties, covering the widest talent net.

The night will begin with a gala benefit pre-show dinner and reception from 7pm to 9pm. The awards show will begin at 9pm, featuring awards presentations, celebrity guests and exciting live music performances by winners and nominees alike. Doug Smith, of KRSH Radio, will MC the awards show, which will feature presenters and performers from the North Bay music community, plus very special guests to be announced soon.

Tickets for the general public will be limited for the pre-show banquet but plentiful for the live awards show portion of the program.

Nominees for the NORBAYS have been submitted by the North Bay Music Awards Advisory Panel, including such notables as Bruce Cohn, manager of the Doobie Brothers; Mick Brigdon, President of Bill Graham Management and manager for Joe Satriani; Dean Katari, Program Director of KRSH 95.9FM; Howard Sapper of Domo Records; Sheila Groves, booking agent for the Mystic Theater; and dozens of other prominent people in the local music scene. The nominees will be published in the April 27, 2005, issue of the North Bay Bohemian and online at www.bohemian.com, where the public will be able to vote for the artists nominated.

The winners will be announced at the first annual NORBAY Awards on Friday, June 10. The positioning of the Norbays event as both an insider's poll and a people's choice award—will create a truly meaningful celebration of North Bay music and popular culture.

Based in Sonoma County, Harmony Events is the event production division of the Association for the Creative Endeavor (ACE), the non-profit organization that oversees the production of the Harmony Festival, Spirit of the Holiday Gift Faire, North Bay EcoFest and a variety of other cultural events throughout the region. The North Bay Bohemian is the regions leading arts and news publication. For more details and ticket information visit www.northbaymusicawards.com or www.bohemian.com, or call Harmony Events at 707-861-2035.

Tickets for the general public will be limited for the pre-show banquet but plentiful for the live awards show. Tickets by phone Inhouse ticketing 866-384-3060, www.inhouseticketing.com

Members of the North Bay Music Awards Executive Committee 2005 are:
Sean Ahearn: Director, Harmony Events & Earthdance
Mick Brigdon: President, BGM; Manager, Joe Satriani
Ken Brown: Sonoma City Council; former mayor
Bruce Cohn: Manager, Doobie Brothers
Billy Cohen: Booking agent, Labyrynth Productions and Last Day Saloon
Gretchen Giles: Editor, North Bay Bohemian
Sheila Groves: Director, Notable Talent / Mystic Theater
Frank Hayhurst: Zone Music & "Musicians Helping Musicians"
Colleen Kennedy: GM, Labyrinth Productions; board Bill Graham Foundation
Buzzy Martin: Director, "Music For Kids At Risk"
Scott McKeown: Director, Harmony Events & Mystic Beat Lounge
Rosemary Olson: Publisher, North Bay Bohemian
Bo Sapper: President, Extraordinaire Media
Morty Wiggins: President, Bayside Distribution / 33rd Street Records

Press Contact:
Sandra Weinstein
Tel: 707-373-4397
email: goddessstr@aol.com

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