The 2009 Cincinnati Entertainment Awards Show ended not even two hours ago at the Madison Theater in Covington, Kentucky. Over eighty bands were nominated in twenty different categories, which would ultimately represent the best in local music, as decided by critics, venue owners, radio personnel, fans and many countless others in between.

This year’s show featured standout performances from the Lions Rampant, Mark Utley & Magnolia Mountain, You, You’re Awesome, II Juicy, Small Time Crooks and Brian Olive. The event was hosted by Jen Dalton of Channel 12, and featured other keynote speakers like Dan McCabe of CityBeat Magazine, Jim Tarbell, Aaron Sharpe of WNKU, Marvin Hawkins, Elliot Ruther, and Kelly Thomas of the Rivertown Music Club, who gave a heartfelt speech about the Red McCormack Recording Grant Fund. This year’s recipient of the recording grant was Mark Utley and Magnolia Mountain.

Once again, congratulations to all of those who won, those who were nominated, and even those not nominated. Cincinnati has an exceptional music scene not just because of the talent and diversity, but also because of the continuing support of its devoted fans. You hear about places with strong music communities like New York City, Los Angeles, Nashville, New Orleans and Austin, but I like to think that those places don’t have quite the heart that we have here. There’s no reason Cincinnati can’t be on the same level as those cities. Let’s keep it growing!

2009 CEA Winners

Artist of the Year
Bad Veins

Album of the Year
The Seedy Seeds, Count the Days

New Artist of the Year
You, You’re Awesome

Alternative/Indie
The Seedy Seeds

Bluegrass
Rumpke Mountain Boys

Blues
J. Dorsey Blues Revival

Country
Dallas Moore

Experimental/Electronic
Chick Pimp, Coke Dealer at a Bar

Folk/Americana
The Tillers

Hip Hop
Eclipse

Jazz
Northside Jazz Ensemble

Metal/Hardcore
Beneath the Sky

Punk
The Frankl Project

R&B/Funk
Freekbass

Rock/Hard Rock
Buffalo Killers

Singer/Songwriter
Kim Taylor

World Music
The Pinstripes

Best Musical Ambassador for the City
Heartless Bastards

Best Live Act
The Seedy Seeds