The 17th annual San Diego Music Awards return Monday, Sept. 17, to Viejas Concerts in the Park.
The event, celebrating the best in local music, will feature live performances by Jason Mraz, Reeve Oliver, Buck-O-Nine, Lady Dottie and the Diamonds, the Truckee Brothers and Pierce the Veil.
“We’ve had pretty much anybody and everybody who’s ‘made it’ at the show,” said Kevin Hellman, founder of the music awards.
The show raises funds for a local music charity while bringing together local musicians and industry professionals for a night of reconnecting with old friends and honoring San Diego’s musical talent.
“It’s more for the musician than the fan,” Hellman said. Though the event would sell more tickets if held on a weekend, he explained, musicians and venue staff would normally not be able to attend.
Proceeds from the awards show benefit the nonprofit Taylor Guitars for Schools Program. To date, more than 1,100 Baby Taylor Guitars have been donated to dozens of San Diego County elementary schools from money earned at the awards, supplementing school musical programs.
Hellman said he is looking forward within the next few years for the first generation of kids who learned to play on guitars donated from the program to be up on stage at the awards.
Nominees were selected by a panel of the San Diego Music Academy, a group of music industry professionals. Winners will be determined by online voting.
Among the nominees are Pinback, Switchfoot, and Angels & Airwaves.
Receiving the 2007 Lifetime Achievement Award will be Nick Reynolds of the Kingston Trio.
The San Diego Music Awards started in 1991 as a small event originally held at the Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla, when, as Hellman said, the local music scene was just beginning to blossom. New venues had recently opened, and soon to be internationally acclaimed bands were just getting their start.
Eventually as the awards show grew in popularity, it moved to Humphrey’s By the Bay, where it was held for nine years. Last year after growing out of that venue, the show moved to Viejas in Alpine.
The event is sponsored by the San Diego Music Foundation, a nonprofit formed to support local musician development and training. The foundation was founded by Hellman, associate publisher of CityBeat (formerly SLAMM music magazine), Al Guerra, local music advocate and radio personality, Chad Waldorf who works in booking and promotions for the Belly Up in Solana Beach, Ben Moore, a San Diego entertainment attorney, and Bryan Spevak, a local public relations manager with a background in the music industry.
Every year an acoustical music show is held prior to the awards. This will be Friday, Sept. 14, 7 p.m. at Claire de Lune Coffee Shop, 2906 University Ave. Thirty-two acoustical performers will play two stages. Tickets are $10.
Tickets for the all-ages San Diego Music Awards are available at Ticketmaster outlets, www.ticketmaster.com, or charge by phone (619) 220-TIXS. Hotel packages are available. For more information visit www.sdmusic-awards.com.