By Manny Lopez | Downtown News
When the curtain goes up for the 2012 San Diego Music Awards on Aug. 13 at Humphrey’s by The Bay, more than 200 local artists in 27 categories will have been nominated for an award that has become more about giving than receiving.
Proceeds from the 22 nd annual event, which will feature performances by P.O.D., Unwritten Law, Dead Feather Moon, Euphoria Brass Band, Hills Like Elephants, Hyena, Mattson 2 and The Howls, will benefit the Guitars for Schools program, run by the San Diego Music Foundation since 1998. The program, developed in partnership with Taylor Guitars, has distributed instruments to over 35,000 students in public elementary schools throughout San Diego County, to date.
“From the beginning, it wasn’t so much about who won or lost, but more about the charitable aspect,” said Kevin Hellman, founder of the San Diego Music Awards and co-founder of the San Diego Music Foundation, the non-profit that organizes the annual award show. “The guitar is the most popular instrument in the world and most bands in town play guitar, so it’s become near and dear to their hearts.”
Candye Kane, an eight-time winner in the Best Blues category and 1998 Artist of the Year, echoed Hellman’s sentiments when she said that the SDMA’s are special, because they’re a fundraiser for students.
“It’s wonderful to say you’ve won awards,” Kane said. “But because it helps children, it’s more about the kindness than the actual win.”
This year Kane, who has been battling pancreatic cancer since 2007, will receive a special Courage in Music Award created in her honor. The Blues singer whose lyrics express courage, strength and optimism said that she is grateful for the outpouring of attention received during what she described as her “struggle with a life-threatening illness.”
Legendary jazz pianist Mike Wofford was chosen as the recipient of the 2012 Lifetime Award. Wofford, whose resume includes work with Ella Fitzgerald, John Lennon, James Brown, Sara Vaughan and the Jackson 5, said that he considers himself fortunate to be among the many notables who have received the award in the past.
“Winning awards is great, but it’s the purpose of the music awards that’s the crucial thing,” he said. “The funding that goes to the public schools is marvelous and needs to be done more with the state of education, budget cuts and funding problems. I think it all helps.”
Hellman did not wish to speculate on how much the event is expected to raise, but he did say that the figure is based on ticket sales, donations and sponsorships from advertisers.
“When a person comes up on stage to accept an award and says that they got their first guitar from the Guitars for Schools Program, you know we’ve come full circle,” said Hellman who added that he knows it will happen sooner or later.
Awards will be presented on the night of the show by San Diego media personalities from television and radio, as well as music industry professionals and executives.
More information on the San Diego Music Awards and the San Diego Music Foundation can be found at www.sandiegomusicfoundation.org or by calling 619-381-8789.
