Alaria Taylor

2:00pm - Groove Driven Folk/Rock Originals

Alaria Taylor is an award winning singer/songwriter with numerous regional and national awards including: Billboard Magazine Songwriting Contest, Songwriter of the Year: Songwriters of Wisconsin, Pop Songwriter of the Year: Wisconsin Composers Circle, Great American Love Song Contest, WAMI CD of the Year, WAMI Song of the Year nominee and many others. Most recently, she has been named director of the Milwaukee chapter of Chick Singer Night, the largest and longest running female singer showcase in America.

Nominated for...

Folk/Acoustic Group/Artist: 2008 WAMI Award

New Album: Unfinished Business

Go to Alaria's Website

www.myspace.com/alariataylor
www.chicksingernight.com
www.lunaguitars.com (click on artists)

New CD: Bread or Water on sale!:
www.CDBaby.com/alaria2
Unfinished Business: www.cdbaby.com/alaria

Listen to Alaira Taylor Now

2008 WAMI World Beat/ Reggae/ Ska

The Invaders

2:30pm - Ska

Coining the phrase “Brewtown Ska”, The Invaders are a Milwaukee-based ska institution that formed in 1987. The band went on hiatus in 1999 to explore new projects and reformed in 2006 with a new line-up. Recipients of numerous awards including a 1999 and 2000 WAMI for the “Ska Group” category, the band is nominated for a 2008 WAMI in the “World Beat/Reggae/Ska” category. Also receiving individual nominations are Ken Siegel for “Bassist,” Scottie Kallenbach for “Drummer,” Paul Rickert for “Keyboard Player,” Karl Landwehr and Mary Rodgers for “Reeds/Brass,” and Beth Wisniewski for “Specialty Instrumentalist.”

Nominated for...

World Beat/Reggae/Ska: 2008 WAMI Award

Go to The Invaders Website

Listen to The Invaders Now

2008 WAMI Americana/Rockabilly

The Liam Ford Band

3:00pm - Rockabilly

Milwaukee's premiere Rockabilly band combines the musicianship of four of the area's most respected players, with more than 100 years of performing experience between them! They've got a unique handle on the rhythms and moves that make American roots music so contagious.

“Bluegrass/Americana” categories,The Liam Ford Band performs rockabilly and Americana music.

Nominated for...

Americana/Rockabilly: 2008 WAMI Award

Go to
The Liam Ford Band Website

Listen to
The Liam Ford Band Now

In Black 'n White

3:30pm - Contemporary Adult/Reggae

In Black 'n White has entertained throughout the Midwest including regular performances at Summerfest, African World Festival, Navy pier and Farm Aid. Sharing the stage with such acts as Maxi Priest, Steel Pulse, Kool and the Gang, Inner Circle, Lucky Dube and Ringo Starr, In Black 'n White continues to bring crowds to their feet.

"We'll pull you in with our rhythm, keep you dancing with our groove and have you singing into the night."

Nominated for...

Pop/Adult Contemporary: 2008 WAMI Award

Go to In Black 'n White's Website

Listen to
In Black 'n White Now

Jack Grassel with Jill Jensen

4:00pm - Jazz

Jack Grassel is a local jazz guitar legend. The seven-time WAMI award winner for both "Jazz Guitarist" and "Guitarist of the Year" estimates he's played well over 10,000 gigs during his lengthy career. Grassel has played as a sideman with heavy hitters like Cab Calloway, Eartha Kitt, Tom Jones, and even Luciano Pavarotti.
Grassel and Jensen have been performing together since 1998. Jensen's expressive and sultry voice is a perfect complement to Grassel's graceful guitar. She honed her skills growing up in a home where the music of choice was swing era and jazz standards.

Nominated for...

Traditional Jazz Group/Artist: 2008 WAMI Award

Go to Jack Grassel's Website

Listen to Jack Grassel Now

2008 WAMI People's Choice - Southeastern Quandrant

2008 WAMI Pop/Adult Contemporary

2008 WAMI Bassist - Mike Spellman

Ronnie Nyles and Tallulah Who

4:30pm - Rock/Blues

Ronnie brings extraordinary energy and personal style to the stage ...as she takes us to another world and we find ourselves lost in her music. Ronnie has a riveting vocal style all her own—that brings emotion with every song she sings

Nominated for 5 2008 WAMI Awards including Best Solo, Best Female, Song categories

Go to Ronnie Nyles' Website

Listen to Ronnie Nyles Now

Tallulah Who, the 5 piece group that rocks out the classics of Led Zeppelin, Van Halen and The Pretenders and then turns on a dime taking you on another musical journey with today's top 40.

Nominated for...

Bassist, Drummer, Producer: 2008 WAMI Award

Check out Tallulah Who Now

2008 WAMI Group of the Year

Hindsight

5:00pm - Rock

Hindsight is WAMI nominated for the Group of The Year and is also up for best male vocalist (Michael Wendland) and drummer (Todd Hellman). The up-and-coming pop band won a WAMI last year for Best New Artist/Band and is poised for big time success.

The group cites Matchbox 20, O.A.R., The Goo Goo Dolls, The Police, and The Dave Matthews Band as just a few of a long list of influences. Tracks from Hindsight's latest CD "My World", recorded partly at the legendary Smart Studios in Madison, echo those influences. Catchy hooks and strong vocals combine to create Hindsight's sound.

Nominated for...

Group of the Year, Male Vocalist, Drummer: 2008 WAMI Award

Go to Hindsight's Website

Listen to Hindsight Now

Kojo

5:30pm - Reggae

Kojo performs a blend of reggae, ska, and dancehall and was one of the first Caribbean bands formed in Wisconsin. Members of the band have opened for acts including The Police, Joan Jett, and U2. Kojo has been nominated for a WAMI over 10 times and has won six awards in the “Reggae Band,” “Song,” and “Songwriter” categories. The band is nominated for a 2008 WAMI in the “World Beat/Reggae/Ska” category

Nominated for...

World Beat/Reggae/Ska: 2008 WAMI Award

Go to Kojo's Website

Listen to Kojo Now

The Toys

6:00pm - Contemporary Adult/Cover

Often referred to as "Milwaukee's Cover Band," The Toys rock out to the hits of the 70's, 80's, and 90's. Playing fan favorites like "Summer of '69" and "Jesse's Girl" draws a strong following and a great party scene. Covers of current Top-40 songs, 80's rock, and a smattering of country keep fans on their feet through every set The Toys play. The band's catalog includes an eclectic mix of Loverboy, Journey, Ozzy Osbourne, Weezer, Erasure, Pink Floyd and even John Denver.

Nominated for...

Cover Band: 2008 WAMI Award

Go to The Toys' Website

Listen to The Toys Now

Check out the songs they sing

The Rave Hall

The namesake Rave Hall features stellar production capabilities and America's coolest dressing rooms, as proclaimed by the likes of Bush's Gavin Rossdale (but you'll just have to take our word for that). If mobility is more your style, mull around the expansive general admission area on the main floor, which somehow manages to offer a clear view from every imaginable square foot. As one of the best and busiest venues in America, The Rave welcomes almost every hot major act, running the gamut from moe., Bob Weir and John Mayer to Angels and Airwaves, Sevendust, GWAR and Regina Spektor. !

Directions to The Rave

Thank you to the WAMI's for helping JAM 4 S.A.M. with securing
amazing bands and performers for this year's DOUBLE WAMI JAM 4 S.A.M.I Benefit Concert.

A special thanks to Barbara Wagner, board member of the WAMI's for putting this together.

The 28th Annual WAMI Awards show ceremony is Monday, April 28, at Turner Hall, 1034 N. 4th St. Ticket price $40.00

See This Year's Nominees