As a local musician, Jason Martin knows all too well the grind of booking and playing local shows, saving for studio time and balancing music with a full-time job. He also knows that, for many San Antonio musicians, their work often goes unnoticed by the local masses.

So Martin, along with a few fellow musicians, banded to establish the first San Antonio Music Awards.

The awards, which were decided solely by public vote, pertain strictly to San Antonio, as those nominated must either reside in San Antonio or play here on a regular basis.

“There are a lot of bands working hard to get noticed, and there are a lot of very talented and amazing bands (in San Antonio),” Martin said. “It takes a lot of work, and it's a difficult business. We started this as a way of trying to honor those who have put in the effort, gone out there and performed.”

The winners, which were% announced on Jan. 12 via %MySpace (myspace.com/samusic awards), will get to play in one of two upcoming showcases. More acoustic-friendly music will be featured on Saturday, March 1, at Ruta Maya Riverwalk Coffee House, while more rock-themed, electric acts will showcase their work on Saturday, March 29, at Limelight.

“We were just looking to determine what best captures the spirit of San Antonio music,” Martin said. “That was basically our criteria.”

BEST MALE SOLO ARTIST
WINNER: Jason Gerard (myspace.com/jgerard)
OTHER NOMINEES: Josh Glenn, %P. Willie, Matt Barker

BEST FEMALE SOLO ARTIST
WINNER: Ashlee Rose (myspace.com/ashleerosemusic)
OTHER NOMINEES: Laura Marie, Alexis Anthony

BEST ROCK BAND
WINNER: Dog Men Poets (dogmenpoets.com)
OTHER NOMINEES: The Ashlee Rose Band

BEST INDIE BAND
WINNER: Buttercup (buttercult.com)
OTHER NOMINEES: Blowing Trees, Mira Radar, Satantonio

BEST PUNK BAND
WINNER: American Swine (myspace.com/americanswine420)
OTHER NOMINEES: Hombre Secreto, IRD

BEST INSTRUMENTAL BAND
WINNER: Mani Sierra (manisierra.ourhostsite.com)
OTHER NOMINEES: Sexto Sol

BEST JAZZ/FUSION BAND
WINNER: Synergy (myspace.com/brannonguitar)
OTHER NOMINEES: none

BEST ALTERNATIVE BAND
WINNER: IRD (myspace.com/ird)
OTHER NOMINEES: Blowing Trees, Jumping Monks

BEST SONGWRITER
WINNER: Laura Marie (lauramariemusic.com)
OTHER NOMINEES: John Garza, Josh Glenn, Chris Madden, P. Willie

BEST SONG
WINNER: “Let It Rain” (Ashlee Rose)
OTHER NOMINEES: “I Wanna Fly” (Jason Gerard), “You Set Me Free” (Jason Gerard), “Dark Cloud” (Hombre Secreto), “Loving Her Was Wrong” (IRD), “Another Dream” (IRD), “Won't You” (Jumping Monks), “Wait” (Laura Marie)
 

CLINT HALE | 210SA