HELL FREEZES OVER
Wisconsin Area Music Industry inducting STEVIE RACHELLE of TUFF into Hall of Fame
WISCONSIN AREA MUSIC INDUSTRY 38th AWARDS SHOW SET FOR SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 2018 IN APPLETON; THE 2018 WAMI HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES ARE INTRODUCED
MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin — The winners and nominees of the 38th annual Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI) Awards will be honored — alongside a remarkable slate of Hall of Fame inductees — when the annual WAMI Awards Show returns to Fox Cities Performing Arts Center on Sunday, April 15.
Tickets go on sale Feb. 2, 2018 at the Fox Cities PAC Box Office, or at www.foxcitiespac.com.
Ticket prices, prior to fees, are $15 for students and $29.50 for general admission. Individual VIP tickets are $60 and will be available at the ticket office or by phone at 920-730-3760. VIP tickets include front table seating and two drink tickets.
WAMI will present more than 35 awards to the finest in Wisconsin’s music industry. The show will feature live music performances and include the induction of this year’s WAMI Hall of Fame honorees, which feature blues guitarist Billy Flynn, hair metal artist Stevie Rachelle and swing-era jazz trumpeter Bunny Berigan.
ABOUT BILLY FLYNN: Green Bay native Billy Flynn built his name and reputation within that great American blues hub not far beneath the Wisconsin border. The guitarist found his home in the Chicago blues scene not long after finding his inspiration at a short-lived Green Bay club when just 14 years old. Flynn was discovered by Jimmy Dawkins at that club and went on to play in his band. Flynn played alongside Sunnyland Slim, Mighty Joe Young, Luther Allison and in the early 80s, was a regular with Jim Liban and the Futuramics. Toward the end of the decade, Flynn was playing with former Muddy Waters side musicans Pinetop Perkins, William Smith and Calvin Jones as part of the Legendary Blues Band. His latest solo album, “Lonesome Highway,” was released in 2017.
ABOUT STEVIE RACHELLE: Rachelle, an Oshkosh native, gave the Dairyland some representation amid the Aqua Net, eyeliner and power ballads of the glam metal era. Rachelle joined Tuff as vocalist in 1987. After paying their dues on the club scene, the band signed with Atlantic Records in 1990 and found success with their debut album, “What Comes Around … Goes Around.” Their power ballad, “I Hate Kissing You Goodbye,” peaked at the three spot on the Dial MTV countdown and Tuff toured alongside artists including Lita Ford, Dokken and Badlands. Rachelle founded the web magazine, “Metal Sludge” which continues to provide an outlet and community for glam fans. Another project demonstrated his home state, home team love. His Packer-centric parody act, Cheeseheads With Attitude, was a major part of the soundtrack during the Green and Gold’s mid 90s return to glory.
ABOUT BUNNY BERIGAN: Berigan was born in Hilbert in 1908, raised in Fox Lake and attended the University of Wisconsin before hitting the big time with his trumpet and unique jazz sound as the big band, swing era took America by storm. Before his passing at just 33 years old, Berigan’s trumpet was featured on hundreds of records alongside the era’s biggest names including Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey and Benny Goodman. Berigan went on to lead his own band and his 1937 recording, “I Can’t Get Started,” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1975.
WAMI members can cast their votes in each musical category through February 2. Wisconsin music fans, including non-WAMI members can vote for their favorites online via the WAMI People’s Choice Awards, accessed via the WAMI website: www.WAMImusic.com. Voting for the People’s Choice Awards begins Feb. 5 and ends March 5 at 11:59 p.m.
The Wisconsin Area Music Industry is a volunteer organization with a purpose to educate and recognize the achievements and accomplishments of individuals in the Wisconsin music industry. The group also provides opportunities for youth to perform in an annual Youth Music Showcase, while encouraging students and emerging artists by awarding scholarships to assist with their music education.
For more information, contact WAMI president Zoy Begos at 414-431-6621.
Wisconsin Area Music Industry @ WebSite – Twitter – Facebook
Tuff @ Facebook – Twitter – Instagram – eBay – Amazon – iTunes – Store
Stevie Rachelle @ Facebook 1 – Facebook 2 – iTunes – Tumblr – YouTube
Cheeseheads With Attitude @ Facebook – Twitter – iTunes – Packer’s Legends Cruise
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