Dane101 is a proud partner of the Madison Area Music Awards.

The first round of voting is underway for the 2008 MAMAs and we need your help in getting the vote out.

All MAMA members are eligible to vote. Membership is a $5 contribution toward kids’ music programs and putting instruments in kids’ hands. To become a member visit: www.themamas.org

The first round of voting is a listen-and-rate system offering music fans the opportunity to hear more local music in one place than ever before.

Winners in the first round become nominees for the final round of voting, a traditional ballot-marking round. Nominees will be announced at the Brink Lounge on March 31st. This event includes live and silent auction items, door prizes, a wine-tasting sponsored by Tola Wine and entertainment provided by the Incidental String Quartet, the Ayperi Bellydancing Group, and a full set by last year’s Entertainer of the Year, Clear Blue Betty. Tickets for that event are on sale at the Brink Lounge or by contacting the MAMAs at infoc@ themamas.org or 250-2565.

The Lineup of Performers for the 2008 Madison Area Music Awards has been finalized!

MAMA, Inc. announces the performers for the May 10, 2008 Madison Area Music Awards to be held at the Barrymore Theater:

PALE YOUNG GENTLEMEN: A highlight of this year’s show will be a performance by the independent rock group Pale Young Gentlemen. This group has taken Madison, along with much of the country, by storm in 2007. Their self-titled debut album has received rave reviews across the nation and ended up on many independent rock best-of lists for the year. Anyone with any familiarity of the local music scene feels that PYG will soon be signed to a record deal. This performance will be enhanced by coupling the band with a string quartet made up of members of area schools to further emphasize the efforts by the MAMAs to support music programs in our schools. The Pale Young Gentlemen will appear right after the MAMAs at Mr. Roberts as one of the official MAMAs After-parties. http://www.myspace.com/paleyounggents

THE JESSI LYNN BAND: Thirteen-time Grammy nominee, Jessi Lynn, has written, co-produced and released three successful independent CDs. Her latest, Capturing A Moment -Live, includes songs inspired by Johnny Cash with the attitude of Hank Williams, Jr. A classic country sound mixed with an abundance of Sheryl Crow and Steve Earle. She has won three Madison Area Music Awards including Country Song of The Year and Country Artist of The Year (2006) as well as Album of the Year for You Ain't Seen Nothin' Like This (2005). With many other songwriting awards under her belt, Lynn has proven her worth as an independent artist and has been featured in numerous publications and compilations discs as well as the independent film, Gabriel, by Nic Woodward. Woodward also produced a DVD with Jessi Lynn to accompany her live” CD, which will be released in the spring of 2008. http://www.jessilynn.com

PROFOUND with L’IL BRAUGH: His real name is Eric T. Richards but he is known as the raspy-voiced MC called Profound aka King of Hearts. Profound’s lyrics explore the dynamics of self-love and self-redemption of a young man impacted by the adversities of society. Profound has a unique style of his own; his lyrics are not only personal but they touch those that can relate to his struggles. http://www.myspace.com/kohmadtown

These artists were previously announced as MAMA performers:

DEAR AUGUST: Dear August (f/k/a Box Elder) have risen steadily in popularity over the past several years. The alt-country sounds of the band are augmented by vocalist Adrienne Applegate who brings star power to the group’s stage presence. Dear August released their second full-length CD, Come In, Keep Dry, in 2007. Dear August will also perform right after the MAMAs at Mr. Roberts as one of the official MAMAs After-parties. http://www.dearaugust.com

STEPHANIE REARICK: Stephanie Rearick and her husband Jon Hain are co-owners of Mother Fool’s Coffeehouse on Williamson Street and have been on the Madison music scene for many years. Rearick, who is especially prolific, has released four solo albums and also serves on the ALRC as well as heading up the Dane County Timebank. Her latest release is entitled Democracy and is on her and her husband’s own label, Uvulittle. http://stephanierearick.com

WESTSIDE ANDY/MEL FORD BAND: Westside Andy and Mel Ford have been staples on the music scene for more than two decades. In 2007 the group released their first ever studio CD, Alley Cat. The band will also appear at the Harmony Bar immediately following the awards show at one of the official MAMA After-parties. http://www.westsideandy.com

THE MOTORZ: The Motorz are an independent rock band that is a favorite among musicians and fans alike. Their infectious blend of Midwestern rock fuses Cheap Trick with more aggressive flourishes in what defines the “Madison Sound” amongst rock players. The Motorz released not one, but two CDs early in 2007: All Day Long and its counterpart All Night Long. The Motorz will appear after the awards show at one of the official MAMA After-parties at a soon-to-be-confirmed location. http://www.themotorz.com

More information and announcements will be forthcoming on the other scheduled MAMA performers and the official after-parties.

Dates of note:

* 2/15/2008 thru 3/27/2008 - The first round of voting will run February 15th to March 27th. The first round of voting determines the nominees for the final round. We’ve made some rule changes to increase the number of individual nominees and lessen some of the multiple nominations that have occurred in the past. The new rules are posted in both the “News” and “FAQ” sections of the website at www.themamas.org. Voting is open to all MAMA musician members. Voting is also allowed for fans as long as they are members. We are working on adding other benefits to membership and hope to make an announcement on that soon.
* 3/31/2008 - The 2008 Nominees will be announced at the “MAMA Nominee Announcement Party” to be held at the Brink Lounge on March 31st. More information on that event will be forthcoming.
* Clear Blue Betty is now confirmed to play the Brink Lounge Event on March 31st.
* 4/1/2008 thru 4/30/2008 - The Final voting round will begin on April 1st and run through April 30th.
* 5/10/2008 - The winners will be announced at the 5th Annual Madison Area Music Awards Show, to be held on May 10th at the Barrymore Theater. More information on the main event will also be forthcoming, including the rest of this year’s performers.

Over the last three years, MAMA, Inc. has donated $20,000 in cash and musical instruments to youth music programs, both in the public school system and through other community programs in the Madison area. Our goal is to double that amount in 2008. As the organization grows we are beginning to plan programs and provide advocacy to keep music alive for the next generation.

MAMA, Inc. is a non-profit organization and donations can be made through our website: www.themamas.org.