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Best Country Music Performer 25.6% Dakota Sunrise*
Others with Votes (more than one):
* On the ballot |
Dakota Sunrise got the word about winning the Best Country Performer Whammy while at a studio rehearsing new, original material. The six-piece band had intended on coming to the awards ceremony, but, well ... “we forgot all about it,” said lead singer John Curran. “Somebody called and told us we won. I guess a friend of ours picked it up.” Curran said he had even reminded the band about the Whammys the previous night. “Then we said, so we’re rehearsing tomorrow?” We’ll call it an excused absence. After all, making music is what the Whammys are all about, right? Curran and bandmates Jack Martinez, Aaron and Matt Wood, Dallas McFarland and Brian Hitchcock have been Dakota Sunrise since May. Curran formerly headed up Renegade. The Wood brothers and Hitchcock used to be in High Noon, while Martinez, (who is the only Renegade holdover) and McFarland were in Sierra Shame. Renegade won Best County Whammys in 1998 and ‘99, a fact Curran also forgot. Again, we’ll excuse him for that, considering the band change and the fact that in those years there was no Whammy night, and the award was not the badge of recognition it is today. In fact, Curran said they have big plans for the plaque. “This is more meaningful,” he said. “We’re all going to sign it and hang it at Rock-n-Horse (also a Whammy winner this year). We may even move it around to the other places we play.” Curran knew from the time he was 12 that he wanted to play music and sing, when he stood on a bar and ripped off a few tunes to an appreciative audience. “It was at Little Turtle Lanes,” he said. “I played originals. I don’t remember those songs, though.” Dakota Sunrise play mostly Top 40 cover tunes, but, as the Whammy-night rehearsal session attests, originals are working their way increasingly into the lineup. Curran said the band is working up material for a new CD and the return of the Honda Goldwings Association to Fort Wayne. “We’re playing for them again this year,” Curran said. “The last time the Goldwings were in town we sold out all of our CDs. That’s what we were doing Thursday night, rehearing songs for the new CD. That and working out next year’s award.” (Mark Hunter) |
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