Best R&B Performer
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35.31% G-Money*
Others with Votes (more than one):
* On the ballot | G-Money wears a lot of hats, literally and figuratively. But it’s the figurative hats that carry the most weight. G-Money, who picked up the Best R&B Performer Whammy for the second year in a row, (the G-Money Band won the reader’s poll award in 1997) realizes he’s in good company as a multiple winner. But he also has a keen sense of the somewhat troublesome aspect of being nominated as an individual, given the fact that he spends a good amount of time playing with the Fabulous Rhythm Kids. “I’m very honored to be in the same family of multiple winners with people like the Freak Brothers and Mike Conley,” he said. “I’m flattered.” At the same time, he wishes the guys he plays with, Dave Zych, Scott Byler and Mark Stein, could have a little more light shone on them, regular go-to-guys Lee Lewis and John Mazza, included. “I really wish the band would get nominated.” He’s right. But it’s also right to recognize G for the work he puts into the local music scene. As host of Monday night’s weekly G-MoneyÇs All Star Blues Jams, which he emceed first at Jimmy G’s Hot Spot, then at the Latchstring, and now at Mid City Grill, G has taken on a tightrope walk that constantly reminds him of the importance of humility. “Hosting the blues jams kind of fell into my lap,” he said. “It’s a hard job because on any given night I have to please the musicians and I also have to keep the music interesting for the people who are there to listen and have a good time. It doesn’t always work that way.” His dual role as emcee and hook means deciding who gets to play and when, and, if the chosen performer is losing the audience, when to cut it short. “Sometimes I have to be the bad guy. I try to be gracious and polite, but someone will always feel that G-Money is a so and so. I’m really trying to handle it well. I still look forward to Monday nights.” And he looks forward to gigs with the Fabulous Rhythm Kids with equal enthusiasm. “I lost the G-Money Band. It’s nice to be recognized. I don’t want to deny that. But I don’t want it to seem like I’m leaving my band. (Mark Hunter) |
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