2012 ABoT Music Awards

Album of the Year

Young Blood Rising -- The Del Toros

With Young Blood Rising, The Del Toros not only prove last year's route of the ABoT Music awards wasn't a fluke, they also confirm that their debut only scratched the surface of what they could do. With the band's chemistry now solidified, this sophomore effort packs a bigger punch, wrapping Dave Rumsey's lyrics with more concise garage rock energy and classic guitar rock sensibilities that fans connected with immediately, wrapping up consecutive Album of the Year honors

Other Favorites: We the Ghost, My Mix Tape Summer; FM Pilots, We Belong; Phillip Zoellner Band, Lean On.

Artist of the Year

Brandon Clark

For the third year in a row, one of Tulsa's most versatile and hard working musicians gets due recognition. He may have scaled back his schedule a bit, only on par to play 250-275 shows this year instead of 300+, but he keeps busy with band and solo gigs and does Tulsa proud every time.

Other Favorites: Kristin Nichole, Olivia Duhon, Chase Stites

Band of the Year

Kristin Nicole Band

After cleaning house at last year's ABoT Music Awards, Kristin Nicole band picks up where it left off by winning the one it left behind as the fans come through to claim the band's perch.

Other Favorites: The Del Toros, We the Ghost, FM Pilots

Best Blues/R&B

Wanda Watson Band

Although this year's race included a pair of Tulsa's hottest guitar slingers and a quickly rising R&B siren, some things are just meant to be. In the end, it's Tulsa's reigning "Queen of the Blues" who pulls out a repeat win as Tulsa's best Blues/R&B act.

Other Favorites: Dustin Pittsley, Seranade, Little Joe McLerran

Best Christian Act

Stars Go Dim

Although the band has gone through some transition of members in the past year, Stars Go Dim repeats as Best Christian act, continuing to build off of the success of the band's sophomore release, Between Here and Now, and singles "Love Like I Mean it", "Hesitate" and the title track.

Other Favorites: Angie Cockrell, Ben & Noelle Kilgore, Scales of Motion

Classical

Tulsa Symphony Orchestra

Urban Tulsa readers went the traditional route this year, giving the Tulsa Symphony its due respect for staying the course and being a cornerstone of our city's foundation in the fine arts.

Other Favorites: Joesf Glaude, Tulsa Oratorio Chorus

Club DJ

DJ Moody

When looking at the local dance scene, Tulsa has a DJ that caters to every sound and style. When it all boils down, however, it's a grizzled veteran that has ridden out all the changes and flavors of the month and constantly adapted to stay on top of it all. This year's best Club DJ award goes to an anchor of the local scene.

Other Favorites: DJ Kylie, Darku J, DJ Mooneyham

Country

Kristin Nicole Band

With a set list that mixes contemporary country hits with a few traditionalist cornerstones and even a couple original tunes, Kristin Nicole Band has all the bases covered in this category. It should come as no surprise, then, that the band repeats as Tulsa's favorite country act in 2012.

Other Favorites: 2 Steps Back, Jimmy Blythe, Kinsey Sadler

Dance Party Band

Kite Flying Robot

When Tulsa wants to dance to original music, the local scene offers a wide array of styles ranging from electronic rock to groovy jams to indie pop. This year's winner mixes elements of electronic music and indie rock while finding its own unique groove, making Kite Flying Robot the Best Dance Party Band for 2012.

Other Favorites: Moai Broadcast, Sastronaut, Guardant

Female Vocalist

Kristin Nicole

A hot female voice leading a band that is on everybody's ABoT ballot for pure soul and emotion in every genre, especially in the jazz, R&B and pop fields. One woman has truly captured Tulsa's ear, however, with a fiery attitude and a high energy delivery to go with her strong pipe, making it no surprise that country reigns supreme in this category as Kristin Nicole is our repeat winner as Best Female Vocalist.

Other Favorites: Branjea Jackson, Olivia Duhon, Saranade

Hip Hop

Mike Dee

Another shift in the local Hip Hop hierarchy gives us a new king in the Hip Hop category. It was a close race between friends who have all worked together this year, not only sharing shows, but making guest appearances with Algebra and even collaborating in a local rap collective known as Oilhouse. In the end, however, it was Dee (who may be best known for his participation in that project) who walks away with this year's Best Hip Hop award.

Other Favorites: Alan Doyle, Verse, Surron the Seventh

Indie Rock

We the Ghost

Elements of pop, rock and even touches of reggae come together in one concise package as Beau Tyler, Dain Samuelson and Jimmy Adams put together a batch of songs that don't sound like anything else in Tulsa right now. Augmented by female vocalist Branjae Jackson, guitarist Matt McHan and keyboardist Kris Stone (and even violinist Jocelyn Hughes at the recent NewVo Showcase) for the live show, the sound expands even more. By following their own vision and producing a great debut, We the Ghost makes itself the obvious choice as Tulsa's Best Indie Rock Band.

Other Favorites: Fiawna Forte, And There Stands Empires, Scales of Motion

Jazz

JFJO

Tulsa's favorite jazz ensemble continues to build upon the success of its masterful Race Riot Suite with constant touring, a series of solo piano remixes that revisit and reinvent the material. The group even took the time to revisit its orchestral collaboration, Ludwig, at OK Mozart within the past year, adding to an already busy schedule. As a result, JFJO repeats as Tulsa Best Jazz Artist.

Other Favorites: Joesf Glaude Group, Olivia Duhon, Ronald Adams

Small Music Venue

Mercury Lounge

When it comes to original music, we've got some great clubs in town, but one consistently stays on the cutting edge, challenging its crowd with the hottest new bands from out of town and balancing them with local favorites. We're sure we'll see many of these bands on the Cain's Ballroom stage in the near future, but getting an up close and personal experience, put Mercury Lounge at the head of this year's class.

Other Favorites: SoundPony, The Hunt Club, The Colony

Large Music Venue

Cain's

We've got plenty of great venues of varying sizes, one with a great history, but none can top "The House the Bob built" for bringing in the biggest variety of styles of music and mixing established and rising stars. That's why Cain's Ballroom repeats as Tulsa's Best Large Music Venue.

Other Favorites: BOK Center, The Joint, Brady Theater

Live Performance

Kristin Nicole Band

When you find the right mix of country hits, big guitars and high energy with a nearly non-stop calendar and a front woman whom everyone loves, you can't go wrong. It should come as no surprise, then, to see Kristin Nicole Band return for an encore as this year's Best Live Performance.

Other Favorites: Beneath, Searching for Sanity, Jummy Blythe

Local Producer/Studio

Valcour Sound

Although we've got a stack of great studios and producers in town, including the storied Church Studios, sometimes a history that includes working with artists of every type and genre while consistently producing at a high quality speaks for itself. It should come as no surprise, then, that Hank Charles and Valcour Sound returns as a repeat winner as Best Local Producer/Studio.

Other Favorites: Church Studios, Dave White/Rainbow Trout, Catharsis Studios

Lounge Cover Band

Sellouts

Cover bands are a dime a dozen, but this year's nominees represent the cream of the crop. Our readers have spoken, though, and when they want the best, they look for The Sellouts (led by charismatic front man Jacob Dement) -- this year's winner of Best Lounge Cover Band.

Other Favorites: Jet Set Kings, Jumpshots, Hi-Fidelics

Male Vocalist

Beau Tyler (We the Ghost)

We The Ghost has exploded onto the scene this year with a debut EP that captures the imagination, a great live performance and songs that don't feel formulaic. The real magic, though, comes from lead singer Tyler, who has taken a more organic approach to songwriting that lets his vocals feel natural and effortless and brings out the simple beauty of the songs. It's only fitting, then, that Tyler should take home this year's award for Best Male Vocalist.

Other Favorites: Jimmy Blythe, Chase Stites, Chris Cleveland

Metal/Hard Rock

Beneath

Tulsa's metal scene may be boiling below the surface of many readers' awareness, but it's thriving nonetheless and this year's nominees included a few stalwarts of the local scene. We have a new winner, however, as Beneath breathes some fresh life into the scene with its infusion of classic and modern metal to take home the award for Best Metal/Hard Rock.

Other Favorites: Searching for Sanity, First Stryke, Tiranco

Party Cover Band

Crossland

Back for a fourth consecutive win, Crossland seems to have a stranglehold on this category, but then again, why shouldn't they. Great musicians, a set list packed with favorites and one of Tulsa's hardest working singers in front man Dan Crossland make for a winning combination. More importantly, though, the party never stops when you find yourself at a Crossland show, making the band the reigning and repeat champion as Tulsa's Best Party Cover Band.

Other Favorites: Octane Blue, The Sellouts, The Chasers

Red Dirt

Brandon Clark Band

What is Red Dirt? If you were born yesterday, the term means different things to different people, but it usually entails a blend of country, folk, blues and rock influences while retaining an identity that's true to Oklahoma. And if you're thinking of who personifies Oklahoma music, it's hard not to think of Brandon Clark Band -- which is why the band repeats for a fourth consecutive win in the Best Red Dirt category.

Other Favorites: Red Dirt Rangers, Turnpike Troubadours, Jimmy Blythe

Rock Pop

The Del Toros

After dominating the nominations two years ago and taking home top honors for best Indie Rock, Album of the Year and Band of the year in 2011, The Del Toros prove that they're no fluke and here to stay, taking home honors as Tulsa's Best Rock/Pop act in 2012.

Other Favorites: Stars Go Dim, FM Pilots, Chase Stites

Newcomer of the Year

Beneath

In a year that brought us a handful of great new artists to capture our ears and imaginations, we've got another surprise in this category. Beneath may have initially formed in 2004, but member changes and its continual evolution have brought it to the point where it is finally capturing Tulsa's attention as it reinvigorates the local metal scene, leading out voters to name the band the 2012 Newcomer of the Year.

Other Favorites: We the Ghost, Saranade, Sastronaut

Song of the Year

"Rearview" by We the Ghost

As a single snapshot of We The Ghost, "Rearview" touches on the simple beauty of Beau Tyler's songwriting at its best, yet catches you with an effortless and soaring chorus that summarizes all of the band's strengths. That's why Tulsa has spoken and picked "Rearview" as Song of the Year in 2012, making We The Ghost this year's big winner in multiple categories.

Other Favorites: "Quit You," The Del Toros; "Love Is for Real," Angie Cockrell; "Counting Days," Joesf Glaude Group

Radio Personality

Lynn Hernandez, 97.5 KMOD

In a category filled with strong characters, one consistently shines through the crowd with a style and panache all his own. After a year's absence, Hernandez returns to the throne as Tulsa's Best Radio Personality due to enthusiasm for what he does, non-stop public appearances and mix of music and interviews on KMOD's Drive-thru Lunch.

Other Favorites: Turbo Metal Meltdown, 93.1 RSU Radio; Biggie and Corbin, 92.1 The Beat; Chuck Stevens, 96.5 Mix 96

Radio Station for Music

97.5 KMOD

Sometimes you just can't escape from history. Although this year's field covered everything from alt-rock to retro pop and indie/college rock, in the end Tulsans know what's tried and true and continue to vote for the station with an established identity that it's grown up with. That's why everybody knows: "KMOD rocks!"

Other Favorites: 31.3 FM RSU Radio, 104.5 FM The Edge