Americana 

Outstanding Americana Artist / Group 

• Bob & April 
• Escaping Pavement
• Jack, Jill 
• Maggie's Farm
• Steve Taylor Three
• Whiskey Charmers, The 

Outstanding Americana Instrumentalist 

• Dennie, Jason – Guitar/Mandolin
• Everhart, Larry – Harmonica
• Green, Mia – Guitar
• Labeck, Larry – Pedal Steel
• Monteleone, Bob – Guitar 
• Olk-Szost, Jorian - Upright Bass

Outstanding Americana Songwriter

• Guzman, Emman
• Harris, Ash  (Acoustic Ash)
• Jack, Jill 
• Monteleone, Bob
• Taylor, Steve
• Thibodeau, Robert
• Ward, Mike

Outstanding Americana Vocalist

• Guzman, Emma
• Harris, Ash  (Acoustic Ash)
• Jack, Jill
• McCabe, Maggie
• Scott, Jeff
• Taylor, Steve

Outstanding Americana Recording

• Bob & April  - "Never Thought It'd End Like This (Coronavirus Song)"
• Dirk Kroll Band - "West Thalia"
• Jack, Jill - "Jamestown Town"
• Jack, Jill - "Quiet Man"
• Steve Taylor Three - "Earn Every Scar"
• Whiskey Charmers, The - "Lost On The Range"

 

Blues 

Outstanding Blues Artist / Group 

• Al-Saadi, Laith
• Blues Lady Champagne
• Brett Lucas Band
• Jim McCarty and Mystery Train
• Motor City Josh & The Big 3
• Owens, Tosha 

Outstanding Blues Instrumentalist 

• Al-Saadi, Laith - Guitar
• Bartels, Chuck - Bass
• Bones, Jimmie - Keyboards
• Codish, Chris - Keyboards
• Murray, Bobby - Guitar
• Valdez, Skeeto - Percussion

Outstanding Blues Songwriter

• Cornfield, Thomas W (aka The Garbageman Fss)
• Fernelius, Danny
• McMillian, Allen  "Woody Mac"
• Miller, Don
• Owens, Tosha
• Springer, Vern & Riepenhoff, Chuck

Outstanding Blues Vocalist

• Blues Lady Champagne
• Cloyd Jr, James
• Davis, Thornetta
• Murray, Kathleen
• Sinclair, John
• Watkins, Lenny

Outstanding Blues Recording

• Laura Rain and the Caesars - "Different State of Mind"
• Motor City Josh & The Big Three - "Finding A New Gear"
• Shah, Harmonica & Glazer, Howard - "Ain't Gonna Worry About Tomorrow"
• Sinclair, John & Planet D Nonet - "Monk's Dream: Live At The Scarab Club"
• Smillie, Pat - "Broke Down Chevy #2 (featuring Jim McCarty)"
• Thibodeau, Robert -  "What Kind Of Fool"

 

Classical 

Outstanding Classical Composer 

• Daugherty, Michael
• Jarema, Andy
• Jones, Molly
• Malis, Michael
• Prouty, Patrick
• Steinke, Harriet

Outstanding Classical Instrumentalist 

• Beddow, Buggs  - Trombone
• Iio, Takashi - Bass
• Lee, Sonia - Violin
• Rais, Michael - Bass
• Rutherford, John - Trombone
• Striho, Carolyn - Piano

Outstanding Classical Vocalist

• Armstrong, Anna
• Esqueda, Elizabeth
• Evola, Eve
• Theis, Angela
• Toccolini, Jono
• Ylizaliturri, Annamaria

Outstanding Community Orchestra 

• Birmingham-Bloomfield Symphony
• Dearborn Symphony Orchestra
• International Symphony Orchestra
• Livonia Symphony Orchestra
• Macomb Symphony Orchestra
• Royal Oak Symphony Orchestra
• Southeastern Michigan Wind Ensemble

Outstanding Small Ensemble 

• Beo String Quartet
• Chamber Music At The Scarab Club
• Il Segreto String Quartet
• Pebble Creek Chamber Orchestra

Outstanding Classical Recording

• Beo String Quartet  - "Breathe"
• Fitzgerald, Jill  - "Go Tell It On The Mountain"
• Jarema, Andy, - "Currents For Live Octet and Electronics"
• Jones, Molly,  - "Change Of State"
• Malis, Michael -  "Three Pieces For Piano"
• Simko, Sarah -  "Living Voices, Vol. 1: Sacred Inspirations"

 

Country 

Outstanding Country Artist/Group 

• Austin, Matt
• Austin, Scott
• Holmes, Kari
• Orbitsuns, The
• Scillian, Devin
• Stone, Rob
• Turner, Alan
• Vee, Joey

Outstanding Country Instrumentalist 

• Diaz, Timothy - Guitar
• Ellman, Ron - Fiddle
• Feeny, Dave - Pedal Steel
• Noon, Roger - Bass
• Scillian, Devin - Guitar
• White, Brian - Guitar

Outstanding Country Songwriter

• Ankley, Julianne
• Dombroski, Vin
• Holmes, Kari
• Marshall, Bob
• Scillian, Devin
• Turner, Alan & Stryker, Greg

Outstanding Country Vocalist

• Ankley, Julianne
• Holmes, Kari
• Kaiser, Maureen
• Scillian, Devin
• Stone, Rob
• Turner, Alan
• Vee, Joey

Outstanding Country Recording

• Ankley, Julianne - "With Love From Lake Huron"
• Brooke, Rachel - "The Loneliness In Me"
• Marshall, Bob - "The Way It Should Be"
• Stone, Rob - "Firework Girl"
• Thibodeau, Robert - "Come Golden Friends"
• Turner, Alan - "Let Go"

 

Electronic/Dance 

Outstanding Electronic/Dance Artist/Group 

• Body Mechanic
• Flashclash
• French, Blair
• Lelo XO
• N2 Submission
• Nikki-O

Outstanding Electronic/Dance DJ 

• Body Mechanic
• Collins, John
• Flash, Mark
• Knight, Suburban
• Roberts, Anison  "The Impaler"

Outstanding Electronic Producer/Writer 

• Ansari, Salar
• Body Mechanic
• French, Blair
• Kerasiotis, Yorg
• Logix, Eddie
• Roberts, Anison  "The Impaler"

Outstanding Electronic Recording

• Body Mechanic - "Roomationship"
• Daniele, Dave "Dr. Z"  - "Between Two Worlds"
• French, Blair  - "The Art Of Us"
• Lele XO - "Malady"
• Moodyman - "Taken Away"
• Resto, Luis & Ansari, Salar - "Ambient Series, Vol. 1" 

2021 Nominees

 

 

General  

Outstanding Anthology/Compilation/Reissue  

• Clark Sisters, The  - "You Brought The Sunshine 1976-1981”
• Diana Ross & The Supremes  - "Sing And Perform Funny Girl"
• Iggy & The Stooges  - "From KO to Chaos"
• Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels -  "Sockin It To You: Complete Dynovoice/New Voice Recordings"
• Trash Brats  - "Trash Brats"
• White Stripes, The - "Greatest Hits: My Sister Thanks You And I Thank You"   

Outstanding Family/Children's Music  

• Bob & Coltrane
• Gro-Town
• Guy, Louis
• Meyer, Beverly

Outstanding Live Performance  

• Billy Brandt Trio
• Buggs Beddow & The Good Stuff
• Jack, Jill
• Key, Chrissii
• Laura Rain and The Caesars
• Warhorses 

Outstanding Live Performance (VIRTUAL)

• Beats Go On, The
• Concert Of Colors
• Detroit Jazz Festival
• Hyped Up Live Sessions
• Smit, Smitty E. :  "A Benefit For Detroit Local Music"
• Taylor, Steve :  "Live From The Quarantine:

Outstanding Live Sound Tech  

• Busuttil, Adam
• Carr, Mike
• Menzo, Dave
• Monforte, Carl
• Raymond, Brad
• Stevens, Jef

Outstanding Local Record Label  

• Assemble Sound
• Detroit Music Factory
• Funky D Records
• Got The Key
• Jett Plastic Recordings
• Majik Ninja Entertainment

Outstanding Major Label Recording  

• Big Sean  - "Detroit 2"
• Eminem  - "Music To Be Murdered By"
• Eminem  - "Music To Be Murdered By -- Side B"
• Flower, Yoshi  - "I Will Not Let My Love Go To Waste"
• KEM  - "Love Always Wins"
• Sheard, Kierra - "Kierra"

Outstanding National Single 

• Cooper, Alice  -  "Our Love Will Change The World"
• Cooper, Alice -  "Rock 'n' Roll"
• Greta Van Fleet - "Age Of Machine"
• Greta Van Fleet -  "My Way, Soon"
• Neals, Eliza  - "Black Crow Moan"
• Pop, Iggy - "Dirty Little Virus" 

Outstanding National Small/Indie Label Recording 

• David McMurray & The Black Light Collective  - "Black Light Collective"
• Forbes, Sean  - "Little Victories"
• LaVette, Bettye- "Blackbirds"
• Raconteurs, The - "Live At Electric Lady"
• Royce da 5'9" - "The Allegory" 
• Suicide Machines  -  "Revolution Spring"

Outstanding Record Producer  

• Alkazian, Chuck
• Feeny, Dave
• Ford, Josh "Motor City"
• Green, Tony "T-Money"
• Gross, Tino
• Hamera, Tony

Outstanding Recording Studio  

• Pearl Sound Studio
• Plymouth Rock Recording Studio
• Rooftop Recording Studio
• Rustbelt
• Sound Shop Studio, The
• Tempermill

Outstanding Tribute Band 

• Carry On  (A CSNY Tribute"
• Crazy Babies - Ozzy Rebourne
• Danny D and The Vagabonds
• Denise Davis and The Motor City Sensations  (A Marvin Gaye Tribute)
• Magic Bus
• Rockstar    

Outstanding Video - Limited Budget

• Jack, Jill - "Jamestown Town"
• Ladyship Warship  - "Higgs Boson Blues"
• Laura Rain and The Caesars  - "Closer To The Wind"
• Owens, Tosha - "We've Got Hate On The Run"
• Tino G's Dumpster Machine - "If I Asked You To Dance (Would You Boogie With Me)"
• Whiskey Charmers, The - "Fire and Flame"  

Outstanding Video - Major Budget 

• Cooper, Alice - "Our Love Will Change The World"
• Eminem - "Darkness"
• Greta Van Fleet  - "Age Of Machine"
• Greta Van Fleet - "My Way, Soon"
• KEM - "Live Out Your Love"
• White Stripes, The - "Ball and Biscuit (Live In Tokyo 1993)" 

 

Gospel/Christian  

Outstanding Gospel/Christian Artist or Group  

• Phillips, Carl B
• Pivotal Awakening
• Righteous Through God (RTG)
• Sounds Imani
• Sweet Crystal  
• Young Men 4 Christ

Outstanding Gospel Choir

• Bill Moss Jr & The BME State Choir
• Detroit Youth Choir
• Dr. E Laquint Weaver & The Hallelujah Singers
• Greater Emmanuel Temple of Deliverance
• The Whitfield Company
• Third New Hope Baptist Church Choir

Outstanding Gospel/Christian Instrumentalist

• Babbitt, Jeff  - Percussion
• Graves, Andy -  Bass
• Liniarski, Dave  -  Guitar
• Lucas, Blu  - Keyboards
• Russell, Bill - Guitar
• Skinner, Rob - Bass

Outstanding Gospel/Christian Songwriter

• Graves, Andy & Odom, Mindi
• James, Darius
• Laurin, Keith
• Moss Jr., Bill
• Nichole, Tiffany
• Phillips, Carl B
• Turner-Carr, Peggy

Outstanding Gospel/Christian Vocalist

• Babbitt, Jeff
• Odom, Mindi
• Phillips, Carl B
• Speck, Marq Andrew
• Turner-Carr, Peggy
• Twyman, Darius 

Outstanding Gospel/Christian Recording

• Daffin, Kira - "The Well"
• Detroit Youth Choir  - "A Holiday With You"
• Kaiser, Maureen  - "Beautifully Unbroken"
• Laurin, Keith; ft. Owens, Tosha - "This Guitar Prays"
• Moss Jr, Bill - "One More Day"
• Righteous Through God (RTG)  - "Lift Me Up"
• Sweet Crystal - "Heaven's Call"

 

Jazz  

Outstanding Modern Jazz Artist 

• Accidentally Hip
• Bass, Jake
• Haynes, Tyson
• Straight Ahead
• TB & The Detroit Holiday Rockestra
• Will Cyprian Experience

Outstanding Traditional Jazz Artist  

• Covington, Sky
• Detroit Tenors
• Djangophonique
• Paul Keller's "At Sundown" Quartet
• Paxton, John "T-Bone" & RJ Spangler Quintet
• Scott Gwinnell Jazz Orchestra

Outstanding Jazz Composer

• Bass, Jake
• Landis, Sheila
• McKinney, Gayelynn
• Stanco, Anthony
• White, Walter

Outstanding Jazz Instrumentalist

• Armstrong, Ralphe - Bass
• Cafagna, Carl - Saxophone
• Gwinnell, Scott - Piano
• Jones, Ibrahim - Bass
• McKinney, Gayelynn - Drums
• Rutherford, John - Trombone

Outstanding Jazz Vocalist  

• Belgrave, Joan
• Covington, Sky
• D'Angelo, Sarah
• Landis, Sheila
• Paxton, John "T-Bone" 

Outstanding Jazz Recording  

• Covington, Sky - "Club Crescendo, Vol: 3"
• Djangophonique - "Jazz du Jour"
• Hershberger, Mark & The Detroit Jazz Project - "The Year Is 2020"
• Paxton, John "T-Bone" & the RJ Spangler Quintet  - "In Your Own Backyard"
• TB & The Detroit Holiday Rockestra  - "A Christmas Cocktail"
• White, Walter -  "BB XL"  

 

 

 

Rap   

Outstanding Rap Artist

• Bell, Courtney
• Chocolate Jazzy
• Erikson, Leaf
• Kid Vishis
• REDD
• Sada Baby
• Willis, Pamela "P-DOT"

Outstanding Rap Composer

• Chocolate Jazzy
• Erikson, Leaf
• JusReese
• REDD
• TimBlackman
• Willis, Pamela "P-DOT"

Outstanding Rap MC

• Erikson, Leaf
• Forbes, Sean
• MarvWon
• REDD
• Supa Emcee
• Willis, Pamela "P-DOT"

Outstanding Rap Producer   

• Anderson, Seth
• Bass, Jake
• Davis Way, The
• Helluva
• REDD
• TimBlackman

Outstanding Rap Recording

• Bell, Courtney - "Poverty Stricken"
• Chocolate Jazzy - "Rip It Up"
• Davis Way, The - "Visionary"
• Davis Way, The; ft: Supa Emcee, P-DOT, & Pierre Anthony  - "Impeccable"
• Erikson, Leaf  - "Liquid Sunshine Part 313"
• REDD - "Symphony Of Sympathy"
• Sada Baby - "Skuba Sada 2"

 

Rock   

Outstanding Rock/Pop Artist or Group  

• Dirk Kroll Band
• JC & The Disciples
• Kris Kurzawa Band
• Reefermen, The
• Tino G's Dumpster Machine
• Warner, Gia

Outstanding Alt/Indie/Punk Artist or Group  

• Cinecyde
• Elsie Binx
• I See Stars
• Incurables, The
• Ladyship Warship
• Zotz, The   

Outstanding Heavy/Hard Rock Artist or Group  

• Artificial Agent
• Blackmail
• Critical Bill
• Eva Under Fire
• Kougaran
• Warhorses   

Outstanding Rock Instrumentalist

• Badanjeck, Johnny "Bee" - Drums
• Dailey, Scott - Guitar
• Gustafson, Erik - Guitar
• Myers, Eric "EZ" - Guitar
• Striho, Carolyn -  Piano
• Whitelaw, JC  - Guitar

Outstanding Rock/Pop Songwriter   

• Gross, Tino
• Kroll, Dirk
• Piunti, Nick
• Striho, Carolyn
• Warner, Gia
• Whitelaw, JC

Outstanding Rock/Pop Vocalist   

• Christi'an, Steffanie
• Jendza, Derek
• Kroll, Dirk
• Scafone, Rio
• Striho, Carolyn
• Warner, Gia     

Outstanding Rock Recording 

• Dirk Kroll Band - "Living In The Right Place"
• Gasoline Gypsies - "Playing With Fire"
• Ladyship Warship  - "Ladyship Warship"
• Muggs, The - "Slave To Sound, Vol. 5"
• Tino G's Dumpster Machine - "If I Asked You To Dance (Would You Boogie With Me)"
• Zotz, The - "When It's Over"     

 

Urban   

Outstanding Urban Artist/Group   

• Bugs Beddow & The Good Stuff
• Key, Chrissii
• Larry Lee & Back In The Day
• Laura Rain and The Caesars
• Ms. Carmen
• Omowale, Nadir   

Outstanding Urban Instrumentalist

•  Brantley, Kern  - Bass
• Green, Tony "T-Money"  - Bass
• Hale, Phil  - Keyboards
• Orlando, Kat  -  Saxophone
• Peltier, Pete - Guitar
• Reeves, Robert  -  Saxophone

Outstanding Urban Songwriter   

• Key, Chrissii
• King, Alise
• Ms. Carmen
• Orlando, Kat 
• Rain, Laura & Friend, George
• Rutherford, Melanie 

Outstanding Urban Vocalist   

• Foxx, Gwen
• Griffith-Manley, Beth
• Key, Chrissii
• Ms. Carmen
• Orlando, Kat 
• Rain, Laura

Outstanding Urban Recording   

• Key, Chrissii - "Reasons"
• Laura Rain and The Caesars  - "Closer To The Wind"
• Laura Rain and The Caesars  - "Soul Creature"
• Ms. Carmen - "Quarantine Cuts"
• Ms. Carmen  -  "Soul Symphony"
• Orlando, Kat  - "Terry Got A Pit Bull"  

 

World Music   

Outstanding World Artist/Group   

• Bill Grogan's Goat   
• Corktown Popes
• Luddites, The
• McCabe, Maggie   
• Muruga Cosmic Boogie
• Xiao, Dong Wei 

Outstanding World Instrumentalist   

• Beddow, Bugs - Flute
• Blackman, Sean  - Guitar
• Booker, Muruga - Percussion
• McCabe, Maggie  - Guitar   
• Taylor, Steve - Multi
• Xiao, Dong Wei  - Chinese Strings/Multi

Outstanding World Songwriter

• Abbey, Eric
• Burns, Terry
• Chaparro, Martin
• Goedert, Lisa
• Matle, Rick

Outstanding World Vocalist

• Chaparro, Martin
• Goedert, Lisa
• Kash, Tracy
• Smith, Gerard

Outstanding World Recording

• Booker, Muruga - "Boom Zoom"
• Chaparro, Martin - "Ciudad Natal"
• Chaparro, Martin  - "Despertar"
• Chaparro, Martin  -  "Opening My Eyes"
• Detroit Riddim Crew; ft. Chrissy Morgan - "Fallen Down"
• Dirk Kroll Band  - "Would It Be The Same"