Around Hear

Allow me to go on the record as stating that I'm disappointed The Anniversary didn't get a nomination for Band of the Year on this year's Klammies ballot. I'm also disappointed that The Believe It Or Nots' "Terra Incognito" and Danger Bob's "Kicked in the Ride" aren't up for Song of the Year and that Lushbox didn't get recognized in the Best Alternative/Rock Band category. Then again, I was only one of some 70 people who turned in ballots out of the approximately 100 that were mailed.

There's been some grumbling among scenesters about the slate of nominees, concerning who got what and who didn't this year, and that's really just as disappointing. Most of the picks I made on the initial voting ballot didn't make it to the finals, but it doesn't come down to any conspiracy. I just got outvoted. Only the top five vote-getters in each category go on to secure a space in the finals, and there is no complicated discussion process in which PitchWeekly staffers determine the merits of each band and throw out potential winners based on their own tastes. It's doubtful that even if such a meeting took place anything productive would happen -- our tastes are just as varied as anybody else's.

You've got hip-hop/gospel guru Shawn Edwards; self-described "card-carrying member of the punk-rock club" Andrew Miller; and Jon Niccum, who has stated in no uncertain terms his belief that Yes' Tales From Topographic Oceans and Fugazi's End Hits are underrated records, all working there. Tellingly, even some of the PitchWeekly critics' picks for last year's Best Local Album didn't make the cut. But what an amazing ballot it is, representing the diversity in the scene that we do have.

For the first time in the event's history, some rappers are up for Band of the Year: 57th Street Rogue Dog Villains alongside the indie-rock of The Get Up Kids and alt-country stalwarts Rex Hobart and the Misery Boys. The Musician of the Year is even more eclectic, with harmonica-wielding frontman Ernie Locke, legendary jazz pianist Jay McShann, and omnipresent rapper Tech N9ne side by side. Bands that didn't get nominations can take some solace in knowing that for some categories there are dozens more contenders than slots available -- especially in the rock categories.

And, yes, there are some repeat winners and two- and three-time nominees in there, which isn't a slight on the acts who didn't get nominated, but a testament to the continuing popularity and quality of such bands as Frogpond, Ultimate Fakebook, and Reflector. That they're still around is a vindication of the Kansas City and Lawrence scenes' longevity too and that it can support this much talent. That's something I won't ever be disappointed in.

A lesson learned I have seen the future of rock, and it is Envy, three 15-year-olds from Turner, Kan. And the band got robbed.

On Saturday, March 4, for reasons still unknown, I was asked to be one of the judges at Mars Music's Talent Showcase 2000, where kids in three age groups competed in instrumental and vocal categories, along with two bands that would be pitted against each other. There was actually quite a bit of talent on display there. In the under-10 bracket, violinist Carol Wang (age 6) and vocalist Whitney Pearce (age 9), who was also celebrating her birthday, took home trophies. Twelve-year-old pianist Jessie Habluetzel got the honor for the 10-to-12-year-old contestants, while Lauren Gershon (also 12) won that category's vocal award. Another fine violinist, 15-year-old Amanda Rist, was recognized, and Cassie Fernandez (also 15) took home a trophy for her vocal performance.

All of these were fine young kids, and I know that Fernandez was especially good, because it didn't even faze me that she was singing "Hands" by Jewel. I've zero concept of what that song is about. (Though they didn't get to take anything home, I'd like to give personal kudos to 14-year-old guitarist Mindi Schwartz, who played an Ennio Morricone-informed medley of Enrique Iglesias' "Bailamos," and the alto-sax stylings of Jesse Bechtold Jr. (age 15), who was dressed the part in a newsboy cap, tie, and vest.)

Then it was time for the bands, first of which was Envy. Upon hitting the stage, frontman Mo introduced bassist Squirrel and drummer Kris before adding, "We just recently lost our guitarist, so we'll try to do the best we can." And the trio did well, punk-rocking with reckless abandon, much harder than any 15-year-olds I ever knew. Envy's competition turned out to be its antithesis, three girls named Jessica Hainje, Merritt Lee, and Lyndsey Orpin, all age 12, who sang a lovely choral number consisting solely of the

word "Alleluia."

And the ladies were very good, even though they did not rock like Envy did. It's really a matter of taste, I guess, and I did not let my own personal penchant affect my decision, as I honestly judged both performances on the criteria given to me.

The same can be said of my esteemed colleagues on the judging panel, Chad Coughlin, assistant director of bands at Olathe South High School, and Jeffrey Bishop (no relation), director of orchestras and division coordinator of fine arts at Shawnee Mission Northwest High School. They have music degrees (as opposed to, say, me), so I think our interpretation of the criteria probably was vastly different.