San Diego Music Awards 2007

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On September 17th, the San Diego Music Foundation presents the seventeenth annual San Diego Music Awards, showcasing, rewarding and celebrating everything the San Diego music scene has to offer.

Musical Philanthropy

More than just a way for us to brag about our considerable local talent, the San Diego Music Awards show's purpose is to raise money for charity.

Over the past 16 years, musical philanthropists from America's Finest City have raised much-needed funding for elementary school music education programs. In 1999, with help from El Cajon's Taylor Guitars and San Diego's City Beat Magazine, the San Diego Music Awards Foundation introduced Taylor Guitars for Schools. This program provides guitar instruction in public Elementary Schools as well as "Baby" Taylor guitars for young virtuosos' little hands to wrap around. To date, the program has placed 1,151 Baby Taylors into 56 San Diego County Elementary Schools.

The purpose of Taylor Guitars for Schools is to try to ensure that tomorrow's Eric Clapton, Jimmy Paige, and Nancy Wilson aren't left undiscovered for being empty-handed. These people feel strongly that music should be a part of a child's well-rounded education, and they're actively taking steps to fill the void educational budget cuts create.

Awards Show in the Park

Reserved seating is $50. General admission is $30 in advance, more the day of the awards show. Prices are actually pretty reasonable considering the line-up, which includes Jason Mraz, Reeve Oliver, Buck-O-Nine, Lady Dottie and the Diamonds, The Truckee Brothers, and more to be added.

The show is Monday, September 17th at Viejas Casino's Concerts in the Park. The Viejas Casino is just off 8 East at Willows Road. Sure, it's a long drive, but there's free parking--and hey, you can bring the kids. Why not make a day of it? You can head out early, shop the outlet stores, break for dinner, catch the awards show and round out the night playing the slots next to an honest-to-goodness Rock Star.

Every Vote Counts

The San Diego Music Awards show doesn't just tell you what's cool--they ask you to share your opinion. Just go to www.sdmusicawards.com and click "Vote Now!" Only one vote per person--please vote responsibly. A few of the categories are reserved and can only be voted on by members of the Academy, but the majority (including Best Acoustic, Best Alternative and Artist of the Year) is by the people, for the people. Ballots will be accepted from August 6, thru September 5, 2007.


SDMA Acoustic Music Fest 2007

If you can't make it out to Alpine on a Monday night, consider a more centrally located, Friday night acoustic alternative. In support of the San Diego Music Awards and the "Taylor Guitars for School" program, The San Diego Music Foundation, along with San Diego Area Music, present SDMA Acoustic Music Fest 2007.

If you're on a mission to find the most local acoustic musicians under one roof performing on the same night, this, my friend, is what you're looking for. The SDMA Acoustic Music Fest 2007 showcases 32 bands on two stages at one venue in a single night. At an entrance fee/donation of only $10, that's only a little over three dimes per band, with unlimited access to both stages.

The show is at the eclectic Claire De Lune Coffee Shop (2906 University Avenue). Get there early, grab some coffee or tea, perhaps a scone, then stake out a spot and get comfortable, the place fills up fast.