The Illinois Country Music Association, Inc.
P.O. Box 79, Downs, Illinois 61736-0079
http://www.ICMA-online.com
e-mail ICMAIllinois@aol.com
Ray Prince, President ~ 309-378-4203
For immediate release:
Illinois Country Music Association, Inc., Holds Annual “People’s Choice” Awards Show
The 19th Annual Illinois Country Music Association “People’s Choice” Awards Show was held recently at the Bellflower Community Building, Bellflower, Illinois. Most Award winners are chosen by ICMA members, with the exception of Fan of the Year, Kelly Holt Humanitarian Award and Pioneer Award, which are chosen by the state board, and the songwriter awards, which were judged this year by Wolf Valley Productions, owned and operated by Michael deBills, executive director of the North America Country Music Associations, International.
The winners for 2008 are:
(All home towns are in Illinois unless otherwise noted.)
Pioneer ~ Linda Thomas, Hopedale
Fans of the Year ~ Lorraine Olivero, Gibson City
Kelly Holt Memorial Award ~ Rick Roy, DeLand
Entertainer of the Year, Opry ~ Rick Roy, DeLand
Entertainer of the Year, Non-Opry ~ Missy Vail, Woodhull
Male Vocalist, Opry ~ Mike Porter, Heritage, TN
Male Vocalist, Non-Opry ~ Travis Parks, Carrier Mills
Female Vocalist, Opry ~ Janet Durham, Hopedale
Female Vocalist, Non-Opry ~ Missy Vail, Woodhull
Young Entertainer, age 12 and under ~ Jenny Bennet, Minier
Young Entertainer, age 13-19 ~ Mariah Henderson, Decatur
New Male Vocalist ~ Jordan Carter, Mt. Vernon
New Female Vocalist ~ Stephanie Foster, East Peoria
Instrumentalist, Lead, Opry ~ Rick Roy, DeLand
Instrumentalist, Lead, Non-Opry ~ Ray Fidler, Cuba
Instrumentalist, Non-Lead, Opry ~ Derrick Roy, Pesotum
Instrumentalist, Non-Lead, Non-Opry ~ Ray Prince, Bloomington
Master/Mistress of Ceremony ~ Rick Roy, DeLand
Comedy/Comedian Act ~ Steve Ingram (Saul Simpleton), Decatur
Country Vocal Duo/Group ~ Panther Creek Duo (Mike Porter & Marsha Banning),
Louisville IL, Hermitage, TN
Vocal Collaboration ~ Rick Roy, DeLand & Ken Honecker, Bement
Best Stage Attire, Male, Age 12 & Under ~ TeJai Burgdorf, Oquawka
Best Stage Attire, Male, Age 13-19 ~ Jamie Nattier, Patoka
Best Stage Attire, Male, Age 20 & Over ~ Mike Porter, Hermitage, TN
Best Stage Attire, Female, Age 12 & Under ~ Ali Nicole Browning, Perry
Best Stage Attire, Female, Age 13-19 ~ Mariah Henderson, Decatur
Best Stage Attire, Female, Age 20 & Over ~ Missy Vail, Woodhull
Bluegrass Act ~ Bill Robinson & Friends, St. Charles
Gospel Duet/Group ~ The Shelton Sisters, Bellflower, Franklin, IN
Male Vocalist, Gospel ~ Larry Brown, Urbana
Female Vocalist, Gospel ~ Amy Shelton, Franklin, IN
Country Music Concert Style Night Spot ~ Imo’s Family Restaurant, Farmer City
Country Music Night Spot, Fraternal Club or Dance Hall ~ Farmington Music Theater,
Farmington
Opry/Stage/Show Band (Concert Type Venues) ~ Route 54 Band, McLean County
Country Opry Show, Bellflower
Dance Band, Clubs & Dances ~ Feudin’ Hillbillies, Pesotum
Recording of the Year ~ Mike Porter, Heritage, TN “Nashville Ain’t Gonna Come To Me"
Songwriter, Country/Western/Bluegrass ~ Janet Durham, Hopedale, “Behind That Smile”
Songwriter, Gospel ~ Anjanel Folkens, Danvers, “Be As One”
Radio Station, Large Market ~ WBWN, B-104, Bloomington
Radio Personality, Large Market ~ Dan Dermody, WIRL, AM-1290, Peoria
Country Music Event of the Year ~ McLean County Country Opry’s 10th Anniversary
Show with Mike Porter & Marsha Banning
