Byrd's Eye View: Nashville Nightlife Awards
The Nashville Nightlife Awards went down at Mercy Lounge over the weekend, and they were quite entertaining.
Presented by the ladies of Vibe Agency and Movement Nashville, the ceremony served as an opportunity to tip our hats to the people who made Nashville a little more exciting in 2008. In addition to a stand-up routine from Alcohol Stuntband's Chris Crofton, the evening included rousing performances from Autovaughn, Heypenny and Sideshow Benny.
The ceremony ran a bit long, as awards shows tend to, but those who stuck it out to the very end were rewarded with a you-had-to-be-there-to-believe-it moment courtesy of Mercy Lounge owner Chark Kinsolving, who presented the last award of the evening.
Chark saw it as the perfect opportunity to share his opinion of Nashville's "rock scene," and he didn't hold anything back.
Decade by decade, he took us through the years of what he sees as the decline of rock 'n' roll, from the pinnacle of "real touring bands" such as Foghat to the beginning of the end during the disco era, all the way to the present. He wound up by challenging the audience to "grow some balls and write a real song."
He was in rare form, but what made his rant relevant was the fact that it came from a guy who has lived and worked his entire life for the love of rock music. Well played indeed sir.
Incidentally, Ricky Young was the lucky fellow who got to follow Chark's rant with his acceptance speech for best indie rock star.
Congratulations to all the winners.
Event of the year – Next Big Nashville
Gatekeeper of the year – Big Bobby from Mercy Lounge
Best blogger – Seth Graves, Nashville Scene
Coolest couple – Stephanie Langston and John Hardin
Best comeback bar – The 5 Spot
Favorite weekly party – Hot Rocks, Keep on Movin’ at The 5 Spot
Most sought-after musician – Nathan Hughes
Best rock of ’08 – Autovaughn
Highlight show of the year – Mercy Lounge anniversary party series
Music advocate of the year – Dean Shortland
Best DJ – Jacob Jones
Best game of ’08 – Kelby Ray of American Bang
Performance artist of the year – Music City Burlesque
Best ink studio – Black 13
R.I.P. bar – Bar Twenty3
Bartender of the year – Jamie at 3 Crow Bar
Best pop of ’08 – Tommy and The Whale
Best promoter – Chris Cobb of Sellout Presents
Best alter ego – Space Capone
Best alternative psychedelic and country – Hillbilly Casino
Best front band – Ricky Young
Beloved bar owner – Todd Sherwood at The 5 Spot
Beloved belligerent – John Bruton
Best sound engineer – Mike Grimes from The Basement
Best indie rock star – Ricky Young
PICTURED: Telisha Arguelles and Leah Hale
