Carry Nation

Local band nominated for two WAMIs

Carry Nation rocks WAMI committee
Donna Lenz Wright/The Week
(Published April 25, 2007 10:45 a.m.)
What: 27th Annual WAMI Awards Show featuring Carry Nation as one of the live performances
Where: Northern Lights Theater at Potawatomi Bingo and Casino, 1721 W. Canal St., Milwaukee
When: April 30 at 7 p.m.
Info: Tickets are $40 and can be purchased through Northern Lights box office or www.ticketmaster.com
Carry Nation, a local rock/pop band with members calling Delavan, Lake Geneva and Silver Lake home, have been nominated for two Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI) awards.
Nominations are best CD/recording with their newest release, Lucky 13 and best bassist to Todd Richardson, of Delavan.
Carry Nation has rocked audiences locally and nationally for the past 20 years with members Chris Humphreys of Lake Geneva, on guitar and vocals; Todd Richardson of Delavan, on bass guitar and vocals; Jim Newman of Delavan, on drums and vocals; and newest member Vernon Voss of Silver Lake, on guitar and vocals.
"The guys are all phenomenal musicians," Voss said. "Chris is an all-out rocker, Jim is an incredible drummer and I've been playing with Todd since we were kids-he's amazing."
Carry Nation's fifth release, "Lucky 13", is a rock-out CD so tight and strong instrumentally and vocally that it's easy to see why the WAMI committee chose to nominate them. Their voices make perfect harmonies, making their rock ballads especially riveting.
Previous releases are "Atomic Love", "Driven", "Control" and "Circa", and their next is "Greatest Hits".
A Carry Nation show can't be described in just one way--their shows depend on the audience and can take many different forms.
"We can fill a show with all originals, covers, '80s hits or anything people want to hear," Voss said. "We can make it any way the audience wants it to be."
They've shared the stage with the likes of Saliva, Ratt, The Nixons, Slaughter, Blue Oyster Cult, Warrant, Tonic, Firehouse, 3 Doors Down, Extreme, Blackfoot and Rhino Bucket.
They've also been featured in a number of rock industry magazines across the country, are winners of the 2007 WAMI Battle of the Bands and been nominated for 11 WAMIs overall with three won to date.
More information, photos and music downloads are available at www.sonicbids.com/CarryNation3, www.carrynationband.com and www.myspace.com/carrynationrocks.
About WAMI
WAMI is a volunteer organization whose purpose is to educate and recognize the achievements and accomplishments of individuals in the Wisconsin music industry, according to their Web site.
It was organized in 1980 to improve communication and interaction among members; honor and celebrate the accomplishments of the Wisconsin music industry; produce industry and business seminars and workshops; establish a Wisconsin music industry directory; partner with other similar Wisconsin-based organizations with a shared mission; and encourage, promote and educate musicians.
The 27th Annual WAMI Awards Show is April 30 and features Carry Nation as one of the live performers. The event is at Northern Lights Theater at Potawatomi Bingo and Casino, 1721 W. Canal St., Milwaukee. Doors open at 6 p.m., the house band begins at 6:30 p.m. and the show runs 7-9 p.m. A free post-show party, also at the Northern Lights Theater, is open to the public and will immediately follow at 9 p.m.
Tickets are $40 each and can be purchased through the Northern Lights Box Office daily or at www.ticketmaster.com.

- The Week

Delavan bassist wins WAMI
(Published May 1, 2007, 2:30 p.m.)
Delavan's Todd Richardson won a WAMI Monday night for his bass playing with the band Carry Nation.
Wisconsin's top musicians, artists, bands, and industry notables were recognized for their contributions to the state's diverse music scene at the 27th Annual Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI) Awards Show, held Monday, April 30, at the Northern Lights Theater at Milwaukee's Potawatomi Bingo and Casino.
Awards were given in 35 categories, ranging from recognition for musicianship and recordings to the industry-related technical areas, with recipients hailing from all areas of the state. Award recipients are as follows:
Band/Artist Web Site: www.twangdragons.com
Bassist: Todd Richardson
Big Band/Swing: Swing Nouveau
Bluegrass/Americana: Andy's Automatics
Blues Group/Artist: Alex Wilson
CD/Recording: "Comin Out Swingin" - Boxkar
Classical: Fox Valley Symphony
Contemporary Jazz Group/Artist: Chris Crain & Co.
Country: Chasin' Mason
Cover: The Toys
Drummer/Percussionist: Greg Thiel
Female Vocalist: Ronnie Nyles
Folk/Acoustic Group/Artist: Bazooka Joe
Gospel/Christian Group/Artist: Rodney Cunningham
Group/Artist: Skillet
Guitarist: Jack Grassel
Keyboardist (tie): Dean Lea and Johnny Palecek
Male Vocalist: Geoff Landon
New Group/Artist: Hindsight
Pop/Adult Contemporary: The Mahp
Print Media: Shepherd Express
Producer: Joe Puerta
Radio Station: WMSE FM
R&B/Soul Group/Artist: Mary Davis
Reeds/Brass: Jeff Petrangelo
Rock Group/Artist: BelleVue Suite
Song: "Drinkin About You" - Twang Dragons
Specialty Instrumentalist: Russ Greeley - Violin
Specialty/Nostalgia Group/Artist: The Tempters
Stage Production: On Stage Audio
Studio: Renwood Messenger Studio
Traditional Jazz Group/Artist: Paul Spencer
Urban/Hip Hop/Scratch: ILL Groove Movement
Venue: Caroline's
World Beat (tie): Unity and Nabori In addition, People's Choice Awards for "Best Band/Artist of the Year" were presented for each quadrant of the state:
Southeast Quadrant - Mt. Olive
Northeast Quadrant - Cool Waters
Northwest Quadrant - Reverend Raven & the Chain Smokin' Altar Boys
Southwest Quadrant - Madison County
Two WAMI members were honored with the organization's Presidents Award at the program, as the East Town Association and Summerfest were recognized for their commitment to the music industry.
There were two inductees into the WAMI Hall of Fame Class of 2007, with Jim Krueger and Bob Kames earning honors. Krueger was a gifted guitarist and native of Manitowoc, whose posthumous induction is in recognition of his guitar skills and being an occasional co-songwriter with Dave Mason from the mid-70's throughout the early 80's.
Krueger wrote Mason's biggest hit "We Just Disagree." He released a solo album in 1978 called "Sweet Salvation," and in the early 90's, he was a key member ("Otto") of the Manitowoc-based novelty/bar band the Happy Schnapps Combo.
Kames is best known for introducing the song "The Chicken Dance" (formerly "Dance Little Bird") to the United States in 1982. The song was first recorded in Milwaukee by Kames and his son and daughter ("Dad and the Kids"), and by the end of 1982, more than a million copies were sold worldwide.
Additionally, he performed other songs, including "Mr. Sandman" and "The Clap Clap Song." Kames, a member of the Polka duo Happy Organ, has recorded more than 72 albums during his music career. A foundation bearing his name was formed in 2005 with a mission of encouraging youth, especially high school music groups, and parents to get their children involved in music at an early age. The Award Show included performances by 10 artists and nominees, and concluded with a Post-Show Party.
Promoting the Wisconsin music scene, WAMI provides funds to students and emerging artists, and offers continuing education for music industry professionals through monthly meetings, and semi-annual music seminars. For more information about WAMI, visit www.wamimusic.com. WAMI sponsors include Potawatomi Bingo Casino, The Milwaukee Ale House, and Shepherd Express.



- The Week