Americana 

Outstanding Americana Artist / Group 

• Acoustic Madness 
• Billy Brandt & the Sugarees
• Jack, Jill 
• Keynote Sisters, The
• Kubat, Audra
• Liburdi, Carmel 

Outstanding Americana Instrumentalist 

• Brandt, Billy – Multi
• Codish, Chris – Piano/Organ
• Falk, Dave– Dobro
• Gustafson, Erik– Guitar 
• McGuire, Mary– Guitar 
• Monteleone, Bob - Guitar
• Peltier, Pete – Guitar

Outstanding Americana Songwriter

• Brandt, Billy
• Keynote Sisters, The
• McGuire, Mary, 
• Monteleone, Bob
• Serrapere, Jo
• Taylor, Steve

Outstanding Americana Vocalist

• Liburdi, Carmel
• McGuire, Mary
• Rose, Emily
• Scott, Jeff
• Taylor, Steve
• Thibodeau, Robert

Outstanding Americana Recording

• Billy Brandt & The Sugarees - "Riverside"
• Dilaha, Ryan - "Closer To Better"
• Escaping Pavement - "Road Warrior"
• Keynote Sisters, The - "Rose Colored Glasses"
• Kubat, Audra - "The Sliver and The Salve"
• Thibodeau, Robert - "Thank God There Is Love In This World"

 

Blues 

Outstanding Blues Artist / Group 

• Bobby Murray Band
• Chris Canas Band
• Kenny Parker Band
• Lady Champagne Page
• Motor City Josh & The Big 3
• P-Funk Outlaws 

Outstanding Blues Instrumentalist 

• Al-Saadi, Laith - Guitar
• Bones, Jimmie - Keyboard
• Cloyd, James - Bass
• Ford, Josh "Motor City" - Guitar
• Lucas,, Brett - Guitar
• Murray, Bobby - Guitar 

Outstanding Blues Songwriter

• Ford, Josh "Motor City"
• Gross, Tino
• Parker, Kenny
• Pasman, Mark
• Thibodeau, Robert
• Williams, Raye

Outstanding Blues Vocalist

• Bones, Jimmie
• Bradley, Robert
• Ford, Josh "Motor City"
• Lady Champagne Page
• Owens, Tasha
• Stalker, Beth

Outstanding Blues Recording

• Lucas, Brett - "Soul & Courage, Vol 2."
• Parker, Kenny - "Hellfire"
• Robert Thibodeau & The Detroit Jewels  - "Don't Go Away"
• Sax Maniacs  - "Live@theshop"
• Smilie, Pat - "Lonesome For A Long Time"

 

Classical 

Outstanding Classical Composer 

• Daughtry, Michael
• Grant, Patrick
• Prouty, Patrick
• Schoeneman, Todd 

Outstanding Classical Instrumentalist 

• Beddow, Buggs  - Trombone
• Hughes, Molly - Violin
• Lee, Sonia - Violin
• Robinson, Kenneth - Trumpet
• Rutherford, John - Trombone
• Wagner, Dave - Pipe Organ
• White, Walter - Trumpet

Outstanding Classical Vocalist

• Evola, Eve
• Fitzgerald, Jill
• Fulgenzi, Lynda
• Theis, Angela
• Ylizaliturri, Annamaria

Outstanding Community Orchestra 

• Birmingham-Bloomfield Symphony
• International Symphony Orchestra
• Lexington Bach Festival Orchestra
• Livonia Symphony Orchestra
• Macomb Symphony Orchestra
• Royal Oak Symphony Orchestra

Outstanding Small Ensemble 

• Hughes Smith Quartet
• Motor City Brass Band
• Pebble Creek Chamber Orchestra
• St. Paul's Brass Quartet
• St. Paul's String Quartet
• Tilted Axes

Outstanding Classical Recording

• Massard, Robert - "Sailing Mackinac"
• Owens, Tosha - "We've Got Hate On The Run"
• Schoeneman, Todd - "Tell Me A Tale:  Music From The Cutting Room Floor"
• Winans, David II & Campbell, Beverly - "23 Psalm (Partita #1 Bb Major)"

 

Country 

Outstanding Country Artist/Group 

• Austin, Matt
• Harper, RJ
• Jayne, Paulina
• Joe Kidd & Sheila Burke
• Julianne Ankley & The Rogues
• Turner, Alan

Outstanding Country Instrumentalist 

• Frederick, Matthew - Bass
• Justice, Danny - Guitar
• Kaatz, Jim - Guitar
• Labeck, Larry - Pedal Steel
• Lopez, Randy - Bass
• Noonan, Roger - Bass

Outstanding Country Songwriter

• Ankley, Julianne
• Dakota, Corey
• Kidd, Joe & Burke, Sheila
• Marshall, Bob
• Turner, Alan & Stryker, Greg
• Vee, Joey 

Outstanding Country Vocalist

• Ankley, Julianne
• Austin, Matt
• Burke, Sheila
• Kidd, Joe
• Nicole, Heather
• Turner, Alan

Outstanding Country Recording

• Ankley, Julianne - "Why"
• Austin, Matt - "Show Me How To Love You"
• Horlock, Robin - "Love At Second Sight"
• Robert Thibodeau & The Detroit Jewels - "Cowboy"
• Turner, Alan - "That's Why They Make Beer!"
• Williams, Raye - "Suicidal Heart (Countrified)"

 

Electronic/Dance 

Outstanding Electronic/Dance Artist/Group 

• Detroit Bureau of Sound
• Electric Otto's Funk Factory
• Flashclash
• Golfclap
• N2 Submission
• Shigeto
• Wajeed

Outstanding Electronic/Dance DJ 

• Body Mechanic
• DJ Holographic
• Impaler, The
• Lexy, Linda
• Logix, Eddie
• N2 Submission

Outstanding Electronic Producer/Writer 

• Body Mechanic
• Electric Otto's Funk Factory
• Impaler, The
• Kerasiotis, Yorg
• Larin, Liz
• Tate, Sean

Outstanding Electronic Recording

• Body Mechanic - "Crank Music"
• Body Mechanic - "Make Techno Black Again"
• Electric Otto's Funk Factory - "The Afrofuture Funk Soundtrack"
• Martone - "Erogenous Zone"
• Shigeto - "Versions"
• Various Artists - "Pure Sounds Of Michigan" 

2020 Nominees

 

 

General  

Outstanding Anthology/Compilation/Reissue  

• Algebra Mothers - "Strawberry Cheesecake EP”
• Coffey, Dennis - "Live At Baker's 2006"
• Franklin, Aretha - "Amazing Grace: The Complete Recordings"
• Gaye, Marvin -  "You're The Man"
• Various Artists  - "Motown:  The Complete No. 1's"
• White Stripes, The - "XX"   

Outstanding Family/Children's Music  

• Bob & Coltrane
• Gemini
• Gro-Town
• Mr. Bob's Rubber Band

Outstanding Live Performance  

• Buggs Beddow & The Good Stuff
• Corktown Popes
• Jack, Jill
• Key, Chrissii
• Motor City Josh & The Big 3
• Sean Blackman's In Transit
• Warhorses 

Outstanding Live Sound Tech  

• Busuttil, Adam
• Carr, Mike
• Jay, Peter
• Kozy, Bill
• Preston, Glenn
• Tucker, Kelly

Outstanding Local Record Label  

• Detroit Music Factory
• Detroit Techno
• Funky D
• Got The Key
• Jett Plastic
• Reel II Real  

Outstanding Major Label Recording  

• Cooper, Alice - "Breadcrumbs"
• Kash Doll - "Stacked"
• Madonna - "Madame X"
• Posner, Mike - "A Real Good Kid"
• Posner, Mike - "Keep Going"
• Quinn XCII - "From Michigan, With Love" 

Outstanding National Single 

• Greta Van Fleet - "Lover, Leaver"
• John 5  - "Living With Ghosts"
• McMurray, Dave - "Freedom Ain't Freel"
• Neals, Eliza - "Pawn Shop Blues"
• Raconteurs, The - "Help Me Stranger"
• Skill, Mike - "Carrie Got Married"  

Outstanding National Small/Indie Label Recording 

• Detroit Cobras - "What More"
• Detroit Cobras/Kenny Tudrick - "Stay Down/Lightning Bird"
• Neals, Eliza - "Pawn Shop Blues"
• Pop, Iggy - "Free"
• Quatro, Suzi - "No Control"
• Ryder, Mitch - "Detroit Breakout" 

Outstanding Record Producer  

• Alkazian, Chuck
• Ford, Josh "Motor City"
• Green, Tony "T-Money"
• Gross, Tino
• Reilly, Bryan
• White, Brian "Roscoe"

Outstanding Recording Studio  

• Big Sky Recording
• Loft, The
• Pearl Sound Studios
• Rustbelt
• Sound Shop Studio
• Tempermill

Outstanding Tribute Band 

• Crazy Babies
• Dr. Pocket
• Major Dudes - Steely Dan Tribute
• Rockstar
• Santana Project, The
• Wreking Crue    

Outstanding Video - Limited Budget

• Ankley, Julianne - "Why"
• Beggars, The - "This Part Of Town"
• Christi'an, Steffanie - "Limbo"
• Detroit Academy of Arts & Sciences Choir - "One Nation: Detroit's Tribute To The Funk"
• Key, Chrissii - "Out Of My Control"
• Tino G's Dumpster Machine - "I Had Problems Last Week"  

Outstanding Video - Major Budget 

• John 5 - "Crank It/Living With Ghosts"
• McMurray, Dave - "Freedom Ain't Free"
• Raconteurs, The - "Help Me Stranger"
• Royce da 5'9" - "Black Savage"
• Royce da 5'9" - "Cocaine"
• Taylor, JoAnne Shaw - "The Best Thing" 

 

Gospel/Christian  

Outstanding Gospel/Christian Artist or Group  

• David Whitfield & Whitfield Productions
• Phillips, Carl B
• Righteous Through God (RTG)
• Second Day Story
• Sweet Crystal  
• Young Men 4 Christ

Outstanding Gospel Choir

• Carlos Whitlow & GP
• David Whitfield & Whitfield Productions
• E Laquint Weaver & The Hallelujah Singers
• Greater Emmanuel Temple of Deliverance
• Third New Hope Baptist Church Choir

Outstanding Gospel/Christian Instrumentalist

• Babbitt, Jeff  - Percussion
• Cortez, Pavel - Piano
• Holland, Brandon - Piano
• Russell, Bill - Guitar
• Speck, Marq - Keyboards  
• Wood, James - Drums

Outstanding Gospel/Christian Songwriter

• Day, Sonnie
• Phillips, Carl B; Young, Gabriel & Pearson, Gregory Sr.
• Speck, Marq Andrew
• Stryker, Greg
• Turner-Carr, Peggy
• Whitfield, David

Outstanding Gospel/Christian Vocalist

• Levos, Amy
• Odom, Mindi
• Phillips, Carl B
• Simon, Trey
• Speck, Marq Andrew
• Turner-Carr, Peggy
• Winans, David II  

Outstanding Gospel/Christian Recording

• Booker, Muruga - "Peace Within The Chaos: Drumming & Positive Affirmations"
• Day, Sonnie - "Love & Gospel"
• Owens, Tosha - "Build A Bridge"
• Righteous Through God (RTG)  - "Lord I Pray (Most Of All)"
• Sweet Crystal - "When I Tell You I Love You"
• Young Men 4 Christ - "Fufilled (Feel The Music From Within)"  

 

Jazz  

Outstanding Modern Jazz Artist 

• Armstrong, Ralphe
• Finklestein, Ian
• Hayden, Marion
• Hurst, Bob
• New Day Collective
• Scott Gwinnell Jazz Orchestra

Outstanding Traditional Jazz Artist  

• Bob Mervak Trio
• Chrissy Morgan & Her Fabulous Band
• Covington, Sky
• Detroit Jazz Ensemble
• Paul Keller's "At Sundown"
• PD9

Outstanding Jazz Composer

• Barron, John
• Garcia, Diego
• Gwinnell, Scott
• Monford, Mike  
• Napoleon, Randy
• Rowe, Ellen

Outstanding Jazz Instrumentalist

• Armstrong, Ralphe - Bass
• Cafagna, Carl - Saxophone
• Coffey, Dennis - Guitar
• Iio, Takashi - Bass
• Kaminski, Keith - Saxophone
• Woodman, Susie - Piano

Outstanding Jazz Vocalist  

• Belgrave, Joan
• Covington, Sky
• D'Angelo, Sarah
• Davis, Thornetta
• Landis, Sheila
• Paxton, John "T-Bone" 

Outstanding Jazz Recording  

• Booker, Muruga & Hershberger, Mark - "Primal City Accents"
• Coffey, Dennis - "Down By The River"
• Detroit Tenors - "Detroit Tenors"
• McMillan, Duncan - "Room With A View"
• Planet D Nonet - "Kings Of Kansas City Swing"
• Stalker, Beth -  "Live At O'Malley's"  

 

 

 

Rap   

Outstanding Rap Artist

• Dirty White
• Dope Rhyme Villanz
• Finale
• Icewar Vezzo
• REDD
• Trick Trick

Outstanding Rap Composer

• Bass, Jake
• Foul Mouth
• Illy Maine
• K-Squeez
• REDD
• TimBlackman

Outstanding Rap MC

• Baybro
• Davis, Bryan (Powerdise)
• Erickson, Leaf
• Icewar Vezzo
• K-Squeez
• Smith, Jashua

Outstanding Rap Producer   

• Bass, Jake
• Green, Tony "T-Money"
• ilajide
• MCV Mowl
• REDD
• TimBlackman

Outstanding Rap Recording

• Baybro - "No One Is Coming"
• Chinchillionaires, The - "It Comes In Threes"
• Erickson, Leaf  - "A Canvas Of Hope"
• K-Squeez  - "Bottom Of The Bottle"
• REDD - "Drip 2 Clean"
• Scott, Ryn - "I'm Free Feat. Jon Connor"

 

Rock   

Outstanding Rock/Pop Artist or Group  

• Dirk Kroll Band
• Elsie Binx
• Gasoline Gypsies
• Kaleido
• Seatbelts, The
• Tino G's Dumpster Machine

Outstanding Alt/Indie/Punk Artist or Group  

• Beggars, The
• Cinecyde
• Josie Pace
• Screw
• SugarPunk Fairies
• Zotz, The   

Outstanding Heavy/Hard Rock Artist or Group  

• Artificial Agent
• Blackmail
• Critical Bill
• Dead In 5
• Eva Under Fire
• Warhorses   

Outstanding Rock Instrumentalist

• Abel, John "Wolf" - Bass
• Badanjeck, Johnny "Bee" - Drums
• Dailey, Scott - Guitar
• Fava, Joey - Drums
• Forester, Dana - Bass
• Marx, Skid -  Bass

Outstanding Rock/Pop Songwriter   

• Chriss, Christina
• Dead In 5
• Kroll, Dirk
• Millerschin, Olivia
• Striho, Carolyn
• Warner, Gia

Outstanding Rock/Pop Vocalist   

• Chriss, Christina
• Christi'an, Steffanie
• Kroll, Dirk
• Payton, Barbara
• Striho, Carolyn
• Warner, Gia     

Outstanding Rock Recording 

• Dead In 5 - "American Death Machine"
• JC & The Disciples - "Hammered"
• Kaleido - "Pretending"
• Muggs, The- "Eye To Eye"
• Muggs, The - "Slave To Sound"
• Warhorses - "Shadow Gold"     

 

Urban   

Outstanding Urban Artist/Group   

• Bugs Beddow & The Good Stuff
• Detroit Academy Of Arts & Sciences Choir
• Groove Council, The
• Key, Chrissii
• Mainstreet Soul
• Omowale, Nadir   

Outstanding Urban Instrumentalist

• Green, Tony "T-Money"  - Bass
• Hawkins, Butter - Drums
• Mercer, Evan - Keyboards
• Orlando, Kat  -  Saxophone
• Spooner, Christopher - Bass
• TimBlackman -  Multi      

Outstanding Urban Songwriter   

• Erikson, Leaf
• Key, Chrissii
• Mayaeni
• Ms. Carmen
• Omowale, Nadir
• Orlando, Kat   

Outstanding Urban Vocalist   

• Key, Chrissii
• Mayaeni
• Ms. Carmen
• Murray, Kathleen
• Omowale, Nadir
• Orlando, Kat 

Outstanding Urban Recording   

• Detroit Academy of Arts & Sciences Choir - "One Nation: Detroit's Tribute To The Funk"
• Hardaway, Kendrick - "I'll Take You Back"
• Key, Chrissii - "Out Of My Control"
• Mayaeni -  "Underdog"
• Ms. Carmen ft: King Renigad - "This Is Crazy"
• Williams, Raye  - "Suicidal Heart"  

 

World Music   

Outstanding World Artist/Group   

• Audio:Birds   
• Corktown Popes
• Luddites, The
• McCabe, Maggie   
• Muruga Cosmic Boogie
• Sean Blackman's In Transit  

Outstanding World Instrumentalist   

• Blackman, Sean - Guitar
• Booker, Muruga - Drums 
• Bostek, Jamey – Trumpet   
• Megerian, Jim - Bass
• Simonson, James - Bass
• Taylor, Steve - Multi

Outstanding World Songwriter

• Burns, Terry
• Goedert, Lisa
• Kash, Tracy
• Marbrisa
• Matle, Rick
• Smith, Gerard
• Succari, Obed
• Nacif, Alberto  

Outstanding World Vocalist

• Burns, Terry
• Goedert, Lisa
• Kash, Tracy
• Marbrisa
• McCabe, Maggie
• Smith, Gerard

Outstanding World Recording

• Booker, Muruga - "Both Ends Of The Drum"
• Chaparro, Martin - "Two Worlds"
• Detroit Riddim Crew - "Detroit Riddim Crew & Friends"
• Kash, Tracy  - "Fierce"
• Marbrisa - "Ciclos"
• Simonson, James - "Realities"