This year's best local music: One week later and right on time

The 23rd annual San Diego Music Awards

Author

By Bart Mendoza

Publish Date

Oct. 17, 2013

The Schitzophonics celebrate their win.

The 23rd Annual San Diego Music Awards took place October 16 at Humphrey’s by Bay before a sold-out crowd of 1344. Presented by the nonprofit San Diego Music Foundation and organized by Kevin Hellman, the event raised $16,742 for the Guitars for Schools program, bringing guitars and music education into area schools in conjunction with Taylor guitars. Originally scheduled for October 9, the show was moved to its new date due to rain.

Sara Petite just prior to her win for Best Americana

Performers on the night included Sara Petite and the Sugar Daddies, the Blackout Party, Palace Ballroom, Sara Watkins, Tristan Prettyman, and Lifetime Achievement Award winner Daniel Jackson. The show's shift to a week later meant that Heavy Guilt, who was already committed to a West Coast tour, ended up being replaced by Old Tiger. This worked out perfectly as Old Tiger took home the “Best Pop Album” award for their disc, Love Have Mercy and the Heavy Guilt won a trophy for “Best Alternative Group.”

Trio Old Tiger took home an SDMA for best pop album, Love have Mercy.

Twenty-eight awards were handed out by an array of local TV and radio personalities, ranging from FM 94.9 DJ Tim Pyles to Sound Diego host Daye Salini, with the biggest response to any of the presenters being for KUSI’s Michael Turko. Two new awards debuted this year, “Best Live Band,” which went to the Creepy Creeps, and “Best Music video,” which was won by Slightly Stoopid for their clip “Don’t Stop.”

Jazz cats Rob Thorsen, Wayne Riker, and multiple-award-winner Gilbert Castellanos!

The show, which is programmed to the minute, ran smoothly and on time, though Jackson, who was backed by an all-star combo that included pianist Mike Wofford and bassist Marshall Hawkins, performed a second, non-scheduled song, much to the surprise of organizers, but to the clear delight of the audience who gave Jackson several standing ovations.

The night’s big winner was jazz trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos, who took home three trophies including Artist of the Year, Best Jazz Artist, and Best Jazz Album, for his disc The Federal Jazz Project. Silent Comedy was the only other band to score more than one award, taking home both Best Pop Artist and Song of the Year for their tune "God Neon."

During his onstage presentation about the event, Hellman pointed out that this award show is about more than just celebrating San Diego’s musicians. "Forty-five-thousand kids have used those guitars. That’s a lot of kids," he said, holding up a giant oversized check. “We can't thank you enough for continuing to support music in our community."

The 2013 San Diego Music Awards Winners:

Artist of the Year – Gilbert Castellanos