Awards
Celebrate the remarkable winners of the 1st Annual Dallas Entertainment Awards, explore this year's categories, check out the guidelines for voting & eligibility—& don’t forget to nominate your favorites.
You’re a Winner, Baby!
Last year, Dallas' entertainment scene was epic! Cheers to our winners, who poured their heart and soul into their craft, pushing boundaries and deserving all the recognition.
BEST
Best Talent Buyer: Third String
Best Producer: Michael Briggs
Best Overall DJ: DJ Sober
Best R&B Act: Dana Harper
Best Hip/Hop Group: Cure For Paranoia
Best Portrait Photographer: Kathy Tran
Best Hip Hop DJ: DJ Leo J
Art/Culture Journalist of the Year: Jessica Waffles
Best Rock Vocalist: Scarlett McPherson
Best Jazz Act: The Funky Knuckles
Best Graphics/Flyer Designer: DJ Sober
Best DJ Crew: House of Freqs
Best Drummer: Dwayne Berry (Gummi)
Best Bassist: KJ Gray
Best Guitarist: Justin Lyons
Song of the Year: "From Texas" Cure For Paranoia, The Institute, Pat Ron
Album of the Year: "Live in Paris" RC & The Gritz
EP of the Year: "East Texas Diaries" Jake Quillin
Music Video of the Year: "Almost Heaven" Rosegarden Funeral Party
Best Comedian: Ralph Barbosa
Best Illusionist/Magician: Confetti Eddie
Best Visual Performance Artist or Group: Jada Pinket Fox - Rocky Horror
Best Burlesque Performer: Vivienne Vermuth
Best Drag King: Buck Wylde
Best Drag Queen: May May Graves
Best Burlesque: Lollie Bombs Burlesque
IN
Best Drag Brunch: Hamburger Mary's
Best Drag "Late Show": Rose Room S4
Best DJ Party Night: Two Step Tuesdays at Doublewide
Best Latin DJ: DJ Turo
Best New Wave DJ: DJ Gabe Mendoza
Best Techno DJ: DJ Junkfood
Best House DJ: DJ Sober
Best Party Producer: Blake Ward
Best Live Music Residency: The Reveler's Hall Band
Best Trumpet: Kazu Tanaka
Best Concert Photographer: Jessica Waffles
Best PR/Marketing Firm for Art/Culture: Culture Hype
Best Art/Culture Blog: Dallas Observer
Best Radio Host: Veda Loca
Best Radio Show: KXT Local Show
Best Radio Station: KNΟΝ 89.3 Best
Podcast Host: Austin
Young Best Podcast: Dallas Famous
Best Visual Artist: Frank Campagna
Best Songwriter: Cassie Holt
Best Record Label: Deep Ellum 100
Best Audio Engineer: Michael Briggs
Best Audio Recording Studio: Greenville Ave Recording Studio
Best Classical Strings: Brianne Sargent
Best Auxiliary Percussionist: Frank Mocha
Best Saxophone: Shelley Carrol
Best Trombone: Reggie Tbone Terrell
Best Pianist: Poppy Xander
Best Soul Vocalist: Dana Harper
CLASS
Best Jazz Vocalist: Ashleigh Smith
Best Pop Vocalist: Elyse Jewel
Best Gospel Act: Chadney Christle
Best Reggae/Afro Act: Dos Negros
Best Tribute Act: Le Cure
Best Traditional Pop Act: The Reveler's Hall Band
Best Experimental/Noise Act: Lily Taylor
Best Dance/Electronica Act: Ishi
Best Pop Act: Lorelei K.
Best Funk/Soul Act: RC & The Gritz
Best Metal Act: Toxic Madness
Best Americana Act: Justin Prickard & The Thunderbird Wings
Best Alternative Rock Act: Roach Noises
Best Psychedelic Rock Act: Pearl Earl
Best Punk Rock Act: King Clam
Best Rock Act: The Texas Gentlemen
Best Latin Act: Ceci Ceci
Best Blues Act: Tin & Tonic
Best Country Act: Kameron Ross
Best Hip Hop Solo Act: Honey Banks
Best Bartender: Korin Medina
Best Door Person: Vera "Velma"
Best Karaoke Night: Charlie's Star Lounge "Friday Nite Karaoke"
Best DJ Venue: It'll Do
Best Festival: Deep Ellum Music Festival
Best Sound Technician: Geoff Lloyd
Best Live Venue 301-1000 Capacity: Trees
Best Live Venue Under 300 Capacity: Three Links
Lifetime Achievement: Liz Mikel
Lifetime Achievement: John Rody
Ultimate Fashion Icon: Charles Smith II
And the Categories Are! Shout Out Your Favorites!
The 2nd Annual Dallas Entertainment Awards is back, and it’s your chance to lift up the extraordinary folks shaping our local arts scene!
We’re rolling out even more categories this year to celebrate everyone from poets to drag queens, musicians to DJs. Check out the categories and get ready to give your favorites the recognition they deserve! Nominations open November 1, 2024.
CONTENT & RELEASES
Song of the Year
Album of the Year (contains more than 6 tracks, between 30 - 60 minutes)
EP of the Year (contains 3 - 6 tracks, between 15 - 29 minutes)
Best Duo/Group Song
Best R&B Song
Best Rock Song
Best Latin Song
Best Country Song
Best Hip Hop Song
Best Pop Song
Best New Artist
Artist of the Year
Music Video of the Year
*the nominees in these categories will be reviewed for content by a panel of technical experts to ensure quality & integrity.
LIVE MUSIC ACTS
Best Traditional R&B Act
Best Contemporary R&B Act
Best Funk/Soul Act
Best Hip Hop Solo Act
Best Hip Hop Group Act
Best Country Act
Best Traditional Latin Act
Best Latin Contemporary Act
Best Tropical Act
Best Reggae Act
Best Blues Act
Best Rock Act
Best Punk Act
Best Psychedelic Act
Best Alternative Rock Act
Best Americana Act
Best Metal Act
Best Pop Act
Best Electronic Act
Best Experimental / Noise Act
Best Ambient Act
Best Traditional Jazz Act
Best Experimental Jazz Act
Best Tribute Act
Best Gospel Act
BEST DJ
DJ of the Year
Best DJ Residency
Best Weekly DJ Residency
Best DJ Party
Best Vinyl DJ
Best DJ Crew
Best DJ w/ Live Music Act
Best Turn Out & Turn Up (the DJ who always brings the party & creates immaculate vibes)
VENUES, RESIDENCIES, & PROMOTERS
Best Live Venue Under 300 Capacity
Best Live Venue 301 - 1000 Capacity
Best Non-Traditional Venue - (DIY spaces, galleries, record shops, etc)
Best Talent Buyer
Best Party Producer
Best Live Music Residency
Best Live Music Series / Showcase
Best Open Mic / Jam Night
Best Music Festival
Best DJ Venue
Best Karaoke Night
Best Door Person
Best Bartender
Best Comedy Venue
ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Lifetime Achievement Award (an individual whose exceptional contributions have profoundly shaped the Dallas entertainment landscape)
“Big D” Award (an individual who has tirelessly worked to elevate the Dallas entertainment scene, deserving special recognition for their invaluable contributions, regardless of category—we see you.)
*final selection by the DEA Committee
INSTRUMENTALISTS
Best Pop Vocalist
Best Jazz Vocalist
Best Soul Vocalist
Best Rock Vocalist
Best Pianist
Best Guitarist
Best Bassist
Best Drummer
Best Trumpet
Best Trombone
Best Saxophonist
Best Auxiliary Percussionist
Best Classical Strings
AUDIO, VISUAL, MEDIA, & RADIO
Best Live Sound Engineer
Best Recording Studio
Best Audio Engineer
Best Music Producer
Best Record Label - local
Best Songwriter
Visual Artist Collaborator
Best Graphic Artist
Best Podcast
Best Podcast Host
Best Radio Station
Best Radio Show
Best Radio Host
Best Art & Culture Blog
Best Arts & Culture Journalist
Best PR & Marketing Firm
Best Editorial Photographer
Best Concert Photographer
Best Videographer
DRAG, BURLESQUE, & PERFORMING ARTS
Best Drag Late Show
Best Drag Brunch
Best Burlesque Show
Best Drag Queen
Best Drag King
Best Burlesque Performer
Best Performing Visual Artist (dance, aeriat, fire, acrobatics, any theatrical performer with a visual focus)
Fashion Icon (a fashion visionary with a unique aesthetic, bold choices that inspire others & elevate self-expression)
Best Fashion Designer
Best Magician
Best Comedian
Best Poet
The Fine Print
Rules & Eligibility
Let’s keep it real—fairness is the name of the game at the Dallas Entertainment Awards. We’ve laid out all the details on the nomination and voting process. This section breaks down eligibility, criteria and those all-important deadlines. Make sure you’re in the know so your voice can be heard loud and clear as we honor the talent that makes our community shine!
Nominations Open: November 1st—Nominate Your Favorites
Nominations Close: December 31st
Nominees Announced: January 7th
Official Voting Opens: January 7th
Official Voting Closes: January 21st