Official Nominees

Vote for Your Favorites!

The Dallas Entertainment Awards are back for their 2nd year—bigger and better than ever! This year, we’ve added even more categories to spotlight the best of DFW, from live acts and instrumentalists to venues and performance artists. Cast your votes now through January 21st, and join us as we announce the winners live at the ceremony!

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And the Nominees Are!

CONTENT & RELEASES

Song of the Year
David Forsyth, Frankie Leonie - “Love Comes Back Around”
Wondergang - “Senorita”
Dev Wulf & The Midnight Howl - “Guiding Light”
Remy Reilly - “Yes Man”
Cure For Paranoia, We Them Grays, The Institute - “Love (Again)”
1WillAye ft loner club - “Closer to You”
NITE - “All Your Pain”
Gracen Wynn - “Stop the Car”

Album of the Year
Cyfa Fix - “Finally”
Rosegarden Funeral Party - “From the Ashes”
Cayuga All-Stars - “El Ritmo del Barrio”
Lary Gee - “The Get Back”
Lamar Adot Thomas - “The Greater Ebenezer”

EP of the Year
Amethyst Michelle - “Through the Tears”
Astrogiirl - “Lovergiirl”
Devy Stonez - “Tuff”
Pierce Washington - “Remedies”
Pet Taxi - “Villian”

Best Hip Hop Song
Wondergang - “Senorita”
Cyfa - “Been That”
Lamar Adot Thomas - “Eviction Notice”
Scuttino, Brandon Fxrd, Latrell De'Sean - “All in my Vibe”
Devy Stonez - “Tuff”
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Best Pop Song
Gracen Wynn - “Stop the Car”
Carissa Cruz - “All my Life”
Porsha Jay - “Gin & Tonic”
Sam Cormier - “dirtyu”
Loren Kole - “ashes”

Best Duo/Group Song
1WILLAYE, Loners Club - “Close to You”
Blue Capricorn, Jack Haupt - “Fantôme, Je Ne Ressentirai Rien”
Cure For Paranoia, We Them Grays, The Institute - “Love (Again)”
Stan Fran Cisco, Chilldren of Indigo - “Neighborhood Narnia”
Ashleigh Smith, Verb Culture - “His Dream”

Best R&B Song
Astrogiirl - “What They Want “
Uncle Jeff, Beaux Dove, Tim Starling, Jesse Jayy - “Everything”
Dana Harper - “Wood Burnt Orange”
Maria Carmen - “Commit”
Dee Gatti - “No Favors”

Best Rock Song
Bad Lives - “Indigo Girl”
Trees Marie - “Run to the Sturgeon Moon”
CURL - “*”
Rosegarden Funeral Party - “Doorway Ghost”
Pet Taxi - “Villian”

Best Latin Song
Alex O’Aiza - “YNMA”
Sabor Puro Cumbia - Eztrellas Brillantez”
Cayuga All-Stars - “El Ritmo del Barrio”
Ceci Ceci - “Malos Modales”
Muriel - Él”

Best Country Song
Justin Ross and The Deadwood Revival - “The Rain”
Kameron Ross - “I Can't Forget Him”
Runaway Sky - “Arizona”
Paige Hill - “Dear Dallas”
Mitchell Ferguson - “All I Need to Hear”

Music Video of the Year
Rosegarden Funeral Party - “Doorway Ghost”
From The Tides - “Miserable End”
Furlow ft. Othaelevated - “The Reaper”
Remy Reilly - “Half Price Books”
Pat Ron, Coach Tev - “Zac Efron”

Best New Artist
Astrogiirl
Loren Kole
Pet Taxi
Rebelle Flor
Stephen Cue

Artist of the Year
Cory Cross
Cyfa Fix
Rosegarden Funeral Party
Creator Jewels
Ravs

BEST DJ

DJ of The Year
Christy Ray
Willie Dutch
Redeye
Cozy Campos
Gabe Mendoza

Best DJ Residency
House of Freqs - Saturdays at Double D’s
Melissa Meaow - Charlie's Star Lounge
Byron Laszlo / Lord Byron - Sons of Hermann Hall
Wanz Dover Cosmique Discotheque - LadyLove
Branoofunck - Sunday’s at Armoury D.E.

Best Weekly DJ Residency
The Church at It'll Do Sundays - It’ll Do
Sensei Blue - Thursday’s at Double D’s
Oscar Lozada - Saturday's at Reveler's Hall
DJ Imperial D - Friday's at The Nines
Boom Boom Pum - Saturday's at Cheapsteaks

Best DJ Party
Super Sonic Bass Party - Charlie’s Star Lounge
All Everything Party - RBC
Fluid Construction - Rubbergloves Studios
Naturalhiiigh - Pull Up at Charlie’s Star Lounge
Wanz Dover - Future Shock at Charlies Star Lounge
Best Vinyl DJ
Willie Dutch
Gabe Mendoza
Leo J
Wanz Dover
Dj Sober

Best DJ Crew
Arcadia
BusyBody
Friends & Family
Soho Dallas
SHAKEDWN

Best Turn Out and Turn Up
Christy Ray
La Bruja
Oscar Lozada
Family & Friends
Jake Gatewood

VENUES, RESIDENCIES, & PROMOTERS

Best Live Venue Under 300 Capacity
Three Links Deep Ellum
Ruins
The Free Man
Reveler's Hall
Doublewide
Best Live Venue Over 301-1000 Capacity
Rubbergloves
The Kessler Theater
The Echo Lounge & Music Hall
Texas Theater
Trees

Best Non-Traditional Venue
Which House
Cash Advance
New Media Contemporary
West Side Art Collective
Spinster Records

Best Talent Buyer
Third String Entertainment
Distorted Heartbeat
At The Helm Presents
Chasquis Group
Spune

Best Party Producer
Blake Ward
Sarah Badran
Jake Gatewood
Debbiedoesdisco
Bleach

Best Live Music Residency
The Found Thursday Nights
BRANOOFUNCK Sundays
Rav's & The Akrylx Family Dinner Sundays
The Reveler's Hall Band
Colab Tuesdays

Best Open Mic/ Jam Night
SheRose's Open Mic Mondays (OMM)
The People's Jam(ie) at Cheapsteaks
Singer Songwriter Social Justin Pickard
Verb Kulture Sundays at The Free Man
Opening Bell Open Mic

Best Live Music Series
Dallas Ambient music nights
Taylor Morgan TaylorMade Tuesday’s
Cure For Paranoia, We Them Grays, Curl, Scuttino at The Kessler
Reveler's Hall Band
Triumph's Jazz

Best Music Festival
Deep Ellum Block Party
TwoGether land
State Fair Series
TBAAL Jazz Riverfront Jazz Festival
Dallas Pride Festival

Best DJ Venue
Charlie’s Star Lounge
It’ll Do Club
Double Ds
Atlas Bishop Arts
LadyLove

Best Record Store
Top 10 Records
Spinster Records
Josey Records
Good Records
Black Cat Records and Comics

Best Karaoke NIght
Charlie's Star Lounge - Friday Nite Karaoke
Twilite Lounge - Thursday with KJ Javier
Elm Street Saloon - Karaoke Totally Twisted
Round Up Saloon - Maybeleen's Monday Karaoke
Barbara's Pavillion Thursday NIght Karaoke

Best Door Person
Spencer Baxter - Charlies Star Lounge
Nigel Armstrong - Three Links
Kenneth Fridia - Cheapsteaks
Ben Nydendwa - Double D’s
Blaine Mathis - RBC

Best Bartender
Ricardo Ocasio - Round Up
Clint Palmer aka Batman - Three Links, The Nines, Renos
Anthony Blaine DeAlcuaz - Charlie's Star Lounge
Elizabeth Mitchell - Doublewide
Antonio Perez - Elm Street Saloon

Best Art Gallery
Daisha Board Gallery West
Kettle Art Gallery
Pencil on Paper Gallery
Ro2 Art
Talley Dunn Gallery

LIVE MUSIC ACTS

Best Traditional R&B Act
Tricky Weather
Natoree Zelai
RC & the Gritz
Paloma Nance
Beaux Dove

Best Contemporary R&B Act
Porsha Jay
Loners Club
Dana Harper
Polo the Vibe
Maya Piata

Best Funk/Soul Act
The Rosemont Kings
Chef Dee
We Them Grays
RC & The Gritz
Azwalf Hazworf & The Love Session Orchestra
Best Hip Hop Group
The Chilldren of Indigo
Cure For Paranoia
Wondergang
Branoofunck
Electrik Ants

Best Hip Hop Solo Act
Lundun Taylor/Cyfa Fix
Flozilla Flower Child
Lamar Adot Thomas
Pierce Washington
Devy Stonez

Best Country Act
Jacob Price Zazz and the Loose Ends
Runaway Sky Band
Kameron Ross
Cory Cross
Angel White

Best Traditional Latin Act
Sabor Puro
Cayuga All-Stars
Los Gran Reyes
Alex O'Aiza
Vanita Leo

Best Blues Act
Isaac Sloane and the Sound Brigade
Jake Quillin
Miss Marcy & The Texas Sugardaddys
Tin & Tonic
Aristide Garofalo

Best Rock Act
The Desk Jockeys
Rosegarden Funeral Party
King Clam
Nip Slip
Trees Marie

Best Punk Act
The Wee-Beasties
Overshare
The Two Watts
Asshats
King Clam

Best Psychedelic Act
Calvin Ascends
Chemical Spell
Helium Queens
Maestro Maya
Dust Mothers

Best Alternative Rock Act
Roach Noises
FIT
LIGHTHOUSE
Wolves Reign
CURL

Best Americana Act
Dev Wulf & The Midnight Howl
Mimo Morreale
Justin Pickard and the Thunderbird Winos
Dean Ray
Remy Reilly

Best Metal Act
Viridescent
UnityTX
Toxic Madness
Deviation
Flesh Rot

Best Pop Act
Lorena Leigh
Elyse Jewel
Gracen Wynn
Alexandra
Lina Mapes

Best Electronic Act
Zeke Forever
Cygnus
Stan Fran Cisco
Keyring
FullyMaxxed

Best Experimental/Noise Act
Orangutan Superlove
Church for the World
Blue Capricorn
Elizabeth Garcia /UXRA
Keyring

Best Ambient Act
Talambas
Black Taffy
Lorelei K
Lily Taylor
American Cruelty

Best Traditional Jazz Act
The Revelers Hall Band
Bishop Avenue Hot Six
Shelley Carrol
Myron Oliver
Reggie T and the Boneheadz

Best Tribute Act
Lover Taylor Tribute
Oatmeal Pizza
We Them Grays
Saborpurocumbia
The Clinton Years

AUDIO, VISUAL, MEDIA, & RADIO

Best Live Sound Engineer
Scott Latimer - Rubbergloves
Zach Stacy - Trees
Kristian Ryan Harvey - Armoury D.E.
James Talambas - New Media Contemporary
Geoff Lloyd - Club Dada

Best Audio Engineer
Aaron Wolpin
Michael Briggs
James Talambas
Matt Kennedy (Empire Sound Studio)
Alex Beane

Best Recording Studio
Greenville Ave Studios
Civil Audio by Michael Briggs
The Kitchen Studio
Aaron Payton
Elmwood Recording
Best Record Label
Ska Punk International Records
Idol Records
Memory Terminal
Skylark Soul Co
State Fair Records

Best SongWriter
Katherine Paterson
Ryan Harrison
Leah Lane
Justin Cashion
Jessica Maeve

Best Visual Artist Collaborator
Josh Still Pimpin
Leeon Lean
Jeremy Biggers
Izk Davies
Rodney Jumah

Best Podcast
The Austin Young Show
A Fifth of Something
The Dirty Bag Podcast
Dallas Famous Podcast
Right On Target Podcast

Best Podcast Host
Austin Young
D. Miles/Miles OT
Cookie Brown
Andrew Sherman
Jason Janik

Best Radio Station
KUZU
KNON
KHYI 95.3 The Range
KXT
97.9 The Beat

Best Radio Show
The Catacombs - 89.3FM KNON
Flash45s - 89.3FM KNON
inHAUS Radio. - 92.9 KUZU
Kick Push Radio -
Homegrown Local BItes - 91.7 KXT

Best Radio Host
Jessica Waffles - KXT
Flash45s - KNON
Krystina Ray! - 97.1 Eagle
Paul Slavens - KXT
Lil D - K104

Best Art & Culture Blog
Sounds of DFW
Denton Live
Dallas Observer
D Magazine
KXT

Best Art & Culture Journalist
Sarah Hepola - Dallas Morning News
Jamie Vahala - Dallas Observer
Lauren Negrete - CW33 (KDAF) DFW
Alex Gonzalez - Dallas Observer, D Magazine
Preston Jones - Dallas Observer, KXT

Best PR Marketing Firm
Creative Currency
BOLD Social
Rabbit Hat Promotions
Arias WebsterBerry (WebsterBerry Marketing)
Lan Rose PR

Best Editorial Photographer
Maia Tharp
Karlo X Ramos
Jacob Small
Faith Thompson
Emory Eagles

Best Concert Photographer
Jason Janik
Erin Nicole Parisi
Madison Truscan
Jessica Waffles
Andrew Sherman

Best Videographer
Matt Mauch
Alec Miramontes
Michael Williams
Jeffrey Ortiz
Markel Logan

DRAG, BURLESQUE, & PERFORMING ARTS

Best Drag Late Show
Raquel Blake "Plan B" - RoundUp Saloon
Mustache Envy - Sue Ellens
Saloon Girls - RoundUp Saloon
Genderfuck - Sue Ellens
Freakshow - J.R.’s

Best Drag Brunch
Buck Wyldes Sausage Party
Hamburger Mary’s
Fly Queens Drag Brunch
Virgin Drag Brunch
Moondance Brunch

Best Burlesque Show
Nightshade Burlesque
Plumb Askew Review
Circus Bitties
Lolli Bombs
Carousel Club Burlesque

Best Drag Queen
Emeka Bless
Raquel Blake
May May Graves
Arya Jealous
Salem Moon
Best Drag King
Buck Wylde
Danny Fox-Trot
Psyril Cybin
Logan Liqueur
Varrus Graves

Best Burlesque Performer
Krista V King
Minxie Mimieux
Sodi Moore
Delilah Dubois
Vivienne Vermuth

Best Performing Visual Artist
Zachary J Willis - Actor
Christina Austin Lopez - Actor
April May - Hula Hooper
The Kiki & Coco Show - Performance Artist
Amy H Graves - Pole Acrobats

Best Magician
Confetti Eddie
Josh Ayala
Ritchy Flo
Robert John Magic
Zak Mirz

Best Comedian
Raquel Blake
Dante Martinez
Vinnie Corrales
Stefan G
Payton Payne

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