Sat 3/7 @ 7-11:30PM
A legend of Akron’s music scene, Chris Butler — of 15-60-75 (The Numbers Band), Tin Huey and the Waitresses — has a deep love for Rubber City bands old and new.
It’s the latter that now has his attention with the new Akron Music Awards highlighting local bands of note, but also providing them with financial incentive to keep their respective projects alive.
“I like the idea of unifying the whole scene because the nice thing is Akron is already on the map,” Butler said. “So how about recognizing that we do have a rich music history commercially and in terms of creativity? So let’s try and put people in touch with each other.”
Inspiring Butler to create the inaugural Akron Music Awards was Northeast Ohio’s Panza Foundation, which provides monetary grants to support local, independent musicians, bands and musical endeavors.
“I was really impressed with how the Panza Foundation organized the music scene in finding bands who could benefit from a little stipend,” said Butler, who reached out to the Cleveland-based nonprofit for guidance.
They in turn recommended the inaugural group of Akron Music Awards honorees, which will be performing at the March 7 ceremony taking place at Musica.
The winner is thrash-surf act the Beyonderers with honorable mentions going to power-pop band Fancy Legs and indie outfit Funeral Proposals. All of the groups will receive a monetary donation to help with recording costs, gear upgrades or merch, as well as access to the Panza Foundation’s creative and music business resources.
In addition to Butler donating funds, the Black Keys’ drummer Patrick Carney also kicked in some cash to help out the Akron-based bands.
As far as how to quantify the Akron Music Awards becoming a success story, Butler said the criteria is simple:
“I have ridiculously unrealistic expectations and goals for this,” Butler said. “If it’ll be a success if the bands kept going and if Akron has more of a recognized scene of people working together.
“For example, if Band A knows about Band B’s recording studio, they can get together. Also, if we can raise a consciousness amongst club owners that there’s a scene here and you might want to think about paying your bands a little more. That would be a win for me.”
Akron, OH 44308