More than 20 local groups to perform at WYCE Jammie Awards

On Friday, February 13, the Grand Rapids independent radio station WYCE will host a five-and-a-half-hour long award show featuring a long list of favorite Michigan musicians. The Jammie awards showcase and honor the work of local musicians and producers. This year's event is all ages and will take place at The Intersection from 5:30-11 p.m., during which over 20 bands will perform on two different stages. Prospective attendees can see them all for free, but donations to WYCE are encouraged.

In their last 15 years, the WYCE Jammie Awards have become an opportunity for a variety of local groups to perform under one roof and highlight the music that's made in Michigan. Attendees of the show can see groups they know and love and maybe even discover a new favorite act.

"The event is important to WYCE because it surely brings new listeners to the station but it’s an even better opportunity for fans," says WYCE Program Director Matt Jarrells. "It would take months to see this many artists in concert; with the Jammies, folks can make a plan and see all their favorites while inevitably discovering someone completely new."

A variety of Grand Rapids's own musicians, new and veteran alike, will perform at the show. For them, the Jammies are an opportunity to reach a new audience as well as support a community organization that supports their music.

"Over the years the Jammies have become a night for the whole music community to come together and celebrate and share," says Scott Rider, drummer for Valentiger. "Being able to play your music in front of all the people you respect is an honor."

"There is incredible diversity in the Grand Rapids music community, and the Jammies provide a rare chance to get musicians of all genres under the same roof and on the same stage," says Troy Reimink, guitarist and percussionist for Ghost Heart and volunteer programmer for WYCE.

Ghost Heart released their latest album in late November 2014, and winning a Jammie for their hard work would be "cool," Reimink says, "but I think that's sort of beside the point. With the Jammies, the awards themselves seem secondary to the goal of getting as many musicians and music fans together to celebrate all the great stuff released locally in the past year."

Reimink says that beyond celebrating Michigan's local musical talent, the Jammies are an opportunity to recognize an organization that exists to support that talent.

"I think a lot of people don't realize how rare it is to have a resource like WYCE and the GRCMC in a city this size. So celebrating WYCE's role in the community is another important component of the Jammies, again, more so than what specific artist might win what award," Reimink says.

For other artists, the Jammies provide a larger venue that can accommodate a larger sound, as is the case for local folk songwriter Tom Hymn.

"I look forward to playing with a full band again. This doesn't happen very often for me and this will be a wonderful occasion to get loud and gritty and play in front of some new eyes and ears," he says.

Valentiger, Ghost Heart and Tom Hymn will all be performing at this year's Jammies show, alongside groups from around the state.

Jammies attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items and gently used clothing for donation to local nonprofits. Those who wear their pajamas to the show or who donate a minimum of $10 to WYCE will receive a free album from the WYCE collection.

This year, the party won't stop at 11 p.m. An after party hosted by local musician Seth Bernard will begin at 11:30 p.m. for those over the age of 21. Bell's Brewery is sponsoring the whole event and will save one special tap for the after party.