The 17th Annual RAMI Awards Ceremony will honor and showcase the great musical talent from the Rockford and surrounding area.  This year's ceremony will feature performances by:  Emily Bear, the 2008 Youth Charity Jam winner Hope Despite, Southview, the Stevee Nix, Grupo Escape, the Salvation Army Temple Band, Starlite Radio, Southern Heritage, Red & PlayRay's review and Christine Knodle.

This year the RAMI Awards will be honoring groups, musicians and technicians in over 30 categories for their contribution to the local music scene.  Voting for the music categories was done by the public with the technician categories voted on by the RAMI Organization membership. 

The RAMI AWards help support the Gary Wilmer RAMI Music Scholarship which gave away a $3,000 scholarship this year.  The scholarship is available to graduating high seniors who plan on studying music in college.  Information on the scholarship is available at the Community Foundation of Illinois website located at http://www.cfnil.org/Scholarships/scholarships.asp.

This year's featured performers highlight some of the great talent from around the Rockford area.  Emily Bear is a young piano prodigy that has been seen three times on the Ellen DeGeners show and she has just played for the President and Mrs. Bush at the White House's Easter Egg Hunt.  Southview has a hard driving metal style that will rock the house.  The Stevee Nix, with 97 ZOK's own Steve Shannon, bring their modern rock style to the show.  Grupo Escape will get you up and dancing with some smooth latin sounds.  For those Country rock fans, Southern Heritage is sure to please.  Starlite Radio's melodic rock music is a fine example of the diverse talent we have in the Rockford area.  Red & PlayRay's Review features a jazz/R&B feel.  For the first time the RAMI Awards ceremony has the winner of this year's Youth Charity Jam, Hope Despite, performing.  Opening the ceremony will be the Salvation ARmy Temple Band.  Also, there is a special pre-show performance by RAMI Scholarship winner Christine Knodle.

The doors open at 6pm with Christine Knodle performing from 6pm to 6:45pm.  The show starts at 7pm. 

Tickets are $5 in advance or $7 at the door.  Tickets are available online at www.ramiawards.com or at the following locations:

The Rockford Area Arts Council, 713 E State St.
Minglewood, 1302 Broadway
The Postal Shoppe, 1643 N Alplin in the Edgebrook Center
The Postal Shoppe, 2205 S Perryville Road

Proceeds of the event go towards growing the Gary Wilmer Memorial Scholarship fund.  Sponsors of the event are:  Lamonica Beverages, Beetcafe.com, the Rock River Times, Guzzardo Music, Moments Video, Sound Concepts and the RAMI Organization.

17th Annual RAMI Awards
Thursday April 10th
7pm
Tebala Shrine Temple
7910 Newburg Road
Rockford, Illinois

Note:  The Newburg Road bridge over I90 is closed.  Use East State street and turn south at Lyford Road or Harrison Ave and turn north on Mill Road to get to the Shrine Temple.