On January 25, during the NAMM show, women in the music industry came together to recognize their peers during the 7th annual She Rocks Awards at the House of Blues in Anaheim.
The dynamic evening started on the red carpet. Many talented artists arrived for an evening of notable performances, amazing swags, and awards including the lifetime achievement award honoring Janis Joplin. Joplin’s siblings, Laura and Michael attended to honor their sister. From the Red carpet I caught up with them and Laura related. “We’re very excited. She knew how to rock and she keeps rockin’ and we’re gonna have a good time with her.”
Laura and Michael Joplin, siblings of the legendary artist, the late Janis Joplin
The show was hosted by She Rocks co-founder Laura Whitemore, KTTV/11 news anchor Christine Devine and Yahoo music editor Lyndsey Parker. It was Parker’s first time attending and hosting the event. I asked her how she felt being part of this award by women for women. Lindsey remarked, “I cannot even believe they asked me to do it. I’m so honored. I grew up trying to dye my hair to look like Terri Nunn. Before I had Lasik surgery, I wore Lisa Loeb style glasses. Just the fact there are so many fabulous women being honored tonight and I get to be even part of it…it’s really exciting for me. I’m really looking forward to the performances. I’m usually in the audience, and not on the House of Blues stage. So to be part of the in crowd is kinda cool.”
Christine Devine, Los Angeles based television news anchor at KTTV’s Fox 11 News
Yahoo music editor Lyndsey Parker
Aiza, a two-time winner at the Montreal English Theater Awards, mentioned from the red carpet, “I am very excited to meet so many heavyweights in the music industry. Just to be considered part of this network is a huge honor for me. And the song is a lot of fun and I intend to shine just what it says in the song.” She gave a show stopping performance of her song that night.
Aiza, guest performer at Sa two-time winner at the Montreal English Theater Awards, performs at She Rocks.
A rockin’ talent off the stage is Dale Krevens who was presented with the Mad Skills Award. Dale is the VP and co-founder of pre-amp and amplifier manufacturer, Tech 21. On the red carpet Dale said about being honored at She Rocks Award, “I’m really happy about it cause it coincides with the 30th anniversary of Tech 21 so it’s the perfect timing and it just makes everything really special.”
Dale Kreven VP and co-founder of pre-amp and amplifier manufacturer, Tech 21 was presented with the Mad Skills Award
Inside the House of Blues, the awards unfolded with a mix of introductions, remarkable performances and emotional acceptance speeches. London/Belfast-based alternative rock-pop duo REWS, who came across the pond to attend, kicked off the event.
Mindi Abair who dedicated her amazing performance to the women who inspire her and to celebrate womanhood mentioned, “This is incredible girl power and I think this is such an amazing night that we can celebrate women for those of us who are performing. It’s just fun to get together and play together and be together and kinda feel each other’s power. It’s great.”
Mindi Abair, saxophonist received She Rocks Awards in 2015
The ceremony continued with Laura Whitmore, the founder of the Women’s International Music Network (WIMN) and She Rocks Awards. She officially welcomed the audience and also acknowledged the previous She Rocks honorees in the audience. Whitmore stated “From the beginning, the She Rocks Awards has focused on bringing women together to share, to empower and to enlighten ….. and tonight is no different. We must continue to build on the progress we have made and the Women’s International Music Network focuses on doing just that…. as awareness of gender inequality and the need for more diversity grows we must amplify the conversation and bring more voices into it to create more conversations. Portions of the proceeds will support the NAMM foundation, an organization that funds programs in music education.”
Laura Whitmore, the founder of the Women’s International Music Network (WIMN) and She Rocks Awards
Two of the music icons I grew up with in the ’80s and the ’90s were Terri Nunn of the band Berlin who received the Icon Award and Lisa Loeb who had the number one hit song “Stay” from the Reality Bites soundtrack. Lisa Loeb received the Spirit Award.
Terri Nunn of the band Berlin received the Icon Award from She Rocks Awards
Lisa Loeb who has been at the She Rocks Awards for the third time mentioned, “I’m happy to be here. I’m happy to be in this community of women musicians… people in the music industry. It’s always such a great mix of people.”
Lisa Loeb and the Canadian band The Command Sisters.
After receiving Lisa’s Spirit award, she enthusiastically said “The many decades of being a musician now, I have really embraced the community of women in our industry and I come to cherish being part of this creative, strong, persistent, beautiful, multitasking group of women. I respect all the men in my life that I work with and I collaborate with but there’s something really special about the community of women. Becoming part of this community of women who rock has been a bonus, something that I didn’t know about when I started out and it’s something that I can be really proud of. It’s about connecting with people and telling a story and the excitement about what’s next.”
Lisa Loeb receives the Spirit Award
After Lisa Loeb’s performance of her hit song “Stay” with the Canadian band Command Sisters, Terri Nunn performed her mega hit “Metro”. I asked Terri on the red carpet what is her secret sauce to still rockin’ after 40 years in an extremely competitive business. “I love it. I’m still excited by it. But I feel as grateful as anybody else. I didn’t know it will last this long. I am amazed as you are.” Terri is working on her new album.
Nita Strauss receives the Inspire Award at She Rocks Awards
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