The source of this information are two articles written by Jon Bream in the Star Tribune, dated July 3 and July 8, 1994, and an addendum printed on July 9, 1994. Only the winners were reported; information on nominees would be very welcome.
I apologize for any misspellings of anyone’s name; it could be from the source, or it could be from my typing. Please contact me if you need to have something corrected. Thanks!
For other years, see MINNESOTA MUSIC AWARDS.
DATE: July 7, 1994
PLACE: First Avenue
HOST: Comic Lizz Winstead
PERFORMERS
Doc Severinson, who was in town as the principal pops conductor of the Minnesota Orchestra, led an all-star Minnesota band in a 25-minute instrumental tribute to Minnesota music, midway through the five-hour ceremony. His performance included:
- “Diamonds & Pearls” by Prince
- “Calling You,” by Jevetta Steele
- “Funkytown,” with a Hammond organ solo y Jack McDuff
Then three rap groups, Full Circle, Micranots, and Loose Lips, gave Severinson a rap tribute.
Other performers included:
- Sounds of Blackness
- Red Red Groovy
- Curbfeelers
NOTES:
Winners were chosen by about 150 members of the Minnesota Music Academy.
Paul Westerberg won major awards for artist, album, and single of the year, but did not attend the ceremony. His friend, Jim Walsh, critic for the St. Paul Pioneer Press, accepted on his behalf, and said that Westerberg “said he was very excited ut not excited enough to come out tonight.” Almost half of the 50 award-winners were also no-shows.
Casey Jones (Roger Awsumb) was in the audience, and sang “Walking in my Winter Underwear” and “The Happy Birthday Song” from “Lunch With Casey,” with a bonus rap version of the latter.
There appears to be no Connie Hechter Award.
MAJOR AWARDS
ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Paul Westerberg
GIG OF THE YEAR: Minnesota Music Academy Presents Minnesota Music at the Fine Line
MAJOR LABEL ALBUM: “14 Songs,” Paul Westerberg
INDIE RECORD: “Picture Has Faded,” Ray and Glover
INDIE LABEL: Medium Cool
SONG OF THE YEAR: “World Class Fad,” Paul Westerberg
NEW ARTIST: Delilahs
PRODUCER OR ENGINEER: Tom Herbers
FEMALE SONGWRITER: Barb Cohen
MALE SONGWRITER: Willie Wisely
MUSIC FILM OR VIDEO: “Summer of the Drugs,” Soul Asylum
CABLE-TV MUSIC SHOW: “Got My Own Show”
A special award was given to jazz pianist Carei Thomas, who was recovering from Guillain-Barre Syndrome.
MUSICIANS’ AWARDS
ACOUSTIC GUITAR: Matt Prudoehl
ELECTRIC GUITAR: Jesse Johnson
BASS: Jim Anton
DRUMS: Dorian Crozier
KEYBOARDS: Jeff Victor
BRASS OR REEDS: (tie)
- Jose James
- Lee Ann Lindgren
FEMALE VOCALIST: Debbie Duncan
MALE VOCALIST: (tie)
- Julius Collins
- John Eller
WINNERS BY GENRE
BLUES ARTIST: Big John Dickerson
BLUES RECORDING: “Live Snakes,” Hoopsnakes
COUNTRY ARTIST: The Carpetbaggers
COUNTRY RECORDING: “Nowhere to go But Down,” The Carpetbaggers
DANCE-TECHNO RECORDING: “25,” Red Red Groovy
FOLK OR BLUEGRASS ARTIST: Bob Dylan
FOLK OR BLUEGRASS RECORDING: “All Aboard,” Thea Ennen & the Algorhythms
GOSPEL GROUP: Sounds of Blackness
HARD ROCK GROUP: Dumpster Juice
HARD ROCK RECORDING: “Bellow,” Boneclub
HIP HOP ARTIST: Ghost Dance Deluxe
HIP HOP RECORDING: “Ghostdance,” Ghost Dance Deluxe
JAZZ VOCALIST: Debbie Duncan
JAZZ INSTRUMENTAL GROUP: Illicit Sextet
JAZZ RECORDING: “Live at the Dakota,” Debbie Duncan
NEW-AGE ARTIST: Steve Tibbetts
NEW-AGE RECORDING: “The Fall of us All,” Steve Tibbetts
POLKA ARTIST: Ruth Adams Band
POP GROUP: Tina and the B-Side Movement
POP RECORDING: “Compass,” Jeff Arundel
R&B ARTIST: Curbfeelers
R&B RECORDING: “Heaven Help us All,” Steeles
TEX-MEX-LATIN ARTIST: Latin Sounds Orchestra
UNDERGROUND ROCK GROUP: Nixon Pupils
UNDERGROUND ROCK RECORDING: “Du Huskers,” Various Artists
WORLD BEAT GROUP: Ipso Facto
WORLD-FOLK ARTIST: Flash Girls
WORLD MUSIC RECORDING: “Get Ready”, Ipso Facto