The source of this information is an article written by Jon Bream in the Star Tribune, dated April 24, 1998. 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: April 23, 1998
PLACE: First Avenue
NOTES:
All but the Special Awards were selected by 210 members of the Minnesota Music Association.
17-year-old Jonny Lang won three major awards, but was working on his second album for A&M Records in an undisclosed local studio with legendary R&B guitarist Steve Cropper and Little Feat drummer Richie Hayward, so Lang’s father, Jon Langseth, Sr., accepted his son’s awards. Langseth specifically thanked local blues performers Pat Hayes, Mick Sterling, Joe Juliano, and Dr Mambo’s Combo for their support. Jonny Lang’s first album, “Lie to Me,” had sold a million copies, and his band had opened concerts for Aerosmith, Blues Traveler, and the Rolling Stones in the last year. Lang also appeared in the film “Blues Brothers 2000.”
Because the 1997 ceremony was held in July, the eligibility period for this year’s nominees was reduced.
PERFORMERS
Among the night’s most memorable performances during the four hour ceremony were:
- Renee Austin
- Vanguard
- Accident Clearinghoue
- Flipp
- Rhyme Sayers
- February
MAJOR AWARDS
ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Jonny Lang
MAJOR LABEL RECORDING: “Sound of Lies,” Jayhawks
INDIE RECORDING: (tie)
- “So We Go,” Hangups
- “Freeloaded Wednesdays,” Various Artists
SONG OF THE YEAR: “Rumor Has It,” Honeydogs
NEW ARTIST/GROUP: Mary Nail
SONGWRITER: Gary Louris (Jayhawks)
MUSICIANS’ AWARDS
GUITAR: Billy McLaughlin
BASS: Eric Fratzke (Happy Apple)
DRUMS: Dave King (Happy Apple, Mary Nail, and Love-Cars)
KEYBOARDS: Bruce McCabe (Jonny Lang Band)
HORNS: Max Ray (Gondwana and Willie Murphy & the Angel Headed Hipsters)
SPECIALIST INSTRUMENTALIST: Peter Ostroushko (mandolin, violin)
FEMALE VOCALIST: Kristin Mooney
MALE VOCALIST: Jonny Lang
AWARDS BY GENRE
BLUES ARTIST/GROUP: Jonny Lang
BLUES RECORDING: “Hustlin’ Man Blues,” Willie Murphy & the Angle Headed Hipsters
BLUEGRASS ARTIST/GROUP: Kate MacKenzie
COUNTRY ARTIST/GROUP: Trailer Trash
DANCE/ELECTRONIC ARTIST/GROUP: (tie)
- Jennifer Downham
- DJ Jesus Juice
DANCE/ELECTRONIC RECORDING: “Future Perfect: Music for Listening,” Various Artists
FOLK ARTIST/GROUP: John Casey
FOLK RECORDING: “Super America,” John Casey
GOSPEL ARTIST/GROUP: Sounds of Blackness
HIP-HOP ARTIST/GROUP: Atmosphere
JAZZ ARTIST/GROUP: Happy Apple
JAZZ RECORDING: “Blown Shockwaves and Crash Flow,” Happy Apple
POLKA ARTIST/GROUP: Ruth Adams Band
POP ARTIST/GROUP: Honeydogs
POP RECORDING: “Turbosherbet,” Willie Wisely
ROCK ARTIST/GROUP: Jayhawks
ROCK RECORDING: “Target,” Rank Strangers
R&B ARTIST/GROUP: Sensational Joint Chiefs
R&B RECORDING: “Mornin’ Train,” Sensational Joint Chiefs
SPECIALIST ARTIST/GROUP: Savage Aural Hotbed
SPECIALIST RECORDING: “Freeloaded Wednesdays,” Various Artists
TECHNICAL
LOCAL RADIO PROGRAM: “Local Sound Department,” KFAI
TELEVISION PROGRAM: “The Buzz,” KMSP
PRODUCER/ENGINEER: Tom Hebers
SPECIAL
CONNIE HECHTER AWARD: Jill McLean, proprietor of Minneapolis-based Clean Records, and business manager for the band Soul Asylum.