LIVE EVENTS
San Marcans, San Martians, friends, and neighbors celebrated the vibrant San Marcos music scene Friday, Jan. 30 at the Price Center, as KZSM, San Marcos Community Radio, presented the Third Annual San Marcos Music Awards. Desmond Foie of DFOY Music hosted the ceremony, which began with the two awards for exceptional community service.
Christopher Paul Cardoza, winner of the award last year, presented the Golden Martian Award honoring the best service from a member of the San Marcos music community. The winner, EZ Maldonado, hosts Songwriter’s Night at Tantra and performs with Loose Screws and Rusty Hearts. He was also chosen Best Promoter, and his band won Best Country.
Clay DeStefano presented the Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing a San Martian who has spent many years promoting our diverse community and vibrant culture, to Ace Pepper. The popular performer, who also won Best Blues, has operated his JAMS guitar shop for many years. “I probably sold some of y’all a guitar,” he reflected, looking back on 30 years in San Marcos.
Music thrives in our schools as well as in clubs and concerts. San Marcos High School took away two awards: the SMHS Varsity Orchestra won Best Classical, and the SMHS Jazz Band was selected as Best Jazz. KZSM Board President Jeremy Garrett accepted the awards on behalf of the San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District, commending the strong arts programs at our schools.
Other awards included Best: Singer-Songwriter Halleyanna Finlay; Vocalist - Amber Elison; Americana - Rock Bottom String Band; R&B - Justin James Bridges; Funk - Funkotron; Reggae - DFOY Music; Latin - Los Gatos 512; Producer - Yellow Dog Studio; Pop - The Trips; Hip Hop - Chief And The Doomsday Device; DJ - Kali Rose KB; Rock - The Trips; Album - “San Marcos” by Cookie Lone Star; Single - “Zip Codes” by Our Last Daze; Radio Personality Kali Rose KB; Live Music Venue Jack’s Roadhouse; Live Performance Our Last Daze; New Artist - Echo Page; Artist - Our Last Daze.
