Susan Tedeschi And Jo Dee Messina Win Big At Boston Music Awards

04/23/1999 4:00 PM, Yahoo! Music
Craig Rosen

(4/23/99, 1 p.m. PDT) - Rising blues talent Susan Tedeschi and country queen Jo Dee Messina were the big winners at the annual Boston Music Awards held last night at the Orpheum Theatre.

Tedeschi won outstanding album of the year (indie label) with her Just Won't Burn, single of the year (indie) for "It Hurt So Bad," outstanding female vocalist (indie), and outstanding blues act. Messina snagged act of the year honors, outstanding female vocalist, and outstanding country act.

Another three-award winner was neo-folkie Ellis Paul, who scored wins for outstanding male vocalist (indie), outstanding song/ songwriter for "Take Me Down," and outstanding contemporary folk album for Translucent Soul.

Beantown veterans Aerosmith took home the video of the year honors for "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing," and frontman Steven Tyler was named outstanding male vocalist.

Another two-award winner was quirky pop band My Favorite Relative, which garnered a win for debut album of the year (indie) and outstanding new rock band.

"This is the first big recognition that my mom can be proud of," said MFR singer Adrian Hierholzer. "For the band, more people will be curious because we're a hard-working band."

With all the recent MTV attention, it was no surprise that "Stay The Same," the recent top 10 hit by former New Kids On The Block member Joey McIntyre, won single of the year over such stiff competition as "Dragula" by Rob Zombie, "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing" by Aerosmith, and "Royal Oil" by the Mighty Mighty Bosstones. Nonetheless, McIntyre did not expect the win.

"How can I not be surprised with all those great local bands?" McIntyre stressed. "It's a serious list. I never imagined it a year ago. I was down. If you believe in yourself then good things happen. A year ago I didn't even know where I'd be now."

The Gravel Pit, which has performed more than 400 shows in its seven years, received an award for outstanding club act. "We are into performing and not just playing all sorts of stuff with the same sound," explained singer Jed Parrish. "We are entertainers without kissing the audience's ass. It's nice that people are paying attention."

The now L.A.-based Melissa Ferrick, who opened for Morrissey in 1991, took home the award for outstanding folk-rock band. "By playing with a band, I don't get pigeonholed," Ferrick said. "This award moves me out of that role of girl with guitar." Big D & the Kids Table elicited the most exciting moment when about 10 members bounded onstage to accept the award for outstanding ska band. The band appealed to the audience to support an all-ages club in Boston.Other performers included Big Wreck, Buffalo Tom, Jude, and McIntyre.

Here's a partial list of winners:

Act of the year: Jo Dee Messina
Rising star: The Push Stars
Album of the year: Smitten, Buffalo Tom
Debut album of the year: Godsmack, Godsmack
Album of the year (indie): Just Won't Burn, Susan Tedeschi
Debut album of the year (indie): On Holiday, My Favorite Relative
Outstanding rock band: Mighty Mighty Bosstones
Outstanding debut rock band: Big Wreck
Single of the year: "Stay The Same," Joey McIntyre
Outstanding female vocalist: Jo Dee Messina
Outstanding male vocalist: Steven Tyler
Video of the year: "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing," Aerosmith
Outstanding local rock band: Gigolo Aunts
Outstanding new rock band: My Favorite Relative
Outstanding club band: The Gravel Pit
Outstanding ska band: Big D & the Kids Table
Outstanding swing/ lounge act: Combustible Edison
Outstanding folk-rock band: Melissa Ferrick
Outstanding contemporary folk album: Translucent Soul, Ellis Paul
Outstanding debut contemporary folk album: Veering From The Wave, Jennifer Kimball

Features on Susan Tedeschi, Jo Dee Messina, Ellis Paul, Rob Zombie, Godsmack, and Gigolo Aunts are available on LAUNCH.com.

-- Amy Steele, Boston

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