A few months back, I was nominated for The MyFM Quest for the Best award. MyFM, the Milford radio station, is a great partner for local businesses and an important part of the community. They ran an event to promote businesses, the support we all needed coming out of the last year. Tonight I picked up my first place award in the category of Photographer. They held an event for all the winners tonight at the Hopkinton Center for Arts. Thanks to MyFM and the people who voted for me. You can check out all the great businesses and see my posting in the winners’ list.

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Last night was the 5th annual WMRC Local Music Awards. For the 3rd year straight I was honored to win the “Favorite Local Non-Musician Supporter”. The dog is not impressed, I think she sees the trophy as a threat to my attention. If she only knew how many people asked about her at the award show, I could not make it through the crowd without a compliment on Josie.

As for the show, there really is nothing like it – picture the Grammys but local, watchable and no one is lip syncing. Get out and support local music, the scene is like no other but like anything great, it is fragile. I have been to shows where the rooms are filled to capacity, I have been to shows where I am the only one. These artist give it their all no matter how many are in the room, but these venues will only keep the shows going if it financially makes sense. So go out, buy a beer, have a meal, listen to some great music, then next year vote for your favorites and join us at the next LMAs.

Congratulations to Ray and Molly Auger and all the other coordinators for a perfect night. Thanks to Liz’s Diamond and staff for hosting, Milford TV for broadcasting/recording the show and most of all all the nominees and winners for just being awesome. Below is a photo of all the nominees in one shot, if you want to see the whole set from the night click here and enjoy.

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I took home a trophy tonight at the 2015 Local Music Awards for Favorite Local Non-Music Supporter. After they announced my name, my great friend Ray Auger, the man (along with his amazing wife Molly) who arranges this incredible event, took my camera and snapped some shots – thank you Ray, it is not often I am seen in photos, especially at a moment like this. You never really know what to say at these things. Though, I need to be honest I liked my speech, it was not planned, it just came out… it focused on that this community is a family, with all it’s good and bad, it’s success and dysfunctions, and I am honored to be a part of it. Everyone in this category deserves an award, and even more should be in it with us. How do you really measure support? Thank you to Ray, Molly, WMRC and every single musician in this area. It’s like were are all part of a not so secret club. I have sneaked out to broaden my photographic reach lately… shooting in other areas, and I can say without a doubt, there is nothing like the Milford Local Music Scene… I am honored to be the family photographer.

Tune in tomorrow for more photos from the event.

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There are so many talented musicians in this area, to be considered part of your “scene” is an honor. What makes the award special to me is how I’ve met so many of you guys, most from conversations started about a toy shot I took, or a landscape or family pic I shared. I get approached by someone saying “I follow your pictures”, meanwhile I am there “as a fan of your music”. Last winter when I had a gallery the number of musicians that came out to see my work was overwhelming. Support truly works both ways, as appreciative as I am to be singled out for this, I am even more humbled by the support of the people who awarded it. Last night I wish I thanked Justin and Ray when I had the mic, they were the first ones to bring me in to shoot their gigs and now they are not only two of my favorite subjects, but some of my closest friends. (I assume they keep me around to make them look good – I mean, someone has to). Thanks again to everyone, just know people are looking at the photos means a lot. Below are some of my favorite photos from the last year, Justin & Ray, Tollbooth Willie, Teter Todders, We Were Astronauts, Gay Barboza, The Bill McGoldrick Acoustic Duo, Featuring Pamela Stiebler, Zero Drift, Whiskey Bent. There are more, people need to go hear these and all the other local acts, it is a great way to spend a weekend night, you can find out the who/when/where anytime at The Local Lowdown.

Click here for all the photos from the 2014 Local Music Awards.

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Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms. We spent Mother’s Day at Anna’s Dance Recital. The girls put on another great show, I might be biased, but I did have a favorite. She works incredibly hard at her dance, I can not imagine her not being part of Medway Dance Authority. This was her 11th year dancing, but her 10th with Miss Jen at MDA. She was also announced as one of the students of the month. Congratulations Anna, we are very proud of you.

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