Industry Standards
Wisconsin Area Local Music Industry helps local music find it's way
Think you’ve got talent? Struggling to find work? Or even just something to do with that talent? Whether you can sing, strum on the guitar or pound on the drums, the Wisconsin Area Music Industry is willing to help you.
WAMI is a strictly volunteer, non-profit organization that is willing to put themselves out there for struggling musicians, well-known band members and anyone in between.
Formed in 1980, WAMI is in its 28th year of helping musicians get their name out. Partnered with other organizations, the organization assists musicians in the ever important task of networking. Whether the general public realizes it or not, Wisconsin is packed with so much talent, it may seem a little difficult to get noticed. And it doesn’t matter the genre, because we’ve got country, hip-hop, bluegrass and pretty much anything else you can think of.
“We have a Fox Valley chapter, a Kenosha/Racine chapter and then there’s the Milwaukee Chapter,” said WAMI President Lance Shellman. “We want to branch out and open other chapters, but that takes more manpower.”
Used as a networking tool, seminars and events sponsored by WAMI are an excellent way for musicians to meet one another and share the common experience that is known as being in a band.
“So many bands are out playing a lot and it’s kind of nice for fellow musicians to get together, because it’s all about really good camaraderie,” Shellman explains.
This is Shellman’s first year as president of the organization, but when discussing the project, he talks about it almost as a parent speaks of a child. After being with the organization for, “five, six, seven years, I believe,” Shellman recalls that he has invested much energy into fulfilling the dreams of others.
“Good ol’ Wisconsin’s got a lot of good musicians,” Shellman proudly boasted. “The Valley, we just have a really good music scene up here. Not a lot of people realized it before.”
According to Shellman though, they certainly have been taking notice over the past three or four years. “We‘ve been kind of a sleeping giant,” he continues. “We just have a lot of good original artist[s], a lot of good bands.”
One of the largest events put on by the organization is the awards show, set to take place at Turner Hall in Milwaukee on April 28. With an expected eight to ten bands performing, there are also many popular artists presenting awards to their peers.
Some nominees include Hindsight, Fahrenheit 420, Andy’s Automatics, .357 String Band, Reverend Raven and the Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys, Copperbox, Tracey Stefans, Unity and many more. There is a long list of different categories to be presented, each packed with a handful of ubertalented bands and solo musicians. There are also several categories that allow group members to be recognized for their individual efforts.
But, before you get too excited about taking the road trip down to the award show, make sure to check out the nomination party, held at Mill Creek in Appleton on March 18. And since everyone who has braved this harsh Wisconsin winter is, without a doubt, ready to get out and let loose. How convenient, then, that the nomination party is the day after St. Patrick’s day.
“We’re so pent up from winter, that it’s kind of like our first big party of the year,” Shellman said. “I think this winter, we’ve really been pent up. I think we’re due for a good party to kick up our heels.”
There will be no cover charge for the nomination party, the only thing necessary is to show up and mingle. The general public, as well as many musicians are artists, are welcome to attend this meet and greet opportunity.
After you’ve swooned over your favorite artists at the nomination party, just drive an hour or so south of the Fox Valley to Turner Hall.
“In the past we’ve done well with the Fox Valley down there,” said Shellman, spoken like a true Fox Valley native. “The Valley brings a good party down there, absolutely. I always like to say that we’re the first ones there and the last ones to leave.”
After the award ceremony, there will be another party held right inside Turner Hall. This will once again give the general public and musicians an opportunity to meet and network with each other.
But, don’t be fooled. WAMI isn’t all about partying, despite what you might be thinking. The organization strives to accomplish several goals for local musicians. This goals include improving communication and interaction among members, accumulating information for use within a comprehensive directory, producing music, conducting seminars and last but most definitely not least, encouraging, promoting and educating musicians. After all, what is a musician without any of this? Given the opportunities that WAMI offers, any artist has the potential of really makin’ it big.
Recently, WAMI has partnered with Jam4Sam, an organization the assists ailing musicians. These include musicians that are sick, unemployed or without medical insurance. Jam4Sam assists in paying medical bills and other expenses, so that the artists can pursue their passion and succeed at what they are best at. In an industry as difficult to break into as the music industry, it’s important for artists to support one another, and that’s what these organizations are all about.
“Musicians are very good-hearted people,” Shellman proudly proclaimed. “You see them do benefits and things of that nature for people. They stick together.” So, Wisconsin, it‘s time to start listening. There’s nothing worse, as a musician, to let your music go unheard. Sing from the soul, strum with all of your might and beat the drum with all of your heart. Just don’t let this talent be ignored.
