Just got back from the Orange County Music Awards at the Grove of Anaheim and I’m still pumped. What a terrific show featuring some of the area’s brightest talent.

Mona and I got there early, which was good, because the lines for tickets were so long they were giving me flashbacks to President Obama’s inauguration. Some of our friends, including Greer Wylder, got there later, but we all got to see the show at least. In fact, Mona and I were able to trade up to a closer view when Phillip Case of Corona Del Mar approached us about a swap of tickets. Seems as if Phil and his family, including his award-winning son Cory who took home the “Best Acoustic” honor Saturday night, were spread out to two tables and they wanted to all sit together so they asked if we’d take his better seats. So we moved up closer to the stage and had a great time.

When Cory Case took the stage it became apparent Phil’s point about his son’s talent for entertainment wasn’t merely bragging.

“The difference between me and Cory is everyone knows I can kill every lead, but Cory is an entertainer,” Phil said of their guitar-playing skill.

There was a problem with the cables connecting Cory’s acoustic guitar to the amps when he began so a stagehand had to switch them out. While waiting for the quick fix, Cory made light of the situation and held his audience. He seems ticketed for big things. When he won he thanked his father who taught him how to play  guitar.

“Special thanks to my Dad. I wouldn’t have learned music without him,” he said.

Before the show, Phil talked about how he used to play on the steps of CdM High and how proud he was to return to the scene of the crime and strum “Sympathy for the Devil” with his son. Very heartwarming.

Other fun highlights: Costa Mesa’s Japanese Motors won for Best New Artist and Best Surf Band (which they poked fun at since they’re not a classic surf band, but one that certainly recalls that vibe to a certain extent).

My personal highlight was seeing my friends in the Fallen Stars win the Best Country/Americana award. They were also nominated for Best Song for “St. George’s Bank,” and Best Album for “Where the Road Bends.”

Afterward, Bobbo could only muster one word when asked how he felt: Awesome.

Here are all the winners:

Best New Artist

Japanese Motors

Best Jazz

Translucent Ham Sandwich Band

Best Punk

TSOL

Best Live Acoustic

Cory Case

Best Hip-Hop

Mickey Avalon

Best Alternative

Venus Infers

Best Blues

Parker Macy Blues

Best Indie

Venus Infers

Best World

The Fenians

Best Electronic

Faded Paper Figures

Best Pop

The Bolts

Best Country/Americana

The Fallen Stars

Best Metal

Atreyu

Best Live Band

The Union Line

Best Surf

Japanese Motors

Best Club DJ

Free The Robots

Best Latin

Boogaloo Assassins

Best Rock

The Shys

Best Song

“No Harm Done” – Aushua

People’s Choice

Duress

Best Album

“The Truth About Venus Infers” – Venus Infers

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