The Portland Music Awards were founded in 2008 by Craig Marquardo(musician, talent manager, magazine publisher, film executive). They were designed to bring attention, appreciation and press to the numerous deserving artists and individuals that make up the rich and vibrant Portland music scene.
The idea came after Craig interviewed Decemberists frontman Colin Meloy, who had talked about how difficult it was drawing fans to shows in Portland when they started out. He realized this was a pervasive theme for successful bands from Portland, including Meredith Brooks, Cherry Poppin Daddies, Modest Mouse, Stars Of Track & Field, Menomena, and many others. Once they left town and became popular nationwide, only then were they firmly embraced by the Portland audiences.
The PMA's are designed to unite bands and fans in a modest way. The hope is to bring the attention, kudos, and appreciation to the deserving Portland artists in hopes that they will not have to venture off before finding a home fan base. It is also designed to introduce these amazing performers to the public, by packaging them in a celebrity-driven media vehicle that draws in more attention that the normal dedicated music crowd.
The first event was held on January 29th, 2008 at the Roseland Theater. The show was hosted by Kelley Day, television anchor from KOIN News 6, and headlined by Everclear frontman Art Alexakis. The show also featured performances by The Dimes, Ohmega Watts, Debra Arlyn, Josh Hodges, Leigh Marble, Drew Shoals, Carlyle, Caleb Klauder, Papa Salty, Soundspell, Gunnar Roads, Key Of Dreams and Uprite Dub Orchestra.
2009 found the event changing venues, and moved to the Crystal Ballroom. Comcast was the title sponsor of the show, who aired the television broadcast. The show was also aired live on the radio, on 89.1fm KMHD.
The '09 show was hosted by Chloe Houser of PDX TV and nationally reknowned comedian Auggie Smith, and headlined by the local super-band, Floater. There were memorable performances by Mel Brown with Ben Darwish, March Fourth Marching Band, Tea For Julie, Debra Arlyn, Keegan Smith, Morgan Grace, Idle Poet, Acoustic Minds, Echo Helstrom, and Buoy LaRue.
In 2010 the show was hosted by Hollywood actor Daniel Baldwin and our own Chloe Houser. The show was rife with stellar performances: Cool Nutz, Marv & Rindy Ross (from Quarterflash), 3 Leg Torso, Boy Eats Drum Machine, The Insomniacs, Dennis Mitchell Band, Amadan, Hollie Pollock, Joe Powers, Andy Armer (performing his #1 hit 'Rise'), Third Angle New Music Ensemble, and a special performance by the Wanderlust Circus.
2011 saw Hollywood legend Tom Skerritt sharing hosting duties with Chloe Houser, along with the incomparable comedian Gallagher and Daniel Baldwin on hand to present awards. The show featured performances by Tommy Tutone ('867-5309'), Michael Jackson's guitarist Jennifer Batten, Throwback Suburbia, Brothers Of The Baladi, Concrete Cowboys, Strange Tones, Portland School Of Rock, Doo Doo Funk All Stars, Chata Addy and Susuma, Tracy Klas and ThePretty Deep, and Sneakin Out.
We strive to grow the event from year to year, increasing the voting participation with the public and music community, bringing in bigger and bigger names for performers and celebrity presenters, and putting on the best show possible. Please join us in years to come as we establish the PMA's as a Portland tradition.