Offbeat Magazine Celebrates Louisiana Music at 2010 Best of the Beat Awards

Dave Bartholomew and HBO's 'Treme' Among Honorees

Dave Bartholomew, the "architect of New Orleans R&B sound" heads the list of those who'll be honored at OffBeat Magazine's 17th Annual Best of the Beat Awards, which takes place Friday, January 28, 2011 at Generations Hall, 310 Andrew Higgins Blvd., New Orleans, from 6 p.m. til 1 a.m.

Bartholomew is a trumpet player, songwriter and recording artist in his own right, and he also produced and arranged some of New Orleans' greatest recordings. He's best known the unforgettable body of work he recorded with Fats Domino, as well as the hits he made with Lloyd Price ("Lawdy Miss Claudy"), Robert Parker ("Barefootin'"), Smiley Lewis ("I Hear You Knockin'"), the Dixie Cups ("Iko Iko"), Shirley and Lee ("Let the Good Times Roll") and many more. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991, and it honored him and Fats Domino earlier this year as American Music Masters.

OffBeat will also recognize the efforts of Derrick Tabb and the Roots of Music with its Best of the Beat Award for Music Education. The Rebirth Brass Band drummer was one of CNN's Heroes of the Year in 2009 for his efforts to provide musical education to at-risk students, and in the process help them improve their scholastic efforts. Baton Rouge's Johnny Palazzotto will receive the Best of the Beat Award for Music Business for his efforts to keep the blues alive in Louisiana, starting the Baton Rouge Blues Festival, the Slim Harpo Awards, and serving for years on the Louisiana Music Commission. The Treme television series will be honored with the "Heartbeat" Award for its exposure of New Orleans music worldwide as well its efforts to depict New Orleans' musical culture and community honestly.

OffBeat publisher Jan Ramsey and WWL-TV's Eric Paulsen will recognize this distinguished few as well as the best albums, artists and performers as voted on by the readers of OffBeat, Louisiana's music and culture monthly magazine. Nominees for the awards are based on suggestions solicited from the musicians and music community for achievement in 2010. However, voting for the winners is open not only to musicians but to everyone at OffBeat.com.Voting ends on January 18 online at OffBeat.com.Attendees include musicians, local music fans and visitors from around the globe.

According to OffBeat publisher Jan Ramsey, "This is the 17th year we've had the privilege of honoring local musicians and music businesses. The Best of The Beat has always been a fun party, not just a staid awards show - it's a celebration, which is what we do best here in New Orleans. It allows the fans - the people who love the music-to vote and cheer on their favorites."

This year's nominees for the coveted Artist of the Year are Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue, Anders Osborne, funk band Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk, Cajun band Feufollet and hip-hop artist Curren$y.

The Best of the Beat Awards include the best in Louisiana music with live sets on two stages. Deacon John and his big band will pay tribute to Dave Bartholomew, and we'll celebrate the music of the late, influential Alex Chilton, who passed away last year, with performances by Theresa Andersson, Susan Cowsill, Soul Asylum's Dave Pirner, Alex McMurray, the Iguanas' Rene Coman and Doug Garrison, Davis Rogan, and the Lost Bayou Ramblers' Louis Michot. Also performing are Best Zydeco Artist nominee Chubby Carrier, Best Artist nominee Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk, Red Bull Street Kings champion the Stooges Brass Band, Best Hip-Hop Artist nominee Lyrikill and the Soundclash Allstars, Treme writer, songwriter and bandleader Davis Rogan, Best Cover Band nominees the Creole String Beans, Best Country/Folk Band nominees Washboard Rodeo and Best Emerging Artist nominees Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns.

Tickets to the Best of the Beat Awards also include food from a wide range of New Orleans' top restaurants including Whole Foods Market, Jagerhaus, Hubig's Pies, Oceana, The Joint, Galvez Restaurant, Le Citron Bistro, Tee-Eva's, Mr Mudbug's, Fiorella's, Sammy's Deli, The Praline Connection, Willie Mae's Scotch House, Martinique, Southern Candymakers, the Gumbo Shop, and Aurora Catering, among many others.

There is a separate, invitation-only event at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art's Taylor Library for the presentation of Best of the Beat Awards for Music Businesses on January 26.

Tickets for the concert on January 28 are $29 in advance, and $39 at the door for a full night of music, food, fun and the awards show. The Best of the Beat is also a benefit, with the proceeds of VIP balcony passes ($100) going to the New Orleans Musicians' Assistance Foundation. All tickets and passes can be purchased at OffBeat.com.