Tosha Owens, Eminem and Stevie Wonder win big at the Detroit Music Awards

Jazz-soul singer Tosha Owens led the list of winners Sunday night at the 31st Detroit Music Awards, taking home three accolades across multiple genres.

Owens brought standout blues artist, rock-pop recording (“Love More, Hate Less” featuring Bob Mervak) and singer to the streaming ceremony, the show’s third year as an event online only.

In the domestic realm, Alice Cooper scored an outstanding major-label recording for “Detroit Stories,” the Motor City native’s old-school hard rock outburst. Stevie Wonder’s pandemic collaboration with Elton John (“Finish Line”) earned an outstanding national single, while Eminem’s “Tone-Deaf” picked up the big-budget video win.

Besides Owens, several winners included two-time Laith Al-Saadi Trophy recipients, the Detroit Children’s Choir, Jill Jack, Liz Larin and Gayelynn McKinney & McKinnfolk and Sponge.

DMA winners are determined through a three-phase submission and voting process that includes voting from area music professionals who are members of the Detroit Music Awards Foundation.

The ceremony was held every spring at the Fillmore Detroit before COVID-19 hit in 2020, and organizers plan to stick with a virtual-only event going forward.

Sunday’s pre-recorded event aired on DMA’s new digital partner, Mandoline, and will be available until May 24. Viewing tickets are $5, with a portion of proceeds going to Music Saves UA, a humanitarian effort to benefit Ukraine.

Detroit Music Awards, 2022 winners

Outstanding American Artist or Group: Jennifer Westwood

Outstanding American Recording: Jill Jack, “Bit of a Jesus Girl”

Outstanding Blues Artist or Group: Tosha Owens

Outstanding Blues Recording: Bobby Murray, “Love Letters from Detroit”

Outstanding Classical Composer: Maurice “Pirahnahead” Herd

Outstanding Community Orchestra: Royal Oak Symphony Orchestra

Outstanding Small Classical Ensemble: Motor City Brass Band

Outstanding Classical Recording: The Davis Way, “The Soul Within”

Outstanding Country Artist or Group: Julianne Ankley & the Rogues

Outstanding Country Recording: Lewis Hensley, “Runaway”

Outstanding Electronic Artist or Group: Liz Larin

Outstanding Electronic/Club DJ: Linda Lexy

Outstanding Electronic Recording: Liz Larin, “The Expedition”

Anthology/Outstanding Compilation: Marvin Gaye, “What’s Goin’ On: Deluxe Edition (Revised)”

Outstanding Music for Family and Children: Detroit Children’s Choir

Outstanding Live Performance: Laith Al-Saadi

Outstanding Sound Technician: Peter Jay

Best Record Label: Funky D Records

Outstanding local venue (2,500 or less): Café Cadieux

Outstanding Recording from a Major National Label: Alice Cooper, “Detroit Stories”

Outstanding National Single: Stevie Wonder, “Finish Line” (featuring Elton John)

Outstanding recording on a small national/independent label: Sponge, “Lavatorium”

Best Record Producer: Josh Ford

Outstanding Recording Studio: Pearl Sound

Outstanding Tribute Band: Major Dudes – A Steely Dan Tribute

Outstanding Video, Limited Budget: Sponge, “Ordinary People”

Outstanding Video, Major Budget: Eminem, “Tone-Deaf”

Best Instrumentalist: Bass: Takashi Iio

Best Instrumentalist, Guitar: Laith Al-Saadi

Outstanding Instrumentalist, Keyboards: Phil Hale

Outstanding Instrumentalist, Percussion: Todd Glass

Outstanding Instrumentalis, specialty: Larry Labeck (pedal steel)

Best Songwriter: Jill Jack

Outstanding Vocalist: Tosha Owens

Outstanding Gospel/Christian Artist or Group: Righteous By God

Outstanding Gospel Choir: Detroit Youth Choir

Outstanding Gospel/Christian Recording: Just By God, “The Word”

Outstanding Modern Jazz Artist or Group: Gayelynn McKinney & McKinnfolk

Outstanding Traditional Jazz Artist or Group: Planet D Nonet

Outstanding Jazz Recording: Gayelynn McKinney & McKinnfolk, “Zoot Suit Funk”

Outstanding R&B Artist or Group: Laura Rain and the Caesars

Outstanding R&B Recording: Laura Rain and the Caesars, “I Am”

Best Rap Artist: Leaf Erikson

Outstanding Rap Recording: Leaf Erikson, “Moonlight on Mt. Sinai”

Outstanding Rock/Pop Artist or Group: Kathleen Murray Band

Outstanding Alternative/Indie/Punk Artists or Groups: Ladyship Warship

Outstanding Heavy/Hard Rock Artist or Group: Dead in 5

Outstanding Rock/Pop Recording: Tosha Owens & Bob Mervak, “Love More, Hate Less”

Outstanding Global Artists or Group: Corktown Pope

Outstanding World Recording: Detroit Children’s Choir, “Betelehmu”