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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”
