Best of Augusta 2012 - Best Entertainment

Best Male Vocalist
As the old Irish ballad says, “the pipes, the pipes are calling,” and the owner of those lyrical pipes is Patrick Blanchard Jr., your top male vocalist. Kevin Foster is first runner-up and Shaun Piazza also is on stage as a finalist.

Female Vocalist
Tara Scheyer is a longtime area favorite and this year is no exception. We could have written the same thing for your second-favorite. In fact, we will: Eryn Eubanks is a longtime area favorite and this year is no exception. Ditto for Tutu D’Vyne in third.

Best R&B Band
Best R&B? K&J. Allow us to elaborate—slightly. The winner is Ke-Ju. Allow us to elaborate: Ke-Ju is composed of the husband and wife duo of Kevin and Julia Foster. They get the gold record. Playback gets the silver record. (Do they even make those?) In third, the legendary Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings made a triumphal return to her hometown at last year’s Westobou. Hurry back!

Christian Band
What would Jesus do? We would never presume to answer such an audacious question, but readers say he might listen to Eryn Eubanks and the Family Fold. Augusta-born Nashville star Amy Grant wins second, while the aptly named Joseph Christie takes third.

Rock Band
It may sound like a group composed of a cello, a violin and a string bass, but Sibling String is a sho-nuf rock band with nary a cello in sight. They are the reader fave. Ed Turner and Number 9 earn the sold-out second. And even though Funk You mixes rock with jazz, R&B, reggae and the kitchen sink, we’re going to go ahead and award them third, as requested by readers. Let the Bic-flicking commence.

Rock/Alternative
Quality, quality, quality, starting with winner Daddy Grace. John Kolbeck follows in second and Funk You completes the roster for what would be a great live show.

Bluegrass
Whether for you it’s Doug and The Henrys or just The Henrys, it’s finger-pickin’ good. Readers say Eryn Eubanks is another source of pure bluegrass in second place. Finally, raise a glass to the Mason Jars in third.

High School Band
Next time you’re in the mood for oh, let’s say a tuba version of a Billy Joel hit, make tracks for Lucy Laney High School under those fabled Friday night lights. Lakeside and Richmond Academy take the field in second and third.

Singles Spot
Many a person has had a couple (beers, margaritas, etcetera) and awakened to find that they are a couple. Funny how that works. Try it at the Country Club, suggest your knowledgeable fellow citizens. The Vue would have been a good idea too. Oh well. You snooze, you lose. Church (the non-internet version of ChristianMingle.com) takes third.

Dance Spot
Scoot your boots at the Country Club. That’s the suggestion of most readers. But just for kicks, bust out your best break dancing moves next time you’re there. Surrey Tavern gets second place; the Vue, still closed, takes third.

Late Night Spot
We used to get dozens of people who voted for “in bed” every year. Ha ha, people. Very creative! What’s your sleep number? We can tell you this much: Surrey Tavern’s is number 1. Stillwater Taproom is 2; Helga’s number is 3.

Music Bar
Tired of your records? Lost the adapter for your 45s? Eight-track tape player broken? Cassette jammed? Try live music. You might like it. Readers suggest Sky City. (The nightclub, not the discount store.) The Country Club and Wild Wing Café also support live local music. So in return, support them.

Happy Hour
Please enjoy Bistro 491’s happy hour responsibly. That way you can do it again tomorrow. Crum’s on Central also welcomes happy hour celebrants. Bonefish Grill also pours happy juice to readers’ liking.

Bar To Watch People
At Wild Wing, they don’t do it with mirrors. This is more like theater in the round, except this is bar in the round. Optimal people watching ensues. Let’s make it a triple: the Country Club and Stillwater Tap Room will complete your favorites.
 

Best Country Band
You get three guesses. We’re generous. Your first? Lady Antebellum, naturally. She is good. And the guys both say they’d like to go along for the victory ride. The Jeremy Graham Band is runner-up. Eryn Eubanks wins Best Hat, but in this category she has to settle for third.