Story and Photos by John Tuckness
More than 1,200 turned out for the inaugural Forté Awards Show at the Grand Theatre at Grand Sierra Resort and Casino Nov. 3. The high attendance at the show spelled success for the three benefit charities: Food Bank of Northern Nevada, Veterans Resource Centers of America, and Nevada Humane Society.
The Forté Awards Show is like “The Grammys”, “The Oscars” and “The Tony Awards” all rolled into one and focusing on local artists and entertainers. Taking months of work, hundreds of bands, musicians, singers, actors and actresses, dancers, magicians, and comedians were nominated and reviewed by the awards committee. Thousands of fan votes determined the winners.
The big winner of the night was guitarist/vocalist Tyler Stafford who went home with three awards in the Guitar (solo), Male Vocalist, and Americana, Bluegrass & World Music categories. Scroll down for the entire list of winners below the photos.
And the Winners are ….
DANCE
Ballet, Contemporary & Lyrical – Cordelia Leeder
Production Show – Dana Hatjakes
Musical Theater – Ashley Wallick
Jazz & Tap – Marla Richardson
Ballroom, World Dance & Movement – Terri Sheridan
Hip Hop, Pop Lock, Breaker & Street Performer – Alex Chicle Gumm
Special Act Performer – Mikaela Bianchi
MAGIC/COMEDY
Magician – Larry Wilson
Improv – Christiana Frank
Comedian – Nick Josten
THEATER
Actor, Dramatic Role – Jesse James Ziegler
Actress, Dramatic Role – Isabella Hodgin Lindsey
Actor, Comedic Role – Christopher Daniels
Actress, Comedic Role – Nasya Mancini
Actor, Musical Role – Harrison Troise
Actress, Musical Role – Zakotah Sevon
Actor, Classical, Shakespearean & Operatic Role – Greg Klino
Actress, Classical, Shakespearean & Operatic Role – Ashley Hutchinson
MUSIC INDIVIDUAL
Drums & Percussion – Tony Savage
Multi-Instrumental Performer – Alan Griffith
Jazz Intrumentalist – Rocky Tatarelli
Bass – Gia Torcaso
Guitar (Solo) – Tyler Stafford
Guitar with Band – Jason King Roxas
Electronic – Noisechemistz
Hip Hop Vocalist – Apprentice
Female Vocalist – Monique Jade
Male Vocalist – Tyler Stafford
MUSIC GROUP
Blues – Jason King Band
Americana, Bluegrass & World Music – Tyler Stafford
Metal, Thrash & Punk Rock – Hollywood Trashed
R&B, Funk & Soul – Jelly Bread
Hard & Heavy Rock – Alisha Sadler
Country – Country Artist Tribute
Jazz – First Take featuring Rick Metz
Pop – CRUSH
Rock – Reno Rock Camp
SPECIAL AWARDS
Lifetime Achievement – Doug “Cosmo” Clifford
Community Engagement – Controlled Burn
The night began with nominees walking the red carpet with the full paparazzi and flashing cameras experience. Shana Golden, the queen of Reno’s music scene and host of the highly acclaimed web show, “In the Vault with Shanda Golden”, interviewed the nominees on their way into the show.
Presenters during the show included a who’s who in the Reno community including: Chris Christiansen from Grand Sierra Resort; Greg Golden, owner of Bizarre Guitar and founder of the Greg Golden Band; Shanda Golden, host of “In the Vault with Shanda Golden”; Chuck Reyome Jr. of Reyome Metal Productions; Max Volume and Melody Ann Minx from 105.7 KOZZ; Shane Whitecloud, Martina Davis and Kronik from 104.5 Reno’s Pure Rock; and Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve and Sparks Mayor Geno Martini.
The Greg Golden Band closed the show with a three-song set.
