In keeping with its mission, the Second Annual Orlando Music Awards recognized and celebrated the Central Florida music scene at its well-attended main event Oct. 21, 1998, at The Club at Firestone, followed by a spirited afterparty at Sapphire. And the "1998 Orlando Music Awards CD," produced as an extension of the competition, captured 17 outstanding tracks.
The voting process worked as follows: An advisory board of members picked for their working knowledge of local music trimmed down reader nominations to three in each category. Then the final voting was turned over to 90 judges whose experience and expertise covered the sound spectrum.
A special thanks was earned by the bands, board members, judges and hundreds of businesses and individuals who donated time, talents, services and prizes to bring the project together.
Below are the winners who were celebrated in each category:
Folk/Acoustic: Terri Binion
Blues: Noble "Thin Man" Watts
R&B/Soul/Funk: Kow
Garage/Surf/ Rockabilly: Nutrajet
Pop Rock: My Friend Steve
Rock: Bughead
Metal:The Kill
Punk: Shyster
Hardcore: Bloodlet
Hip-hop: Nature Kids
DJ (all styles): Q-Burns Abstract Message
Electronic: Q-Burns Abstract Message
Jazz: Sam Rivers
Latin: Cuco Reyes y su Orquesta Vibracion
Eclectic: Obliterati
Ska:Skif Dank
Lounge/Swing: Swingerhead
CD of the Year: Swingerhead "She Could Be a Spy"
Live act of the Year: Kow
