Welcome to the 2007 Local Music Awards Website!

Five years ago I began my love affair with Champaign-Urbana. It began like many others', as a student at the University of Illinois. As students, we feel like guests simply stopping by these two towns. As a freshman, I knew nothing about the area east of Lincoln Avenue, north of springfield, west of First street or south of Florida Avenue. To me, Champaign-Urbana was the Quad, a few bars and my dorm room. One time I went to Meijer.

When I began working at WPGU, I was shocked that there was a local music scene. One whole hour of radio each week dedicated to local music?! How the HELL are these people going to fill an hour every week with music from this area? I thought finding good local music in this town must have been like trying to find a needle in a cornfield.

Boy was I an idiot.

I only began to feel at home when I realized how vibrant and diverse the music scene truly is. I couldn't keep track of the number of times I heard a song on our airwaves and was shocked to find it originated from a local artist. Better yet, for a small price, I could see them live.

Music plays such a huge role in this community. And you local music gurus really know your s***. When I sat down with the Local Music Awards nominating committee, I was blown away at how much they knew, and how willing they were to talk slowly and guide me through the process. Since that night in January, I've spent countless hours on myspace pages and an assortment of artist websites in a state of awe.

Since graduating, Champaign-Urbana has become my home. I guess I'm no longer just visiting. It wasn't the music scene that kept me here, but it will definitely make it hard to leave.

So take a look around, check out the nominees' live shows and the sound clips we're providing you, the member of the public, on this site in order to make an informed choice about which act in each category you want to distinguish with a WPGU/Buzz Local Music Award this year. The decision of who gets this year's awards is in your hands. Happy voting!

Jon Hansen

WPGU Operations Manager