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Acoustic Musician
Jake Williams
Dividing his time among Sons of Sconnie, The Midnight Purchase and MaJiK Trio, Jake Williams plays over 200 shows a year. Williams is refining what it means to be a cover musician and may be best known for his work as frontman and keyboardist for The Toys, a lineup which has recently gone independent and rebranded as “Sons of Sconnie.” (Blaine Schultz)
Bluegrass Band
Chicken Wire Empire
Chicken Wire Empire has been recognized worldwide for their performances and recorded works; Americana UK called their latest album “a variety which transcends genre and rewards careful listening.” Locally, they play festivals, jams and take the stage for shows with regularity, blending traditional sounds with freewheeling jam band energy. They were included on last year’s Season for a Smile holiday sampler, have covered Smashing Pumpkins and collaborated on an album with Chris Castino of The Big Wu. (Blaine Schultz)
Blues band
Jonny T-Bird and the MPs
With five albums under their belt, Jonny T-Bird & the MPs belt out a soulful mix of blues and originality. The group has been fronted by Jon “Jonny T-Bird” Neuberger since 2009—the MP stands for Marinated Puppets. It was the name of a short-lived band featuring Neuberger and some MATC classmates formed a year prior to the band that carries on today. (Blaine Schultz)
Club DJ
DJ Shawna
As the official DJ and producer for the Milwaukee Bucks, DJ Shawna brings affable charm everywhere she goes, whether she's performing at NBA games, PrideFest, Summerfest or at Walker's Pint. She is notably one of only three women resident DJs in the NBA. (Ben Slowey)
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Country Band
The Whiskey Belles
This all-female trio mixes country, folk and Americana all into a unique sound and presentation style guaranteed to keep everyone on their feet and moving to the music. There’s plenty of shows going on in the Milwaukee and surrounding areas to take in their high-energy shows. The Whiskey Belles also write their own original music as well as perform great covers like Dolly Parton’s “Jolene,” haunting with gorgeous harmonies. (Harry Cherkinian)
Cover/Tribute Band
Failure to Launch
Failure to Launch has been a Cover Band finalist for a number of years and given their high energy performances, audiences keep coming back for more. They do it all: country, pop, dance, hip-hop, rock. Music for every generation. (Harry Cherkinian)
Electronic Artist/Rap/Hip-Hop Artist/Vocalist-Male
Johnny Franchino
Genre-bending artist Johnny Franchino seamlessly blends hip hop with electronic and R&B and is known as lead vocalist for rock band The New Grey. Franchino had a productive year with 2025, having dropped over a dozen singles. (Ben Slowey)
Folk Band
The Midnight Purchase
Orlando Peña gathered his posse of esteemed musicians to craft honest, raw folk music as The Midnight Purchase, now signed with Spectra Music Group and their debut full-length album released earlier this year. (Ben Slowey)
Indie Band/Rock Band
The New Grey
Before his artwork took off, Jean-Michel Basquiat played in the no wave band Gray. Milwaukee hip-hop/R&B/indie rock band The New Grey may not have a connection to the late artist but with connections in both Milwaukee and Chicago, The New Grey's influences and sound run the gamut, with the common thread being an upbeat energetic fusion of sound. Johnny Franchino also picked up best Electronic Artist/Rap/Hip-Hop Artist/Vocalist-Male (Blaine Schultz)
Jazz Combo
Milwaukee Jazz Institute
In 2025 one of MJI’s student combos performed at New York’s Charles Mingus Festival. The institute organizes five youth ensembles and four adult ensembles with an extensive series of jams and workshops at the Jazz Gallery along with performance at venues as varied as Saint Kate, bar centro and the Wilson Center. (David Luhrssen)
Metal Band
Cherry Pie
A consistent Best of Milwaukee winner, Cherry Pie continues their metal ascendance after 25+ years in the music industry. Cherry Pie goes beyond its 1980s hair band roots, playing music from other eras. Their family friendly shows provide something for everyone of all ages. Clearly the readers agree. (Harry Cherkinian)
Music Producer/Engineer
S.D Produces
Don L. Ratney AKA S.D Produces is a producer, audio engineer and part-time poet who works professionally at the studio Be Sound Music. (Ben Slowey)
Polka Band
The Squeezettes
The Squeezettes bill themselves as Milwaukee's premier all-female accordion group (albeit they had male members) with an energetic, power polka sound and impressive list of conquered venues. The ensemble formed in 2006 and has since become as much a staple of Milwaukee's famous festivals as beer drinking and brats, playing at Bastille Days and Festival of Lights Celebration over the years. (Jamie Lee Rake)
Vocalist-Female
Amanda Huff
Singer-songwriter, composer and electronic musician Amanda Huff is known for her hauntingly beautiful croon and stunning vocal range, and she's always working on something new, whether it's with her solo work, dark electronic pop outfit You Win! or alternative-world supergroup Strangelander. (Ben Slowey)
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