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Inducted into the CEA Hall of Fame, Kenny Smith ended the evening with his first live performance in 30 years, ably supported by Pearlene (including Jesse Ebaugh, left), a horn section and backup singers. Photo By Graham Lienhart

2005 Show

The Cincinnati Entertainment Awards' 2005 music program rocked the Taft Theatre Monday, November 21 in front of an estimated crowd of 1,000. Performances from 500 Miles to Memphis (pictured above), The Greenhornes, Marvin and the Experience, Cathedrals, Czar*Nok, Thee Shams and Heartless Bastards helped frame the awards in 19 categories.

Heartless Bastards were the evening's big winners, collecting trophies for Artist of the Year, Album of the Year and Rock. Veteran Jazz drummer John Von Ohlen was given the "Michael Bany Lifetime Achievement Award" and inducted into the CEA Hall of Fame, and then he played a captivating two-song set.

Emcee Regina Russo of Fox19 News kept things flowing, while featured presenters Bootsy Collins, Peter Frampton and Mark Mallory kept the audience's focus on celebrating Cincinnati's incredible music community. Mark Bany and Larry Nager honored the 10-year anniversary of musician Michael Bany's tragic death by recognizing the new partnership between the CEAs and the Michael W. Bany Scholarship Fund.

Throughout the evening, the CEA celebration repeated one mantra: Music has become our finest export and our best ambassador.

The talent performing onstage and the winning bands and musicians didn't take anything away from that concept.

Read an interview with Von Ohlen HERE.

Read about the 2005 trophy designed by local artist Anthony Luensman HERE.

Check out all the winners and nominees HERE.

Coming soon, see photos from the show, from backstage, from the VIP/Sponsor area and from the amazing Aftershow at alchemize (including the psychodots and Barnyard Burlesque) HERE.