It's that time of the year again, where we look back at what 2009 gave the music lovers of Fresno.
We'll examine the facts and figures and hand out awards for the best of 2009. (Note: All attendance figures are from Pollstar.)
Top five attended shows at Save Mart Center: Jonas Brothers (14,381), Rock and Worship Roadshow with Mercy Me and Jeremy Camp (13,700), Rascal Flatts (10,879), Keith Urban (10,272) and No Doubt (9,787).
Surprise of the year: The Rock and Worship Roadshow. Yes, it was the second biggest show, but it was only a $10 ticket.
Biggest flop: André Rieu, who drew only 1,784 fans in June.
Did you know? The Feb. 10 World Wrestling Entertainment event (8,132) outdrew KISS (7,472), Dane Cook (7,216), New Kids On The Block (5,751), Il Divo (4,359), Demi Lovato (3,671) and Slipknot (3,537). Plus, it was close to topping Dave Matthews Band (8,772).
My favorite arena show of the year: Jay-Z, who we still don't have an attendance figure for. Though I'd bet it would crack the top five. Jay had great stage presence and made it all look so easy. The show had some of the best energy I've ever seen in Fresno.
Club show of the year: Matt & Kim at Howie & Son's in Visalia. The show drew a sweaty throng of teenagers, but it was the most fun I'd had at a concert since I was a 20-year-old.
Local artist of the year: It's a no-brainer this year -- Fashawn. The young Fresno rapper made noise on the national scene, had two noteworthy tours, got a ton of press, and released a debut album "Boy Meets World" that's often mentioned as one of the top hip-hop CDs of the year.
Local band of the year: Shiverfox. This Trey Tosh-fronted '70s rock throwback made a splash in Fresno and did it quick -- most notably opening for KISS at Save Mart Center.
Venue of the year: For the second year in a row, the nod goes to Audie's Olympic, which has continued to book a nice slate of local and out-of-town shows in various genres of music. It's a happening place every night of the week.
Local show of the year: Patrick Contreras' CD release block party in the Tower District, which brought out more than 800 people to see an all-local lineup. Plus, it was an innovative show, happening in the Tower Theatre parking lot.
Local CD of the year: Fashawn's "Boy Meets World" wins here, too. But Karen Marguth's self-titled CD deserves praise too. She's a great jazz vocalist, and on this one she's backed by fresh local jazz band Espacio.
The columnist can be reached at mosegueda @fresnobee.com or (559) 441-6479. Read his blog at fresnobeehive. com.
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