Rock Savants win at Winery Music Awards

Central Coast favorites Dominic Castillo and the Rock Savants seized first place Saturday at the Winery Music Awards.
The San Luis Obispo rock band edged out Arizona singer-songwriter Amber Norgaard as the top-place winner. The quartet advances to the final competition on Oct. 7, where they’ll compete for cash, studio time and other prizes.
Tom Cartwright, president of RNB Entertainment Group of Los Angeles, praised the band.
"Dominic has great stage presence and the whole band has professional poise," said Cartwright, one of eight judges at Saturday's concert.
Hosted by former "Bachelor" star Andrew Firestone, the five-hour event at Paso Robles’ Stacked Stone Cellars also featured Templeton’s Machine and Los Angeles acts Delaney Gibson and Hard Rain.
Producer Kathy Kelly created the Winery Music Awards in 2005 to highlight independent musicians and the North County wine country.
Musicians are graded on their originality, skill and marketability to the ever-expanding demographic of wine drinkers. Top prizes include a record contract with RNB Entertainment.
Arroyo Grande acoustic rock trio Threes and Nines won the grand prize in 2005. They plan to release their debut album later this year.

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The Winery Music Awards continue with an Aug. 11 concert at Silver Horse Winery in San Miguel.
For more information, check out The Tribune’s special Winery Music Awards site.

-- Sarah L.