The Final Countdown

A San Diego-area band snagged the top score Saturday at the Winery Music Awards, becoming the sixth group to qualify for the finals next month.

Holiday and The Pop Adventure Collective beat out three other acts from California at Silver Horse Winery in San Miguel. Based in Encitas, the group plays a blend of country, rock, pop, R&B, experimental jazz and jam music on a variety of instruments.

The summer-long Winery Music Awards draw to a close Oct. 7, when all six finalists play at the River Oaks Hot Springs & Spa in Paso Robles.

They’ll compete for a record deal with RNB Entertainment Group of Los Angeles, a custom instrument by Dave Mason’s RKS Guitars, cash and other prizes.

Musicians were graded on their originality, skill and marketability to wine drinkers — specifically, men and women age 21 to 54.

Threes and Nines, an acoustic rock trio from the Central Coast, won the grand prize in 2005.

The other five finalists for 2007 are:
Shannon Curtis: The lead vocalist for modern rock band Paradigm, this Los Angeles singer-songwriter invites comparisons to Fiona Apple and Sarah McLachlan.




Dominic Castillo & The Rock Savants: San Luis Obispo’s own indie rock band is fronted by jazz musician Dominic Castillo, twin brother of funkster Damon Castillo.




Amber Norgaard: A folk rock musician from Tucson, Ariz., Amber’s songs touch on the human experience. She was runner-up for “Up and Coming Artist of the Year” in the Tucson Area Music Awards.








Debra Arlyn: This piano-pop musician from Portland mixes classic songwriting and contemporary arrangements. She’s been compared to Kelly Clarkson and Christina Aguilera.






Machine: Mike “Buzz” Buzzetti and Rolf Gehrung joined forces in 2004 to combine pop and modern rock sounds. The Templeton band also features drummer Trent Lockridge.





The finals take place Oct. 7 at River Oaks, 800 Clubhouse Drive in Paso Robles. Tickets are $50.
For more information, call 467-WINE (9463) or visit www.winerymusicawards.com.

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.