According to a classic Kinks song, “You can see all the stars as you walk down Hollywood Boulevard,” and scads of Southland stargazers confirmed this claim by walking no further than the Knitting Factory on a recent autumn evening. When the hip Hollywood nightclub hosted the 2006 All Access Magazine Music Awards Show on Saturday, November 4th, that ballroom on the Boulevard of Dreams blazed with the stellar brilliance of widely-known luminaries and local rising stars, who brought beautiful musical dreams into bright, amplified life for a houseful of starry-eyed onlookers.
In All Access Magazine’s (AAM’s) previous issue, the colorful show coverage by Editor-In-Chief Debra Stocker gave a good overview of the affair’s highlights, but by calling her feature “Part One,” Debra made sure the door was kept open for more photos and commentary, knowing that people would be talking about the show for quite a while to come.
A rackful of righteous sponsors provided welcome support for the festivities, not the least of which was Minarik Guitars, which provided the outstanding axe that ended up in the happy hands of Danielle Egnew. There was good fortune in the house for Danielle as she also took home the award for “Best Female Guitarist’ earlier that evening.
Music-store giant Sam Ash contributed to the show’s success, along with Taye Drums, Sabian Cymbals, and Warwick amps. Other supportive sponsors included Music Highway, Mike Cavanaugh 
Photography, Onlinegigs.com, CD Baby, New Artists Online, Manrique Photographs, Piranha Music, Tropical Media, Stylus Writing and Editing, Florida Strimel, Professional Printing Centers, Denise Ames, and Nocturnal Movements.
The evening’s musical performances ranged from the basics of the blues to the cutting-edge of the new, featuring solid roots-rockin’ sets from Judge Jackson and Joe Walla, and a trip down glam’s memory lane with Stu “Angus” Simone and Hair Guitar. A powerful portion of girl-power came with newcomers Auburn Court, and additional flavors of modern rock were dispensed by 3-faced, Seven Stitches, Hypnogaja, and Jak Paris, whose “All-Star Band” was graced with the presence of Hollywood screen darling Scarlett Pomers.
Rock-media legend Sheena Metal managed the main menu of the evening’s awards, with poise and professionalism that was well-salted with the radio personality’s trademark humor. Numerous readily-recognized musicians kept popping in throughout the affair, including such noted names as Keith Emerson, Rudy Sarzo (Quiet Riot), and Dave Paich (Toto), Audie Desbrow (Great White), Juan Croucier (Ratt) and Robert Sarzo. At the ground floor level in front of the stage, fans and friends of bands mingled and met with aspiring artists, random roadies, and hopeful talent scouts, in an eclectic entertainment-biz medley. One such spectator was Mariya Krstic-Chin of the Jimi Hendrix tribute band Foxey Lady, who was up for awards in a couple of categories. Born in Eastern Europe and raised on good ol’ rock-and-roll, Marija is an example of rock’s global appeal, bridging borders, classes, and gender pre-conceptions. 
One might not have guessed, on first meeting her, that Marija lays down licks that match Jimi’s timeless leads, or that she can sing the blues as well. But she does all that and more, as one of today’s more accomplished “tribute” artists, and a friend to All Access Magazine.
The final performance of the evening was certainly one of the most flamboyant, as My Evolution brought out a pair of dancing girls to shimmy during the set, and a mysterious masked mannekin-like figure who executed robot-like motions and gestures to accompany a couple songs. Lead singer Burgos brought his quirky, animated energy to the microphone and broadcast it to the crowd, before bidding farewell to the Knitting Factory and All Access Magazine – until next year!
And on that note, All Access Magazine wishes a hearty “Happy Holidays” greeting to all local music fans, wherever you may be found – in print, online, over the airwaves, at the clubs, making the music, supporting the music, “Keeping Local Music Alive! Rock On, y’all!
