Jerilyn Sawyer

Providence Phoenix
Section 1, p. 4
©2004

The indefatigable Al Gomes, head ramrod of Providence-based Big Noise records, and a longtime organizer/cheerleader/packager and all-around impresario of homegrown Vo Dilun music, has once again managed to get some recognition from the Grammy Awards people for local artists. Last year, largely because of Al's efforts in getting the various selection committees to hear the music, a number of local artists were placed on Grammy ballots.

This year, for the 47th Annual Grammy Awards, Al has managed to get on "first-tier ballots." (Don't ask P&J what this means. Al's the one who has managed to master the nuts and bolts, but it sounds good, a lot better than second- or third-tier, don't you think?)

Al tells us that the following Vo Dilun artists are on this year's ballot: the Schemers; Blueswagon (with the late Rick Mendes); Greg Abate; Neutral Nation; Big Noise (Al Gomes and A. Michelle for best recording package and best compilation soundtrack album for a motion picture, television, or other visual medium); the Mill City Rockers; Mateo Luka & the Sound; Hooker Street Band; Best Friend Solitude; Jerilyn Sawyer; and Cecile Clement Grobe.

It would seem that artists in mainstream popular music categories don't stand much of a chance against bigger, much better known national acts. There is always the possibility, though, that the nominators will listen closely to all the music and disregard consensus-type thinking. Thus, the home team could actually cop a nomination.

"More better," however, is how all of these Biggest Little artists will be heard by people (the nominators) who would not ordinarily jet in from LA or Nashville for a cocktail at the Chan's, the Safari, or AS220, accidentally hearing some great local music. Of the musicians on the ballot, only Greg Abate, the great saxophonist, has a sizable base of fans outside of the region. So anything that spreads the word is good news. Thanks for all the hard work, Al.

Providence Journal
Lifebeat Section
©2002

Hope Valley's Billy Gilman isn't the only young country singer from Rhode Island getting national attention. Jerilyn Nancy Sawyer, of Burillville, took First Place this month in the North American Country Music Association Nation Competition.

Sawyer sang "Blue" and "I Hope You Dance" at the competition in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee beating out thirteen singers as Top Female Vocalist of the Year in the 7-12 year old age group.

"I really like 'Blue' and 'I Hope You Dance' shows a lot of voice," Sawyer says.

Sawyer, who turns 11 on April 15th, had won contests in the "New Country" category in Rhode Island and Hartford to advance to the final.

Her dad, Pete, says Sawyer wasn't too nervous.

"She acts like a little kid until she goes on stage. She doesn't practice. She has the natural talent, and the judges scored her very high."

In December, Sawyer sang the National Anthem on Channel 6's "Caught In Providence," the slice-of-life reality show that looks at Providence Municipal Court.

Sawyer has received six citations for her singing including honors from Lt. Gov. Charles Fogarty, US Representative Patrick Kennedy, and US Senator Jack Reed for Sawyer's recent award in the "Top Vocal" singing category in the Talent America Nationals Competition in New York.

Mark Rechter, Chairman of the Glocester Heritage Society, says of her appearance at the town's Ancients & Horribles Parade, "She had a voice that boomed off the floats and everyone was impressed with her. She sounds like Celine Dion."