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The Orange Show

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"I've only been with them for the last two years, so it's really great for me, because I'm batting a thousand," deadpanned DJ J.Rod. "Basically, I think they couldn't have done it without me."

During his acceptance speech, Stegman thanked the Houston Band Coalition, an organization that he said is making positive changes in the local music scene. "Everybody in it is supportive of each other. We've been members since 2004, and we feel like the coalition is a tremendous factor in the growth of Houston's music scene. They're making things happen. So, of course, they are always at the top of our list of people to thank."

Asked to confirm the rumor that each of the LoneStar PornStar band members was required to appear in an adult movie before joining the band, DJ J.Rod, despite his obvious porn stage name, hesitated and then said, "You're going to have to buy me a lot more beers before you can get me to answer that question." -- O.F.A.

Best New Act: Million Year Dance

The theatrical and mystical rockers of Million Year Dance were terse and enigmatic when they accepted their award. "We'd like to dedicate this to Steven, who can't be with us," said singer Jonathan Welch, whose vocals are downright amazing. The band's shows incorporate Eastern religious imagery, potted plants, incense and soon, they say, puppets too. -- J.N.L.

Best Drummer: Paul "Falcon" Valdez

A product of the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts jazz program, Valdez defines the word "impeccable" behind the kit. You've heard all those drummer jokes: "What do you call someone who hangs around with musicians? A drummer." Not Valdez, a true musician behind the kit and a master of the Jim Keltner/Pete Thomas school of skin-bashing. Tody Castillo, one of the many musicians in town to enlist his services, says, "He brings that big ol' bag of percussion with him and his rock drum set. And what he does works -- he's never back there doing stuff just because he can." -- J.N.L.

Best Record Store: Soundwaves

It took something tantamount to an act of God -- the actual closure of the store -- but Cactus Music and Video did not win this category as it had every year but once. Not that Cactus's shuttering stopped many of you from voting for it anyway -- 150 or so of you did so even though the store is now nonexistent, which was enough to place it in second place in the final tally. Thirteen of you wrote "n/a," 44 of you stumped for Best Buy and Wal-Mart, and 24 of you voted for "the Internet" or specific Web sites. Data like that makes us truly depressed about the future of bricks-and-mortar music retail. -- J.N.L.

Best Female Vocalist: Lisa Novak

Houston has yet to see what will come of Lisa Novak's effort to raise her status from a local favorite to national icon. Novak is in the studio working on her latest release while trying to capture the attention of label bigwigs who might be interested in her enticing blend of acoustic pop and alt-country. This is Novak's second straight year to take the award for Best Female Vocalist, but that shouldn't be surprising to the fans who have continued to join her at her regular gig at the Big Top every Tuesday. -- Dusti Rhodes

Best Traditional Rock: Southern Backtones

The Backtones have been making the scene so long we tend to take them for granted, like the wallpaper in the guest bathroom. Hank Schyma keeps refining his take on modern rock, molting his skin occasionally to remake his stage image. But no matter the costuming, the Backtones know the job of a rock band is to rock, and Schyma's crew can party with the best. "Thank you all," enthused Schyma from the stage. " We'd especially like to thank John Evans. We wouldn't be here without him." -- W.M.S.

Song of the Year: "George Bush Don't Like Black People" The Legendary K.O.

This, for me, was the feel-good win of the whole shebang. A post-Katrina remix of Kanye West's "Gold Digger," with lyrics like "If FEMA really comes through in an emergency / But nobody seem to have a sense of urgency / Now the mayor's been reduced to crying / I guess Bush said, 'Nigga's been used to dying!'" and "Hurricane came through, fucked us up round here / Government acting like it's bad luck down here / All I know is that you better bring some trucks round here / Wonder why I got my middle finger up round here," this ranks as one of the greatest protest songs ever recorded. Going back to their days as K-Otix, the Legendary K.O. have always been the conscience of Houston's hip-hop scene; with this song, which has been downloaded more than 2.5 million times, they became the conscience of the nation. -- J.N.L.

Best Cover Band: Molly & the Ringwalds

"This is for all the Jewish police officers!" singer Jennifer Ringwald said giddily (and cryptically) upon accepting the trophy -- which they won despite shameless politicking by the Allen Oldies Band. So what put them over the top? "I think it was 'Livin' on a Prayer.' Bon Jovi -- he's our new level of excellence!" she added. Guitarist-bassist Dekan Ringwald promised "120 new '80s songs" added to the repertoire in the coming year before Jennifer upped the ante. "We're going to do naked karaoke!" -- B.R.

Best World Music/Reggae: D.R.U.M.

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