Performers did their best to prove that Boston does indeed have a substantive music scene. Gang Starr, receiving a Boston Hall of Fame Award, shared bumping beats and inspiring words with the audience. Guru, the rhyming side of the duo, said, "I left Boston with a duffel bag and a dream and somehow did something big." He also attempted to bridge the obvious and awkward gap between hip-hop artists on stage and the pop/rock fans that dominated the audience by giving a "Big-up to Godsmack -- I like your stuff." Not so much that they didn't bolt from the auditorium shortly after receiving their awards, thus missing the opportunity to watch Godsmack (recipient of Act of the Year) perform two singles, "Voodoo" and "Keep Away," which garnered them the honor of "most airplay of any current rock band." The audience responded ecstatically. The irreligious ones gave a lively performance; their head-banging antics and the booming speakers would have made Gang Starr proud. Less interesting was Donna Summer's belting out of a forgettable techno-laced, Cher-esque number. Susan Tedeschi (Winner, Outstanding Blues Act, Single of the Year on an Indie Label), Angry Salad, and the Push Stars (Winner, Debut Rock Band on a Major Label) gave solid performances that the audience did not entirely ignore. Less attention

was given to local artists (for example, The Pills, receiving Debut Album of the Year on an Indie Label) who took the stage to receive awards. Even more disheartening were the off-stage awards that while essential because of time constraints, were nonetheless a little sad. A nomination for a Boston Music Award doesn't necessarily mean you've made the big-time, nor that you've gained the industry's and your colleagues' respect.

As what was left of the audience rose to depart at the end of the ceremony, Dave Holmes implored them "Please, people, support your local music scene." These words would perhaps have rung a little more true had they not been uttered by a spearhead for mainstream music at its finest. As music fans and professionals poured out of the Orpheum and made their way to the Park Street Red Line stop across the street, these words certainly appeared to have little resonance. Boston music fans walked past the man on the platform with the open guitar case bidding them "Welcome to Acousticland" with their ears (and wallets) closed, as they indifferently awaited the approach of the train which would whisk them back to radio stations emitting music they recognized. Local music scene, indeed.