Lang, Happy Apple dominate Minnesota Music Awards
By Jon Bream

Members of the adventurous jazz group Happy Apple may have gone home with the most trophies
from the Minnesota Music Awards Thursday night, but teen blues-rock star Jonny Lang was the big winner  for the second consecutive year. Lang, 17, was named artist of the year at the 19th annual Minnies at First Avenue in Minneapolis.
He also was honored as top male vocalist and leading blues artist for the second year in a row. Last year,  Lang was awarded five trophies, but he wasn't nominated for the prestigious artist of the year. This year, he  outpolled Prince, piano queen Lorie Line, hip-hop impresario Brent Sayers and drummer Dave King, who is in three prominent bands, for the most coveted Minnie.
The Fargo-bred, Roseville-based Lang made national news in the past year or so with a million-
selling No. 1 blues album, "Lie to Me," and impressive performances, opening concerts for  Aerosmith, Blues  Traveler and the Rolling Stones. He also appeared in the feature film "Blues Brothers 2000." The singer- guitarist was working on his second album for A&M Records in an undisclosed Twin Cities studio Thursday  night with legendary R&B guitarist-songwriter Steve Cropper and Little Feat drummer Richie Hayward.  Bruce McCabe, who is in Lang's band, was named top keyboardist/pianist for the second consecutive year.
Lang's father, Jon Langseth Sr., accepted for his son since mom, Marcia Langseth, collected the
trophies last year. Langseth thanked local blues performers Pat Hayes, Mick Sterling, Joe Juliano and  especially Dr. Mambo's Combo for their support. The members of Happy Apple were at First Avenue to collect their prizes for best jazz artist and  jazz recording ("Blown Shockwaves and Crash Flow") and best bassist (Eric Fratzke) and drummer (King,  who plays in Mary Nail and Love-cars as well); Mary Nail was chosen as the best new artist/group. Happy  Apple also had the honor of being the final performer during Thursday's ceremonies, which lasted more than  four hours. Among the night's most memorable performances were those by powerhouse blues belter Renee  Austin, old-school funksters Vanguard, country explorers Accident Clearinghouse, cartoon rockers Flipp
and the amazing hip-hop collective Rhyme Sayers.
The Jayhawks, who have picked up Minnies in five other years (including '95 for top artist), also
had a big night, capturing best major-label recording ("Sound of Lies") and best rock artist; Jayhawks  frontman Gary Louris was named best songwriter. However, song of the year went to the Honeydogs for  "Rumor Has It." They also were cited for the leading pop artist/ group.
Other double winners included dance DJ-producer Jennifer Downham, folk singer John Casey and
the R&B collective the Sensational Joint Chiefs (with leader J.G. Everest's dad, Gordon, accepting on Dad's  Night at the Minnies).
The winners were chosen by 210 members of the nonprofit Minnesota Music Academy. Last year's
Minnies ceremonies were held in July so the eligibility period for this year's nominees was reduced.
The academy's board gave the Connie Hechter Award, for a nonmusician, to Jill McLean,
proprietor of Minneapolis-based Clean Records (where Polara, Carpetbaggers and the Hang-Ups got their  start) and a longtime business manager for Soul Asylum. Some news was announced from the stage: After a strong performance, rockers February  announced that their farewell gig will be in July, and Babes in Toyland's Lori Barbero said that Tommy  Stinson, of Replacements and Perfect fame, now is the bass player with Axl Rose's Guns 'N' Roses. Here is a complete list of the Minnie winners.
Artist of the year: JonnyLang.
Song of the year: "Rumor Has It," Honeydogs.
Songwriter: Gary  Louris of the Jayhawks.
Female vocalist: Kristin Mooney.
Male vocalist: JonnyLang.
New artist/group:  Mary Nail.
Major-label recording: "Sound of Lies," Jayhawks.
Indie recording: (tie) "So We Go," Hang Ups  and "Freeloaded Wednesdays," various artists.
Blues artist/group: JonnyLang.
Blues recording: "Hustlin' Man Blues," Willie Murphy & Angel Headed Hipsters.
Bluegrass artist/group: Kate MacKenzie.
Country artist/group: Trailer Trash. Folk
artist/group: John Casey.
Folk recording: "Super America," John Casey.
Gospel artist/group: Sounds of  Blackness.
Jazz artist/group: Happy Apple.
Jazz recording: "Blown Shockwaves and Crash Flow," Happy Apple.
Pop artist/group: Honeydogs.
Pop recording: "Turbosherbet," Willie Wisely.
Rock artist/group: Jayhawks.
Rock recording: "Target," Rank Strangers.
R&B artist/group: Sensational Joint Chiefs.
R&B recording: "Mornin' Train," Sensational Joint Chiefs.
Hip-hop artist/group: Atmosphere.
Polka artist/group: Ruth Adams.
Dance/electronic artist/group: (tie) Jennifer Downham and DJ Jesus Juice.
Dance/electronic recording: "Future Perfect: Music for Listening," various artists.
Specialist artist/group: Savage Aural Hotbed.
Specialist recording: "Freeloaded Wednesdays," various artists.
Producer/engineer: Tom Herbers.
Local radio program: "Local Sound Department," KFAI.
Television program: "The Buzz," KMSP Channel 9.
Connie Hechter Award (for contributions by nonmusician): Jill McLean. Bassist: Eric Fratzke of Happy Apple.
Guitarist: Billy McLaughlin.
Horn player: Max Ray of Gondwana and Willie Murphy & the Angel Headed Hipsters. Keyboardist: Bruce McCabe of JonnyLang Band.
Drummer: Dave King of Happy Apple, Mary Nail and Love-cars.
Specialist instrumentalist: Peter Ostroushko (mandolin, violin).