Chris Butler is an Akron-based songwriter and musician, and is both a product of, and a raging fan of “the Akron sound”. Chris has partnered with The Panza Foundation in Cleveland to coordinate an Akron-centric award, with the mission of bringing our vibrant music scene – past, present and future – to a wider audience, and to confirm Akron as a creative center unlike any other.

The first honorees are thrashsurf- extremos THE BEYONDERERS! Honorable Mentions this year are Power Pop masters FANCY LEGS and the up-and coming indie band FUNERAL PROPOSALS. Winners will receive a stipend to help with recording costs, gear upgrades, merch, or whatever they need. They will also gain access to The Panza Foundation’s creative and music business resources as well as Chris’ support and assistance.

“This is only the first year”, Butler says, “but there are SO many great and deserving musical entities here. The noise bands at Hive Mind, Annabelle’s steady stream of punk-indescribables, the jazz artists at Blu Jazz, the Latin and funk bands I’ve seen at Porch Rokr and at The Akron Art Museum’s summer concerts. There’s a huge folk and acoustic scene, singer-songwriters, Country and the most outside, experimental stuff. I wish I could gift them all.”