Rock Regeneration

The annual Original Music Awards (OMAs), which celebrates Dorset musicians and the local industry, will take place on 17th January 2026. It is relocating from Lighthouse Poole to The Marsham Court Hotel in Bournemouth. Ahead of the night, the OMAs have revealed some of the winners its special award categories. Most notable, the OMAs will present a special award for “Putting Dorset On The Map” to acclaimed musician and political activist Billy Bragg. Bragg is a highly accomplished singer songwriter with 42 years of experience as a performer, as well as an advocate for the music industry and other political causes. Having owned a home in Burton Bradstock from 1999 to 2021, he has also been vocal about the beauty of Dorset and is a keen activist in encouraging it to remain that way. He recently took part in a protest against plans for a waste incinerator plans for Weymouth and Portland where he made a speech and performed.

In awarding this gong, the OMA panel said “Billy’s love of music, people and the environment that surrounds him, inspires and encourages the people of Dorset to stand up for what they believe in and celebrate those that have. Throughout his career he has always been honest to himself and others and we feel that he embodies what the awards stand for.”

Organisers Matt Black and Mel Payne from Hangover Hill, the team behind the grassroots music events “Live & Unheard” and “Legends” at Lighthouse Poole, said: “We started the awards to bring some positivity to the local music industry. We know what a thriving music scene there is in Dorset and we felt it should be celebrated.

“The music community works because it supports itself, and as a direct result of the OMAs there are now more venues across Dorset that are willing to support and encourage original music, which can only be a good thing for creativity in this inspirational part of the world.”

The annual Original Music Awards Dorset (OMAs) celebrate not just musicians but all who work in the local industry, adding a touch of red carpet glamour to the county. “The music community works because it supports itself and as a direct result of the OMAs there are now more venues across Dorset that are willing to support and encourage original music, which can only be a good thing for creativity in this inspirational part of the world.”

A range of different awards will be presented on the night, decided by a panel of music journalists, musicians, promoters, and radio hosts from across the county. Aside from the normal categories there are also special awards to give wider recognition and thanks. The winners of this year’s, alongside Billy Bragg, are:

Eclectic Achievement: Helena Mace
Helena Mace is a well-established country-pop artist and singer-songwriter based in the Bournemouth. Although, now registered deaf due to a tumour in her brain, which causes many challenges, she has not let it stop her performing and recording and is now currently working on her 8th studio album with Matt Black at Hangover Hill Records. Three of her previous albums Number 1 in the ITUNES country charts, and made the All genre top 10. In 2022 Helena was recipient of The Gary Perkins Angel Award for an outstanding contribution to country music in the UK. Then, in 2023, she was named UK Female Country Singer of the Year. Backed by her band, RumSoaked, she performed at the Texas Sounds International Country Music Awards October 2024 bringing home trio/band of the year and she also recently won UK Country Artist of the Year 24 in the West Midlands. Helena was very overwhelmed to receive the prestigious Musician of the year award 2025 at the FPCM Red carpet awards in the Netherlands and has been invited back in 2026 as a Nominee.

Grassroots Music Hero: Lyn Mackenzie
Based in Weymouth, Lyn has been a champion of the grassroots music scene for many years and is well loved by Dorset musicians. She has given them a platform to perform making sure that they feel welcome and supported. Alongside local bands and artists her venues have hosted touring bands, open mics and her ever popular open jam sessions where anyone can get up and join in on the stage. The stand out quality in Lyn is that she inspires a strong team behind her, which in turn enhances the quality of the entertainment at her venues for both the performers and the audience.

Supporting Original Music: The Tap & Grape Broadstone
Dave Brown and the team took the venue on 10 days before the Covid pandemic lockdown. They then had some decisions to make about which direction to go in, would it be food, just a bar or have the addition of live music? As big lovers of live music they decided to put some on and see what happened. From there it’s continued to grow, more artists and bands got in touch so they made it a regular thing. Alongside their regular covers artists keeping everyone entertained they have also hosted touring bands and a regular open mic showcase for original artists. Dave says on musicians “We love their love of what they do and the uniqueness they all bring to their shows. We like to keep the live music scene fresh in the same way we do with our drinks, offering classics everyone knows
and the quirky nobody’s heard of”.

Unsung Heroes: The Mistakes
The Mistakes are a high-energy punk band from Poole, known for their raw sound and explosive live shows. Since forming in 2009 they’ve toured the UK and Europe, rocking venues from Bournemouth to Berlin. The band have put out a host of quality releases on their own NBQ record label. They have also over the past few years set up their own NBQ festival, giving their support to a host of local acts from the Dorset music scene.

Unwavering Support To Local Musicians: Ben Waters
“Key shattering Boogie Woogie” is how the Guardian newspaper described Ben Waters after a concert at Ronnie Scott’ s—known for energetic performances and powerful renditions of early boogie-woogie and Rock n ‘ Roll. Waters always plays music that he loves, the music of his heroes Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis, Amos Milburn, Little Richard, Ian Stewart and a host of other piano players. In between his busy working schedule he makes time to mentor emerging musicians giving them opportunities on the road with him. After the pandemic when the local music industry and performers were really struggling he developed his own festival ‘Raising Spirit’ allowing musicians to take the stage in front of the masses once again and the chance to earn an income.

Hometown Harmony Award: Rob Hoare (Square Records)
Next year will mark Rob’s 40 year of working in record shops. He joined ‘Woody’s Records in Ferndown in 1986, then moved to Square Records in Wimborne in 1996. He has managed both shops and gained a huge knowledge of music in general and the local scene, there would be few people that could beat him in a quiz. Rob also used to play drums in two local punk bands – Intestines and Butcher. He is still active on the local scene and has provided help as a volunteer at alternative/punk festival Fazza Fest in memory of his late friend Faren Short. This has involved putting on a few unique gigs actually in the record shop in Wimborne itself, which has been a great success with more planned. It was also noted that Rob bought every attendee a drink too.

Inspirational Person: Dan Baker
Dan Baker is a highly talented musician who not only performs but has also run numerous open mics and jam sessions in Blandford and the surrounding areas, always with words of encouragement for those who may be feeling the nerves. Dan has recently undergone surgery to remove a brain tumour and is now on the road to recovery, although such a major operation has required him to relearn things that had become second nature whilst having to adjust to playing instruments in a different way. Throughout his personal journey he has remained positive and most certainly an inspiration to others to make the most
of life.

The Alex JT Award: Sanguis Mortem
This award is in the name of Alex JT who was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome in his early teens, he went on to have many successes in both live performance as a musician and also producing music for the gaming industry before his untimely death aged 29 from Sudden Adult Death Syndrome. His parents have chosen to have this award presented to an artist or band who strive to work hard at what they do despite facing challenges. Sanguis Mortem are a teenage thrash metal fusion band who have already released 6 singles and supported notable UK bands in their scene. One of their members works within his autistic constraints and they pull together as a team to ensure they achieve their goals. This is a band who are all about the talent and not the adversities that may hold others back.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Paul Tucker
From his first public performance in 1981 at the infamous Third Side Club in Bournemouth, Paul Tucker has racked up over 20 bands and countless local venues where he was the soundman of choice. He has taught guitar for decades, worked for Cash Guitars for 12 years, and then Langdons Electric Guitars in Southbourne, creating the Southern Ukulele Store which now resides at Absolute Music. It’s safe to say Paul has been involved with the local music scene in all it’s corners for decades and richly deserves this Lifetime Achievement Award.

Services To The Community: Absolute Music
For most musicians in the area, Absolute Music is the go-to place for any new equipment that they need. As well as being a fantastic music shop with staff who have expert knowledge and advice it also offers repair services, studio hire and puts on it’s own events. It is the home of Bournemouth Academy Of Modern Music (BAMM), a post-16 college with courses that cover everything music industry related. It’s charitable side is the Absolute Music Trust which is enriching lives through music and aims to give every child the opportunity to learn to play. Musicians would agree this is a highly deserved award.

Main Categories Final Nominees 2025 (Winners to Be announced on the Night)

Venue Accessibility & Inclusivity
The Angel, Poole
Crossroads, Poundbury
Tap & Grape, Broadstone

Best Tech Support
Alfie Lee
Luke Ayriss
Thomas Hughes

Best Open To All
Howl Open Mic
Acoustic Connection
Bournemouth Electronic Open Mic

Best Under 18
Chasing Leaves
Vinaya
SULIS

Best Breakthrough Act
Wytch
Naema
Kayleigh & The Tryhards

Best Songwriter
Ruffdog Elliott
Alex Roberts
Graeme Wey

Best Independent Promoter
Neverlast Events
Dixie Dix
Hawkeye Houlihan

Best In-House Promoter
Conrad Barr/Solid Air (Chaplin’s)
Kirsten Stevens (Bear Cave)
Alex Wallis (Square & Compass)

Best Original Music Venue
Bear Cave
Four Horseman
Chaplin’s

Best Festival
Rustic Stomp
Poole Harbour Festival
Shaftesbury Fringe

Best Recorded Work Single
Millie Watson (Troubles)
Chris Payn (Breakfast)
Nia Nicholls (If You Were A Song)

Best Recorded Work EP
Jack Grace (V1)
Sirpico (Too Much Fun)
Velour (Last Night At The Paradise Lost)

Best Songwriter
Ruffdog Elliott
Alex Roberts
Graeme Wey

Best Recorded Work Album
The Gaslight Troubadours & The Mirorim (Children Of The Sun)
Wytch (Wytch)
Powdered Cows (Lost Pyx On Space Mountain)

Best Video
Roxanne Phillips (Fergo Shanty)
Dixie Dix (Smoking Kills)
Velour (Keepsakes)

Best Solo Act
Carley Varley
Jack Grace
Ruffdog Elliott

Best Live Act
Ribble
The Midnight Alliance
Dead Horse Bay

Best Small Band
Velour
The Dukes Of Hades
Plastic Jeezus

Best Band
The Two Man Travelling Medicine Show
Dead Horse Bay
The Surfin Birds

The Dan Meazza Award For Best Guitarist
Romeo Kennedy
Jamie Parker
Andy Grant

Best Hard Rock/Metal
Sanguis Mortem
The Dukes Of Hades
Banasar

Tickets to the OMA’s Awards Ceremony are on sale now, from here.

Links
https://www.facebook.com/hangoverhillpresents
https://www.facebook.com/OriginalMusicAwards
https://hangoverhill.co.uk/original-music-awards-dorset/