Alabaster Boxer named West Virginia’s ‘Artist of the Year’ by Born & Bred’s 2024 Reader’s Poll
By Matthew Young, RealWV
Born & Bred, the only online magazine dedicated to celebrating the music of West Virginia, has announced the winners of their “2024 Reader’s Poll.”
White Sulphur Springs-based Alabaster Boxer were Born & Bred’s most honored artists of 2024, claiming the prize for both Folk Band of the Year, and Artist of the Year. Song of the Year honors went to “Doin’ My Best,” by Corduroy Brown.
Charleston-native Sierra Ferrell was named the year’s top country artist. Ferrell edged out a stacked field, which included Brad Paisley, Josh Pantry, Kate Boytek, Tyler Childers, The Holler Hounds, Charles Wesley Godwin, Matt Vanfossen, Nathan Bess, Roger Richards, Mikele Buck Band, Ella Wheeler, Khegan McClane, AM Benson, Philip Bowen, Kelsey Jeffires, Adam Yokum, and the Chris Weaver Band.
Rock Band of the Year honors went to Matt Mullins and the Bringdowns, with The Bedheads and Truckstop named as Best Punk and Metal Bands, respectively. Dinosaur Burps were named Best Rap Artist, Adrian Michael was named best R&B Artist, and Grace Campbell was named best Pop artist.
The award for Best Americana Artist of the Year went to Hello June, BlueGrass Artist of the Year was Chandler Beavers, Robbie Lanham was named 2024’s top producer, and Healing Appalachia took the honors as the year’s best music festival.
Logan County-native, and America’s Got Talent winner Landau Eugene Murphy was voted as West Virginia’s top jazz performer of 2024, and “Mr. Some Kind Of Wonderful” himself, John Ellison, was named the year’s top funk artist.
Complete list of nominees and winners:
Pop
- Grace Campbell – winner
- Corduroy Brown
- Emily Lehr
- Adrian Michael
- Buni Muni
- Ashley Renae
- Lauren Winans
- Adam Yokum
- Elements of Us
- Sarah Giles
- Jared Henry
Rock
- Matt Mullins and the Bringdowns – winner
- Never Zero
- Matt Deal
- Gyasi
- Title Wave
- Midnight Club
- Ducain
- Massing
- Emmalea Deal & The Hot Mess
- Auric Echoes
- Fruit! From Strangers
- Mediogres
- Bottle & Bride
- School Appropriate
- Bobaflex
- Milkweed
- Intoxicated Zen
- Kurt Shultis
- The Argument
- Rett Madison
- Tom Batchelor Band
- Verdeant Band
Country
- Sierra Ferrell – winner
- Josh Pantry
- Kate Boytek
- Matt Vanfossen
- Nathan Bess
- Brad Paisley
- The Holler Hounds
- Charles Wesley Godwin
- Roger Richards
- Mikele Buck Band
- Ella Wheeler
- Khegan McClane
- AM Benson
- Philip Bowen
- Kelsey Jeffries
- Adam Yokum
- Chris Weaver Band
- Tyler Childers
Folk
- Alabaster Boxer – winner
- Dalchord
- Ryan Brandenburg
- Kindred Valley
- The Lords of Lester
- Mister Mae
- Soda Pop Gypsies
- Sam Eplin
- The Arcadian Wild
- Christian Lopez
Punk
Metal
- Truckstop – winner
- Horseburner
- Onikuma
- Danger of Falling
- Curses
- Vulgar Royalty
- Lord Humungus
- ScareTape
Rap
- Dinosaur Burps – winner
- Shelem
- Logical
- Stereophonic
- Monstalung
- Trevor Cooke
- Duck City Music
- Kintellect
- Smith b
- Jumbo Green (6’6 240)
- Travis Echols
- Spike Yee
- Deep Jackson
Additional Nominees
- The Shoats
- Chosen Road
- The State Birds
- William Matheny
- A Tale of Two
- Samuel James
- Tyler Corbin
- Mor Ilderton
- Space Freq
- Carlton Smith
- CJ Rhen
More than 100 West Virginia artists in total were nominated for the Born & Bred 2024 Reader’s Poll Awards. For a complete list of nominees and winners, or to support Born & Bred, visit bornandbredmusic.com.
