Jonny Tarr, Sara Petite Among Big Winners at San Diego Music Awards

Two artists may boast of double wins at the San Diego Music Awards while Thee Sacred Souls walked away with Artist of the Year honors.

Jonny Tarr took home Album of the Year and Pop Album of the Year for “The Rules,” while Sara Petite, whose “The Empress” was named Best Country or Americana Album, also was named Best Country or Americana Artist.

Other top winners include Kimmi Bitter’s “Aquamarine,” for Song of the Year, the Suede Grenades for Best New Artist, Berkley Hart’s “Faded Tattoo,” for Best Video and Nathan Hubbard’s “Seeds of Rivers” for Best Local Recording.

Other Best Artist honors went to:

• Band of Gringos, Rock
• Matthew Phillips, Pop
• The Schizophonics, Indie/Alternative
• Brothers Burns, Hip Hop/Rap
• Anthony Cullins, Blues
• Mercedes Moore, Jazz

The awards site has the full list of winners.

The awards, handed out Tuesday at Humphrey’s by the Bay, featured performances by Bitter and nominees Ash Easton, Boostive, Joshua Taylor, Mitchy Slick and We the Commas.

The award were first handed out in 1991. The ceremony serves as the primary fundraising vehicle for the San Diego Music Foundation’s Guitars for Schools Program. The festivities also included showcases for nominees at multiple venues, including the 710 Beach Club, the Casbah, Kensington Club, Pour House in Oceanside and Navajo Live in La Mesa.