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Modesto’s most enduring celebration of local music returned as the 2026 MAMA Awards handed out trophies to area artists, venues and events. 

The Modesto Area Music Association held its annual award show on Oct. 20 at a packed, invite-only State Theatre filled with friends and family of nominees.  The event was also live-streamed on the ModestoView Facebook page.

“It’s such a great celebration of culture and music in Modesto,” said Chris Ricci, co-founder of MAMAs, who noted it was the event’s 27th year. 

MAMAs co-Founder Chris Murphy said more than 4,780 votes were cast online across 17 categories this year. Murphy took the stage with fellow musicians to honor Jim Burgett, winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award that evening.

Burgett is a local rock and roll guitarist who, at the height of his fame, opened for bands like The Grateful Dead. In the late 1950s he and his friends brought the genre to life by promoting concerts and organizing dances in the Central Valley, Murphy told the audience.

MAMAs Lifetime Achievement Award winner Jim Burgett (right) receives his award from (left to right) Modesto Vice Mayor Jeremiah Williams, MAMAs co-founder Chris Murphy and Ceres Mayor Javier Lopez at the 27th annual MAMA Awards on Oct. 20, 2026 at the State Theatre. Credit: Vivienne Aguilar / The Modesto Focus

At 91, Burgett accepted the award, along with acknowledgements from both the cities of Modesto and Ceres for his contribution to music in the region.

The audience was filled with youth performers and hometown heroes like Burgett. Mentors took the stage to honor their students, and winners thanked their inspirations. 

More than 150 groups and performers were nominated in categories including best youth band, best venue and best event. Here are this year’s winners:

Best Alternative Indie Rock

Odd Eights

Best Hard Rock/Metal Band

Ezoterik

Best Country /Americana

Nathan Ignacio

Best Jazz & Blues

Johnny Valdez

Best Punk

The Flowers

Best Unplugged

Zoey Rae

Best Youth

Left on Red

Best Blue Collar

Midnight Haze

Best Drag

Grease Paint

Best Latin Band

Mike Torres Jr Band

Best Comedy

Athena Rodriguez

Best Event

MoPride in the Park

Best DJ

DJ Chopstiqs

Best Brewery

Dying Breed

Best Venue

Queen Bean Coffee House

Best Urban/Hip Hop

Big Rojo

Lifetime Achievement Award

Jim Burgett

  • Modesto Area Music Association co-founder Chris Murphy speaks at the MAMA Awards, celebrating the Modesto music scene, Oct. 20, 2026 at the State Theatre. Credit: Vivienne Aguilar / The Modesto Focus
  • The Johnny Valdez Trio perform at the MAMA Awards, celebrating the Modesto music scene, Oct. 20, 2026 at the State Theatre.
  • Mattea Overstreet performs at the MAMA Awards, celebrating the Modesto music scene, Oct. 20, 2026 at the State Theatre.
  • The local metal group Tiny Danger, a nominee for best youth band with members ages 11 to 13, plays at the MAMA Awards, celebrating the Modesto music scene, Oct. 20, 2026 at the State Theatre. Credit: Vivienne Aguilar / The Modesto Focus
  • MAMAs Lifetime Achievement Award winner Jim Burgett (right) receives his award from (left to right) Modesto Vice Mayor Jeremiah Williams, MAMAs co-founder Chris Murphy and Ceres Mayor Javier Lopez at the 27th annual MAMA Awards on Oct. 20, 2026 at the State Theatre. Credit: Vivienne Aguilar / The Modesto Focus

Vivienne Aguilar is a reporter for The Modesto Focus.