Ah, to clutch a Whalie! To hold it in one's finger-tip-calloused musician's hand and pump it toward the star-glow sky in triumph!

It's an long-overdue concept. But the reality of an annual awards presentation celebrating New London's storied music scene kicks in Saturday at New London's Hygienic Arts Park with the first-ever Whalies show.

Expect a glorious, local take on Grammy/CMA-style fandangos - with a red carpet promenade, live performances, beer-fueled tension, communal love-festing and, yes, actual Whalie trophies. Over the course of the evening, artists of all stylistic description will be called to the podium to receive an award in over 25 categories.

Poignantly, the show will open with the first performance in over a year by Gone For Good - whose drummer Josh Lecce, was killed exactly a year ago by a drunken driver.

To put the whole even together was indeed a whale-sized undertaking. Local promoter Sean Murray, acknowledged as the Idea Man behind the awards and the host for the evening, and longtime scene wizard Rich Martin both emphasize how much work went into the planning to pull this off.

Murray says, "We had to listen to everything (local artists) created in the last year, and there's a lot more music in this area than most of us realize, even for a music scene so lauded for its diversity."

Indeed. While the scene's indie rock and roots music bands have long been renowned - including write-ups in the New York Times - the extensive Whalie categories demonstrate a stylistic buffet for thirsty ears.

In addition to crowning-accomplishment awards for album, record and song of the year, genres cover a range from DJ, hardcore and metal, indie/experimental to punk/ska, rock and singer-songwriter. Live clubs and visual chroniclers are not overlooked; a venue "best live music series" trophy will be awarded, as well as a Whalie for best video.

The winners in the performance awards categories - the song/album nominees - were determined by an independent judging panel of industry types. The rest - the artists in each genre category - were settled by popular vote open to the public.

"The New London music scene is one of the most expansive in New England, incorporating many dozens of bands in all genres," Martin says. "The list of active acts is always shifting and turning, and that's one of the reasons it's such a joy to present music in the region because as a promoter you are constantly being surprised by that diversity."

And while several artists - including Matt Gouette, Urban P, the Hempsteadys, Sue Menhart Band, Straight to VHS and the Original Sinners - will perform at the ceremony, it's far more than just another weekend bill in one of the area's mainstay rooms like the Bank Street Café, Oasis Pub or El 'n' Gee Club.

"There are so many logistics besides just counting votes or booking a few bands," says Murray, who credits his four years of drama at New London High School for providing experience and context. "Personally, I consider the Whalie Awards more of a theatrical production than a concert. There are cues, presenters, multiple performers … a lot of stuff is happening very quickly."

Some might wonder if, given a format of lots of categories multiplied by several contestants in each category, if the scope of the event means that virtually anyone owning a guitar is basically guaranteed a nomination.

"There are still plenty of artists that were not nominated," Murray says. "Most people would say, 'It seems like everyone is getting nominated.' What this means is we did a good job because these are the artists that actually stay active and get their name out there."

Martin adds, "We're happy to have as many artists involved as possible. Everyone who is a working musician in New London, playing gigs, recording material, finding ways to spread their wares in the difficult environs of the modern music biz deserves this chance at recognition from their peers."

Across the board, nominees seem delighted by the Whalies.

"We thought it was a great idea, and then, to be nominated was a complete surprise," says Sodium Lights drummer Rich Freitas. The band is up for Best Indie/Experimental Artist, Album of the Year ("Post-Signal"), and Best Indie/Experimental Performance ("Safe Heat"). "Hey, where else can you put on some tuxes and just have a blast for three-and-a-half hours with other musicians you've known for years in the proper spirit of fun?"

Freitas is also drummer for Low-Beam, another Album of the Year nominee for "Charge of the Light Brigade."

When the big night arrives, it will kick off with an actual, photo-bulbs-flashing, wave-to-the-paparazzi, red carpet processional. And even that necessitates perhaps unanticipated preparation - all of which Murray and Martin admit is worth it. Where, indeed, does one acquire a red carpet?

Murray says it was not a problem: "We're weaving it out of the broken guitar strings found at shows throughout the last year."

r.koster@theday.com

IF YOU GO

WHAT: The First Annual Whalie Awards, an event celebrating the diversity of the New London and regional music scene.

WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday (Red Carpet at 6 p.m.)

WHERE: Hygienic Art Park, 79-83 Bank St., New London.

HOW MUCH: $10 benefitting New London Music Festival and the

I Am Fest.

INFO:

thewhalieawards.tk