2009 Cybersocket Web AwardsBy Danny ValleCybersocketOn February 9, Eleven Nightclub in West Hollywood, California played host to the 9th Annual Cybersocket Web Awards presented by Epoch and co-hosted by L.A. socialite Jonathan Chang. For the first time in nine years, the awards were open to the public – and the house was packed. It was a veritable Who’s Who of gay porn industry bigwigs and gay celebrities, including Lucas Kazan, Tim Valenti from Naked Sword, Channel One Exclusive Jeremy Bilding, Randy Blue and his posse of beautiful models, Trevor Knight, the Cocky Boys team, Brent Everett, Jason Sechrest, Collin O’Neal, Wolf Hudson, Bruce Vilanch, Cody Cummings, Rock from Rockafellaz, Chris Steele, Steven Scarborough, J.C. Adams from Gay Porn Times, GayVN editor Harker Jones, socialite lite Bobby Trendy, and Chris Ward – just to name a few.
Cybersocket Account Executive Dina Martinez looked stunning in a gorgeous blue dress made especially for the occasion as she corraled VIP guests onto the red carpet. Sister Roma and Steve Cruz were there to greet them as cameras flashed and cameramen broadcasted live video on The Tim and Roma Show. Roma kicked off the evening by getting down on her knees to worship Steve Cruz’s crotch, perhaps as part of some arcane ritual observance. But before you could say a Hail Mary or recite a sheheshayanu, she was already dusting red carpet fuzzies off her knees and had begun startling the unsuspecting guests. The line to receive Roma’s services was so long that at one point it threatened to reach around to the cruisy alley behind the building. Which would have been convenient (since that’s where Roma probably planned to wrap up her evening.)
Outside it was a case of controlled chaos, but inside it was more like a three-ring-circus – with Chi Chi LaRue cracking the whip at the tigers and bears. With nary more than a “Hopla!” here and some cat treats there, the crowd was tamed. In the downstairs mezzanine, the general public could intermingle freely with their favorite porn stars and directors. Miraculously, there were no riots or emergency calls to the CDC. Thanks to all of the event’s generous sponsors, it was an amazing night and a great time was had by all. Among the sponsors seen were NakedSword, Buddy Profits, Men 4 Rent Now, Bel Ami, Cocky Boys, Gay IM Live and XBIZ.
Lucky nominees, sponsors, and special guests had access to a VIP area upstairs, which was crawling with the famous and infamous. Free booze gushed from faucets like manna from heaven and hors d'oeuvres were gobbled up with gusto. Once DJ Val Scinto cranked up the BPM, the dancing and chatter grew steadily more energetic. By the time the red carpet’s conga line had shut down, it was hard to move more than a couple inches in any direction.
The award show kicked off dramatically as aerial performer Vinney from Vertical Posse took to the silks. His beautiful and elegant routine was the perfect intro as he performed above the heads of the onlooking crowd. Jet Set director Chris Steele was on hand and was excited about his GayVN nominations for Best Picture and Best Director (both for Ass Cruisin’.) As Vinney did his thing, Mr. Steele seemed to be tapping into the evening’s zeitgeist when he offhandedly commented that he wished Vinney’s underwear would unravel as readily as his silks. As soon as Vinney was done, Ms. Martinez opened up the show by welcoming the guests and introducing Chi Chi LaRue, the MC for the award ceremony. Chi Chi’s entourage consisted of longtime Channel One model Johnny Hazzard and the delectable Blake Riley. LaRue wowed onlookers with her svelte new physique and her beautiful locks of blonde hair. All that healthy eating and clean livin’ has really paid off, because LaRue looked stunning in a little black dress accented with a string of pearls. Upon seeing her, someone cried out, “Sweet Mother of Pearl!” and promptly fainted. In that instant, Sister Roma genuflexed and we all knew that we had witnessed a miracle.
Despite the “Lady of Fatima” beginnings, the ceremony itself was short and sweet. LaRue didn’t read off any of the nominees in each category and instead encouraged the audience to read them. Highlights included
Brent Everett being presented with the award for Surfers Choice Live XXX Show. Before it was announced, Johnny Hazzard had been casually pointing to LaRue’s Live and Raw on the screen, which was also up for the award. LaRue lovingly berated Hazzard and said she couldn’t think of a more deserving guy than
Brent. Another great moment came when shy performer Cody Cummings won the Surfers Choice Award for Best Personality. As Cummings made his way onto the stage LaRue called him “delicious” and pre-emptively accepted his proposal as he reached out for the mic. The hetero looker was nervous, but it only made him hotter. Most of the awards were accepted by the winners themselves or a single representative, but several times the stage was stormed by a small mob of hot guys when Randal Whitley from Randy Blue went up to accept his awards. Chi Chi even warned people to get their cameras ready, because she knew they were in for a treat. The guys from Thug Boy also took to the stage when they won the Surfers Choice Award for Best Black Themed Adult Site. The guys promised that 2009 would bring more of the same hot material that their fans have come to love.
The Industry Choice Awards are especially meaningful to the nominees because it’s their peers who have cast the votes. Riley and Hazzard took turns announcing these awards as Chi Chi handed out the crystal trophies to the winners. The guys even got to hand one over to Chi Chi when C1R won the award for Best Video Company Site. Buddy Profits scored big with their win for Best Affiliate Program and Brian Randall took home Business Person of the Year.
It was a fabulous night and we congratulate all the winners and the attendees who made this into one of the best shows ever. If you weren’t able to join us this year, don’t worry. Because Cybersocket’s ten-year aniversary event will be here before you know it. See you next year!
SURFERS CHOICE WINNERS:
BEST ADULT BLOG
Queer Click
BEST ADULT NOVELTIES SITE
Male Stockroom
BEST AMATEUR VIDEO SITE
Cocky Boys
BEST AMATEUR WEBCAM
Flirt 4 Free
BEST ASIAN THEME ADULT SITE
Boykakke
BEST AVS SITE
Gay Porn Access
BEST BLACK THEME ADULT SITE
Thug Boy
BEST CELEBRITY SITE
Male Celebrities
BEST EROTIC E-ZINE
The Sword
BEST ESCORT SITE
Rent Boy
BEST EUROPEAN THEME ADULT SITE
Bel Ami Online
BEST FETISH SITE
Bound Gods
BEST FREE ADULT SITE
Dlist
BEST ADULT HOOKUP SITE
Manhunt
BEST LATIN THEME ADULT SITE
Miami Boyz
BEST LIVE XXX SHOW
Brent Everett
BEST MEGA SITE
Badpuppy
BEST NEW ADULT SITE
Classified Escorts
BEST ORIGINAL CONTENT
Randy Blue
BEST ORIGINAL THEME SITE
Active Duty
BEST ORIGINAL THEME SITE
Bait Bus
BEST PERSONALITY
Cody Cummings
BEST PORN STAR SITE
Collin O’Neal
BEST REALITY SITE
Straight Boys Fucking
BEST VIDEO COMPANY SITE
Hot House
BEST VOD SITE
AEBN
BEST VOYEUR SITE
Fratpad
INDUSTRY CHOICE WINNERS
BEST WEBMASTER COMMUNITY
Gay Demon
BEST VIDEO COMPANY SITE
Channel 1 Releasing
BEST NEW ADULT SITE
Rocket Tube
BEST AFFILIATE PROGRAM
Buddy Profits
BEST BILLING COMPANY
Epoch
BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR
Brian Randall
BEST HOSTING COMPANY
National Net
BEST INDUSTRY MAGAZINE
XBIZ
BEST LIVE FEED PROVIDER
Gay IM Live
BEST MEGA SITE
Helix Studios
BEST WEB CONTENT PROVIDER
Jock Juice Content