A band from Washington recently won an award at an annual music awards ceremony and recognition on a statewide scale.

The Eli Craig Band, a country/rock band, won Best Country Band at the Carolina Music Awards in Raleigh last weekend. The band was nominated by a fan vote then won the award based on popular vote and votes by members of the awards association, said bass player Patrick Bouquio.

In its eighth year, the awards ceremony also featured the band performing one of its songs, “Lonely Together Tonight,” and will be televised for the first time in the coming weeks, according to David Braxton, the band’s agent.

Bouquio said it was the first time the band received an award or recognition in this capacity, something that is viewed as a milestone among the band members.

“I think I can pretty much speak for the guys that it means a lot,” Bouquio said. “We put a lot of hard work into it. We definitely have had some rough patches, but our friends, family and fans have supported us. It’s nice to get a little recognition for the things we’ve been doing.”

Since the Eli Craig Band formed in January of 2014, it has participated in various regional fundraisers, including a benefit concert at Twin Lakes in Whichards Beach for the April 25, 2014 tornado victims, an ALS benefit in April and continuous work with the Washington chapter of the Iron Order Motorcycle Club, all of which have created buzz for the band. Exposure through various news stations and outlets has also added to the band’s regional fame.

Band members are looking to the future as they work on their first album. They were also recently asked to perform at the Georgia Music Awards, an event sponsored by the same association as the Carolina Music Awards.

In addition to the awards ceremony in Georgia, the band is trying to set up a mini tour and continue to branch out beyond state lines, Braxton said.