The 2023 Sammy Awards took place on March 3 at The Palace Theater in Syracuse. This year’s ceremony had an outstanding turn out as all came together to celebrate and applaud the accomplishments of all artists and genres of music across Central New York.
This year’s SAMMY Awards were hosted by Dave Frisnia, notable for his career in broadcasting. Frisnia hosts his online radio show “Soulshine” every Sunday morning, and claimed to be one of the longest-running local music broadcast shows in the state of New York. A notable highlight of this year’s show included bringing out members on stage of the all time ‘Hall of Fame’ from the past 30 years.
These Hall of Famers came together to applaud their gratitude to Liz Nowak nominated as Founder of the Year. On stage she states, “I’ve worked and learned from everyone on this stage tonight. We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the music that you create. It’s your courage that puts those lyrics to page.” Her dedication to the SAMMYs is well recognized among the Syracuse music community and the annual awards show wouldn’t be where it stands today, without her.
This year, not only was the SAMMYs a place of recognition with awards but also a place to acknowledge the joy of music. Between nominations various bands and musicians came to play and show their talent who deserve recognition. Such as Not Robots!, opening with one of their hit songs ‘Go Peacefully’. Other bands performing included Carolyn Kelly Blues Band, Chuck Schiele’s Quatro, Trauma Cat and the Brownskin Band, and a special performance by Dylan Michael, nominated as Best New Artist. At only tthe age of 13, Dylan proved his young talent on the electric guitar, having started playing at the age of 6 years old. As Best New Artist, Dylan won 6 hours from local recording studio SubCat Studios.
To conclude the 2023 SAMMY Awards, a major milestone was marked, celebrating 30 years of appreciating and awarding local talent and musicians from Central New York. Breaking all records with 242,190 total votes this year, NYS Music had the honor in presenting the Jazz Award to promote and honor blues, swing and passion expressed with creative freedom, and honoring diversity, collaboration and the community that music holds to bring us together.
2023 SAMMY Award Recipients
Best Single – All Poets & Heroes, “Give it to me Straight”
Best Singer/Songwriter – Paul Case, “This Love”
Best Electronic – Everett, “Alien’s Attempt”
Best Other – Tom Rasely, “Nylon”
Best R&B – Shawn Seals & SMX, “Session Files #1”
Best Pop – Cloey Tierno, “i fell in love with the rain”
Best Country – Steven Cali, “Own Kinda Fix”
Best Jazz – London McDaniel, “The Christmas Album”
Best Jam Band – Adam Brooks, “Ain’t All About You (double album)”
Best Hard Rock – Stone Thrower, “This is Permanent”
Best Americana – John Cadley, “I Never Knew”
Best Hip-Hop/Rap – Slick Fashionz & Queeto ABF Ft. All Bout Family, “The world is Yours”
Best Alternative – Bell & Sgroi, “Candy Apple”
Best Rock – Glass Image, “Mixed Emotions”
Best New Artist – Dylan Michael
Community Spirit Award – Jane Stebbins-Skowron
Jack O Bocchino Award – Neil Daley
Founders Award – Liz Nowak
SAMMY’S Hall of Fame Inductees: Kevin Dorsey (Music Educator), Carolyn Kelly, Doug Thaler, Larry Hoyt and Irving Kauffman (Lifetime Achievement)
Peoples Choice:
Artist – Cam Caruso
Events – Oswego Harborfest
Organizations – Oswego HighSchool Marching Buccaneers
Venues – Gibby’s Irish Pub
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