The Syracuse Area Music Awards (SAMMY) has announced their 2025 Hall of Fame inductees and award nominees for their upcoming Hall of Fame induction dinner and Award Show in March.
The SAMMY’s has announced the 2025 Hall of Fame class, including rock band Alecstar, percussionist Ron Keck, live music venue Shifty’s, rock band Wilkesbury Brigade, Music Educator of the Year recipient Holly McCoy and Lifetime Achievement recipient Matt Forger. The incoming class honors individuals that not only have connections to the Syracuse community but also have made high advancements to the top of their fields, recognizing each artist and venue’s incredible work throughout the years.
In addition to the Hall of Fame, SAMMY recognizes musicians for genres such as jazz, jam band, americana, pop, rock, hard rock, alternative, R&B, country, hip-hop/rap, singles, blues and other styles. With 182 artists submitting over 270 recordings, an independent panel of music industry professionals and educators nationwide reviewed all submissions and made final selections for each category based on the artist’s merit within their genre.
Additionally, SAMMY includes the Jack O Bocchino Spirit of the SAMMY Award and the Community Spirit Awards, awarded this year to Mike Kohil and 315 Thursdays, respectively. Kohil, a journalist, photographer and advocate, is a key figure in the central New York music scene. The founder of 315 Music has created the platform to become a vital resource for artists and fans within the central New York community. 315 Thursdays is a free concert series that brings the Syracuse community together through music, food and culture. The concert series prides itself on promoting local businesses, supporting artists and enhancing Syracuse culture through grants, sponsorships and collaborations with other organizations.
The Hall of Fame Induction Dinner will be held at Middle Ages Brewing Company from 7-10 p.m. on Thursday, March 6, and the Award Show will be held at the Palace Theatre at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 7. For more information, visit here.
2025 SAMMY Award Nominations
Best Jazz
Bob Holz – Night Watch
CNY Jazz Orchestra – If a White Horse from Jerusalem…
Jeff Martin – First Take
Best Jam Band
Ginbucket – On Fire
James and the Kyusonics – Chasing Gremlins
The Magnetic Pull – Lies in Every Sound
Root Shock – Rise
Transient Kicks – Take off Your Shoes
Best Americana
The Dart Brothers – Lovers Motel
Harmonic Dirt – Tumbleweeds
Point Project – Theft, Karma & Coincidence: Part 1
The Ripcords – White Cadillac
Whitney Road – Home
Best Pop
Amanda Marie – What Is Love?
Ariel Arbisser – Ingenue Corrupt
Cam Caruso – Try It Out
Cloey Tierno – inward
Jess Novak – Womann
Best Other Style
Max Scialdone – Somewhere In Paradise
Mt. Erebus – Mt. Erebus
The Stranger – Beware of God
Test Kitchen – A Little of This And That
Tom Rasely – Clockwork
Best Rock
The Half/Cubes – Pop Treasures
Backyard Wrestling – Jorts
Jeff Gordon – Button Fly Jeans
Maybe Sunday – Tabula Rasa
McGrath – You and Me / Gotta Get Outta Here
Best Hard Rock
Into Shadow – Into Shadow
King Squiddy and the Sethlapods – Tentacles Out
Nightshade – Gates of Valhalla
Sent From Beyond – All Souls Burn
Somewhat Human – Initiation
Best Alternative
The Amazing Shakes – Vampire Girlfriend EP
Jeremy Romance – The Broken Heart Chronicles: Pt. 1
Mira Grimm – Restless Soul
Modafferi – The Production
Paper Rabbit – Havre de Grace
Best R&B
Ezee – The Autumn Collection
FB – Love letter
FB – Pray for Me
Best Country
Amanda Marie – Rise & Fall
Jon Rogalia – Spinning Wheels
Tink Bennett – It Is What It Is
Best Hip-Hop or Rap
C-Nube – I Hope You Do Good but Not Better Than Me
FB – Big Mindfree
Karim Lesgoooya – The Lesgoooya Mixtape 2
Premium Mike – Private Run
Trex – My.Space.
Best Single
AK Kastro – Too Tired
Jeremy Romance – Switchblade Heartache
Jess Novak – Woman
Mbusi – Let’s Fly
Zak G – STARSTUCK
Best Blues
Nate Gross Band – A Ride With The Devil
Raedwald Howland-Bolton – Live at Rose Hall
Jack O Bocchino Spirit Of The SAMMY Award
Mike Kohli
Community Spirit Award
315 Thursdays
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