SAMMYs

Nominees announced for the 2015 Syracuse Area Music Awards

(Katrina Tulloch | ktulloch@syrac)

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- At a press conference at the Palace Theatre Tuesday morning, SAMMYs legend Joe Whiting announced 57 nominees for the 2015 Syracuse Area Music Awards, as well as six new members of the Hall of Fame.

Trophies will be awarded in 13 categories during a ceremony on March 6. Three "people's choice" trophies will also be awarded at the 2015 SAMMYs, as well as the Brian Bourke award for Best New Artist.

Inductees to the Hall of Fame this year are Bobby Comstock, Chris Goss, Loren Barrigar, The Works and David Rezak (Music Educator award). Phish's Jon Fishman will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.

The SAMMYs this year added several new categories to better reflect the makeup of the local scene. New this year are categories like "Best Jam Band" (Joe Driscoll & Sekou Kouyate, Liquid Lounge Band, Acadia, Our Friends Band, Count Blastula) and "Best Singer/Songwriter" (Tim Herron, Alanna-Marie Boudreau, Rabbit in the Rye, Kingsley Malcolm, William James Nicholson).

"Music is always changing," said SAMMYs Executive Director Liz Nowak. "We want to keep up with what's popular."

Also new this year is a third People's Choice Award category: Best Festival/Series.

The pool of nominees this year is flush with fresh faces, including artists like Julia Goodwin, Leah Shenandoah, Alanna-Marie Boudreau and Castle Creek. Of the 57 nominees, only five are previous winners: Sir Magnus, Mick Fury, Mick Fury & Midnight Moonshine, Brownskin Band, Samba Laranja and Oxburg. Bob Halligan Jr., of Ceili Rain, is a member of the Hall of Fame as well.

The SAMMYs awards ceremony, sponsored by World of Beer, takes place Friday, March 6 at the Palace Theatre in Eastwood. JoAnne Shenandoah, Grupo Pagan, Ruddy Well, Scars n Stripes and The Works will perform. The Hall of Fame induction ceremony takes place the night prior -- Thursday, March 5 -- at Dinosaur Bar-B-Que. Tickets for both events can be purchased via SyracuseAreaMusic.com.

Best Pop

Ceili Rain

Nick & Noah

Sir Magnus

Best Country

Hattie Lewis Band

Mick Fury & Midnight Moonshine

Jason Kreuger

Megan Lee

Driftwater

Best Jazz

Julia Goodwin

Nick Ziobro

Christiane Page

The Bob Holz Band

Scott Dennis

Best Hip Hop

Oxburg

Nick Case a.k.a. Decoy

Supa Satty

Coke Da Don

Shystee

Best Blues

Tas Cru

Tangled Roots

Funky Blu Roots

Johnny Ray & The Stonethrowers

Castle Creek

Best R&B

Brownskin Band

Shakeif

Best Americana

Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers

The Brothers MacRae

Larry Hoyt & the Good Acoustics

String Bee

Best Alternative

Leah Shenandoah

The Overnighters

Phoenix Eleven

Phantom Chemistry

Joe Valentine

Best Rock

Ben Mauro

The FabCats

The Golden Novak Band

William Gruff

The Unknown Woodsmen

Best Hard Rock

Jeremiah's Razor

Nineball

How to Disappear Completely

Armed With Valor

Vampire Choir

Best Other Style

Doolin O'Dey

Samba Laranja

Peter Lavine

Best Jam Band

Joe Driscoll & Sekou Kouyate

Liquid Lounge Band

Acadia

Our Friends Band

Count Blastula

Best Singer/Songwriter