By Eric Moon SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – The Syracuse Area Music Awards, more popularly known as the SAMMYS, began March 21st at Dinosaur Bar-B-Que in downtown Syracuse with the Hall of Fame dinner. The Syracuse Area Music Awards Committee organizes the event each year to promote local musicians in the central New York area. Now in its 26th year, the “Syracuse Grammys” feature 13 awards categories such as Best Rock, Best R&B, and Best Jam Band along with three People’s Choice awards categories.
“It’s just a celebration of all of the music talent in this area,” said Carol Thoryk-O’Leary, one of six members of the Syracuse Area Music Awards Committee. The Committee organizes the SAMMYS each year and receives submissions from musicians in Syracuse and the central New York area. Music industry professionals and educators judge the submissions.
2019 SAMMYS Hall of Fame Recipient Scott Dixon has organized events such as the Sunday Night Music Series, a weekly showcase series that debuted in 1995 featuring local artists. Though he is now retired from organizing events, Dixon currently hosts Locals Only, a two-hour radio show featuring music only from central New York musicians. He said recognizing local artists is important for central New York music.
“I think it’s great that there’s an organization that brings attention to these upstart artists that are very proud of their community and are actively out there doing things within it,” said Dixon.
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Ish Guitars Owner Jesse Wilson (left), Local music organizer Scott Dixon (center), and SAMMYS Committee Member Carol Thoryk-O'Leary each contribute in multiple ways to promote local music and organize the Syracuse Area Music Awards. Dixon is one of four Hall of Fame recipients in the 2019 SAMMYS.
© 2019 Eric Moon
Ish Guitars Owner Jesse Wilson said his business is an official sponsor of the SAMMYS because he wants to help the awards continue to grow.
“It’s extremely important,” said Wilson. “The SAMMYS is a milestone event in Syracuse. It’s the Syracuse Grammys. It’s a big deal. Growing up in the music scene here, your buddy wins a SAMMY and it’s the coolest thing ever and you think of winning one one day.
“As soon as we opened here, I immediately started looking into how we could get more involved in it or how can we sponsor, help out, or help this event continue to go forward and be a major milestone in Syracuse.”
Award winners during the Hall of Fame dinner include the late Lou Reed posthumously receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award, presented to his wife and Grammy-winner Laurie Anderson and famous street musician Elijah Harris Jr. receiving the Founder’s Award. The awards ceremony will take place at the Palace Theater in downtown Syracuse Friday night.
