The 2026 Syracuse Area Music Award Nominees and Hall of Fame Inductees were announced Tuesday February 3rd. Congratulations to the 56 SAMMY Nominees in 13 categories, and six Hall of Fame Inductees!
SAMMY awards are given based on the judgment of submissions sent to The SAMMYS Board by musicians in Syracuse and the surrounding area. Congratulations to the 212 artists that submitted 279 recordings! An independent panel of music industry professionals and educators from around the country, led by Jim Elenteny, reviewed the submissions and made their selections based on their merit within their genre.
The complete list of 2026 Nominations and Inductees is available below. A Press Kit is also available, which includes bios and photos of the Hall of Fame Inductees and special award recipients.
A complete list of all previous SAMMY winners can be found on our Past Recipients page.
And the nominees are…
Best Jazz
Bob Holz
Honoring Larry Coryell
Cheri Giraud
All My Tomorrows
Jeff Martin
Roots & Legacy
Jesse Collins Quartet
Soul Eyes
Salt City Voices 2025
Sweet Happy Life
Best Americana
Autumn Sun
Autumn Sun
Cielle On Solid Ground
Cielle On Solid Ground: 3 Song EP
Golden Soul Revue
Golden Soul Revue
J. Schnitt & the Colluders
Use Your Collusion
Jessie Elizabeth
To Go and Grow
Best Other Style
Grupo Pagán
POWER
Jeff Tripoli
Natural Habitat
Pocket Bandits
Nine by Pocket Bandits
Tom Rasely
Gallery
Best Jam Band
One Man. The Band
Peaks and Valleys
Slug
25
Tim Herron and the Great Blue
Lift That Stone
Transient Kicks
Begin Again
Vaporeyes
Still
Best Pop
Dan Volpe and the Drifters
Favorite Records
The Jess Novak Band
Tattoo
PHEN
KID
Best Rock
4 Word Days
Just a Dragonfly
Dylan Michael
Lorem Ipsum
The Penetrators
High School Memories
Plastic Sunface
Good Intentions
violet.
with love.
Best Hard Rock
Design/Fracture
ACCOUNTABLE
Masons Revolt
Camp
Sent From Beyond
Anaconda Da Vida
VØID EMPERØR
Marauders
With Teeth
1001
Best R&B
E Washington
Patiently Waiting
Tyjhier
Bloom Where You’re Planted
Best Hip-Hop or Rap
Amier
Into the Abyss
Christenelle Diroc
The Cancer They Found 722
Christenelle Diroc
The Last Son
ENAJYRAM
Gas Can & Match: The Final Chapter
Trappin Quik
I95 MUZIK
Best Blues
The Shylocks
“A Highfalutin’ Blues Bender II” LIVE
Todd Shuffler with Mark Doyle and the Maniacs
Stoned and Lonesome, a Celebration of The Rolling Stones – Early Years
Best Alternative
Boustrophedon
WINTER // STEEL (Remixes)
Clove
after everything
mistrials
The Culture Cool-Aid EP
Porch Couch
Free
Tame The Giant
Second Hand Sound
Best Country
Christian Parker, Earl Poole Ball, Patrick Cleary
American Cosmic Revival, Vol. 1: Back At Home (feat. Jaydee Maness)
The Dust Devil Band
Better With Age
The Endless Mountain Derelicts
Life Moves Fast
Harvey Fonda
Guild Songs
Jon Rogalia Ft. Whiskey Hollow Rush
This Side Of Heaven
Best Single
AK Kastro
Played Like A Fool
Atlantus
Tired of running
Brandon Gambill
Craving
SAME HUSTLE D-ROC
DO SHE LOVE ME
Zak G
Lines (Made To Be)
Additional Awards
Susan Coleman
Jack O Bocchino Spirit of the Sammys Award
Jeremy Kennedy
Brian Bourke Award for Best New Artist
Karen Mihalyi
Community Spirit Award
Hall of Fame
Ian Cattell
New York Flyers
Don and Dave Martin
Erin Althen
Music Educator of the Year
Music Center
Lifetime Achievement
Supporting Sponsors
The SAMMYS is proud to recognize our supporting sponsors: Bridge Street, KMASE Productions, Joshua Johnson Design, Skinner & Associates Realty, Copper City Brewing Co., Meier’s Creek Brewing Co., NewsChannel 9, 315 Music, Soulshine Radio, Middle Ages Brewing, FE FE Entertainment, 92.1 The WOLF, 96.5/100.3 The BEAT and 94.1/95.3 The Dinosaur.