The Syracuse Area Music Awards announces James Austin as their new Director
Since 2004, James Austin has been an active and influential presence in the Syracuse music community, building a career rooted in artist development, music advocacy, and community engagement. He began his journey in hip-hop with Rollock Family Entertainment, where he developed a foundation in grassroots promotion and artist support.
In 2009, he joined FE FE Entertainment LLC / Palm Tree Records, taking on roles in marketing, promotions, and artist management. Through this work, he has supported both local and international artists across R&B, Reggae, and Jazz, with a focus on increasing visibility, expanding audiences, and fostering long-term artist growth.
Committed to education and industry access, he founded the Southwest Music Seminar in 2013, creating a platform to provide music industry knowledge and professional development opportunities to local creatives. From 2015 to 2017, he co-hosted *Live From The Box*, a weekly radio program highlighting music written, produced, and performed by Central New York artists. In 2015, the program was recognized by Syracuse.com as part of a list celebrating local innovators.
He was previously an active member of the Recording Academy (Philadelphia Chapter) and attended the 59th Annual Grammy Awards in 2017. After submitting two projects for consideration, he gained firsthand insight into the Grammy submission and voting process. That same year, he served as a contributing songwriter on a Best R&B SAMMYS-winning album.
Since 2018, he has served on the Board of the Syracuse Area Music Awards (SAMMYS), where he has overseen merchandise operations, supported event logistics, and helped maintain the organization’s visibility throughout awards season. A longtime attendee of the SAMMYS, he has interviewed artists during the past ceremonies and co-hosted the 2020 Awards Show. His sustained involvement has given him a comprehensive understanding of the event’s operation.