A packed house of 650 gathered for the show at Eastwood's Palace Theatre on Friday, March 8. Outfits of all kinds came through the doors: floor-length gowns, furs, hats and heels, and the lobby was lively, loud and full by the time the show was about to begin at 7 p.m.
The emcee of the night, Skip Murphy, was greeted by a huge round of applause, doubtlessly led by many who remembered him as the charming and lively host of the 2011 Sammy Awards show. He was recognized along with his fellow 2013 Hall of Fame inductees: Scott Sterling, Willie "Taters" Mavins, The Seven, John Dancks, Jim Spadafore and the late Jimmy Van Heusen, who had been formally inducted the night before at Upstairs at the Dinosaur.
The ceremony then took a reverent turn as two monumentally important figures of the Syracuse music scene were honored with the Founders Award: former Post-Standard music writer Mark Bialczak and former Syracuse New Times editor-in-chief Molly English-Bowers, with 25 years at the paper, 13 as editor.
Jazz Fest Director Frank Malfitano, who founded the Sammys in 1992, couldn't present the awards himself, as he was hosting the James Carter Organ Trio at Onondaga Community College that night. But the awards were appropriately presented by the only other recipient of the award in the event's 20-year history: WSYR-Channel 9's Tim Fox. He shared some of Malfitano's moving words:
"I feel it's very important to bring the Founders Award back," Fox read. "And to recognize two voices that have been uncomfortably quiet {for the past few months}." He went on, "If it wasn't for their endless devotion, there would be no music scene. There is no one thing that can match what they've given us."
English-Bowers and Bialczak accepted the much-deserved recognition for their contributions to the cultivation of a scene that thrives most when proper attention is paid to it. Bialczak thanked the crowd clapping for him as he spoke, "because, after all, a writer is only as good as his story."
Ted Long and Amy Robbins, the morning-drive co-hosts on WNTQ-FM 93.1 (93Q), were the first celebrity presenters of the night. They joked about how having Dave Frisina, longtime host of the local music show Soundcheck, boosted their music scene cred and about presenting the Best Country award.
"We don't usually play country unless Pitbull does a rap in the middle," they laughed.
The night rolled along as winners claimed their prizes and comedic combinations of presenters figured out clever ways to introduce nominees and winners. Stand-out partnerships included the unlikely mix of two musicians, bluegrass veteran Bill Knowlton and rock/pop vintage-clad Ashley Cox, who presented the best hip-hop/rap award. The duo had the crowd rolling thanks to their unexpected killer combination, especially as Cox teased, "It smells like weed up here."
Julie Briggs, of Red Shoes Marketing, and SyracuseFirst's Chris Fowler (who introduced best R&B) also stood out as Fowler, on a more serious note, spoke about the importance of music in the cultural community and how crucial the arts are to the quality of life in Syracuse.
The performers of the night proved that point beautifully. The VanNorstrand Brothers delivered an impeccable set that showed off their raw instrumental talent and beautiful harmonies. Soul Risin' impressed with their tight delivery and powerful songs, but really caught the crowd off-guard when lead singer, songwriter and guitarist Bryan Weinsztok broke out the conch shell for a romping solo. The Paul Case Band showed the young guns how it's done with an amazing set mixing blues, reggae and blistering dirty blues vocals.
And Sophistafunk blew the roof off when they finally got the house on their feet and dancing. Audience members of all ages gathered right up at the edge of the stage to move wildly to the solid set of devastating funk delivered by keys player Adam Gold, drummer Emmanuel Washington and lyricist Jack Brown.
Finally, Murphy's longtime band Out of the Blue, with special guests Willie "Taters" Mavins and Colin Aberdeen of Los Blancos, took the crowd to church with a moving and chill-inducing take on "I Shall Be Released," which Mavins performed (also with Aberdeen) at Salt City's version of "The Last Waltz" in November 2012.
Although
people tend to think of awards shows as events where winners and losers
emerge, there seemed to be a more wide-reaching feel to the 2013
Sammys. Hugs were exchanged between musicians of all types; some that
were competing against each other or rooting for each other in different
groups. Bands spoke graciously upon receiving their awards, not only
thanking their fans, but also thanking the other bands in the music
community. Mandate of Heaven, winner of best modern rock, even
encouraged the crowd to listen to the bands they had competed against
for the award: Black Throat Wind and Ohne Ka and the Burning River.
Winners of the Brian Bourke Award for best new artist, The Vanderbuilts, also summed it up well: "We went from a college band to a band from Syracuse," they explained. "We're proud to call ourselves a band from Syracuse."
The night ended on a high note. The appreciation and love of the scene was powerful and palpable. Sammys President Liz Nowak recognized the feeling, too.
"It was a very special time enjoyed by so many," she said. "It was heartwarming to see our scene come together and celebrate each other."
If
there was ever a doubt of what the Syracuse music scene has to offer,
the awards show helped quell those uncertainties. There's a scene that's
alive and well, creating and coming together, keeping in balance the
new musicmakers and the longtime pros. The 2013 Sammy Awards had
everyone going home feeling like they are a part of something great.
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