Syracuse Area Music Awards: How artists can enter to win CNY’s Grammys

If you’re a local musician, here’s your opportunity to be recognized for Central New York’s version of the Grammys.
The SAMMYS Board announced that submissions officially open for the 2025 Syracuse Area Music Awards on Dec. 1. Only commercially released albums or EPs, released between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2024, by artists in the Central New York area will be eligible.
The winners will be announced on Friday, March 7, 2025, at the SAMMYS Award Show at the Palace Theatre in Eastwood. The event will feature musical performances by local artists and the presentation of awards, including People’s Choice in four categories, the Brian Bourke Award for Best New Artist, the Jack O. Bocchino Spirit of the SAMMYS Award, and the SAMMYS Community Spirit Award.
The SAMMYS will also induct new members into the Syracuse Area Music Awards Hall of Fame at a dinner on Thursday, March 6, 2025, upstairs at Dinosaur Bar-B-Que.
Tickets for both events will be available in February.
Here’s how to submit your works for the 2025 SAMMYS (Syracuse Area Music Awards):
Recorded submissions must be submitted online via the SAMMYS Online entry form at syracuseareamusic.com/submissions between Dec. 1, 2024, and Jan. 3, 2025. Each artist must select one category to be judged in.
All recordings must be available on Apple Music, Spotify or Tidal. No physical recordings will be accepted. An independent panel of music industry professionals and educators from around the country will review the submissions and make their selections based on their merit within their genre.
For the 2025 People’s Choice awards, submissions will open Jan. 1, 2025, at syracuseareamusic.com/peopleschoice. The public is invited to nominate your favorite artist or band; event or music series; academic or musical organization; and venue to see live music.
The SAMMYS have recognized the best artists and albums from the Central New York music community since 1993. For more information, visit syracuseareamusic.com.
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