Central New York Music Community Shines at 2026 SAMMYS

Lights shined brightly on the Central New York music community on Friday, March 6 as the 2026 edition of the Syracuse Area Music Awards (SAMMYS) took place at the Palace Theatre in Syracuse.

London McDaniel and the Plan Z perform at the 2026 Syracuse Area Music Awards.

Launched in 1993, the annual celebration kicked off on March 5 with the Hall of Fame induction dinner at Middle Ages Brewing Company. This year’s honorees included Ian Cattell, New York Flyers, Don and Dave Martin, Erin Althen (Music Educator of the Year), and the Music Center (Lifetime Achievement).

Ian Cattell was inducted into the Syracuse Area Music Hall of Fame on March 5.

Friday’s awards ceremony was hosted by local news anchor and longtime community supporter Tim Fox and began with a spirited performance by Brass Inc. The nine-piece horn based band serenaded attendees as they arrived and made their way to their seats, performing classic tracks such as “Rosanna” by Toto and “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees.

PHEN accepts the award for Best Pop at the 2026 SAMMYS

With attendees now seated, the SAMMYS began to present awards in 21 categories. Among this year’s winners were Cheri Giraud (Best Jazz), Vaporeyes (Best Jam Band), PHEN (Best Pop), and Tyjhier (Best R&B). The awards were handed out by a slew of celebrity presenters, including Syracuse Mayor Sharon Owens, Steven Page (formerly of Barenaked Ladies), and local funk masters Sophistafunk.

The New York Flyers perform at the 2026 SAMMYS

Between awards, the area’s diverse music scene was on display, with performances by Stephen Douglas Wolfe, London McDaniel and Plan Z, Nate Gross Band, and new Hall of Fame members, the New York Flyers.

Geoff Herbert accepts the Founder’s Award at the 2026 SAMMYS.

Throughout the evening the SAMMYS paid honor to some of the most impactful and influential members of the Syracuse music community. Long time music journalist Geoff Herbert received the Founder’s Award, one of the committee’s highest honors. Herbert, known to the music scene as “Deaf Geoff” due to profound hearing loss which occurred at birth, has covered an wide array of music during his time with Syracuse.com and as a DJ with Z89.

Additional honorees included Jeremy Kennedy (Brian Bourke Award for Best New Artist), Karen Mihalyi (Community Spirit Award), and Susan Coleman (Spirit of the SAMMYS).

Retiring SAMMYS director Liz Nowak at the 2026 SAMMYS

The most stunning tribute came midway through the evening, as the SAMMYs board members went off script and took to the stage, along with Syracuse mayor Sharon Owens, to honor retiring SAMMYS Director, Liz Nowak. Nowak, who served on the committee for 35 years, was largely responsible for growing the awards ceremony from an idea on a sheet of paper into the powerful and impactful annual event that it is today. She fought back tears as she received a proclamation from the Mayor and as the audience was informed that March 6, 2026 would be known as Liz Nowak Appreciation Day. Later in the evening, current board member James Austin was introduced as incoming director, and he vowed to carry forward Nowak’s vision.

2026 SAMMY Award Recipients

Best Jazz – Cheri Giraud, All My Tomorrows

Best Americana – Autumn Sun, Autumn Sun

Best Other Style – Groupo Pagan, POWER

Best Jam Band – Vaporeyes, Still

Best Pop – PHEN, Kid

Best Hard Rock – Design/Fracture, Accountable

Best Blues – Todd Shuffler with Mark Doyle and the Maniacs, Stoned and Lonesome, a Celebration of The Rolling Stones

Best R&B – Tyjhier, “Bloom Where You Were Planted”

Best Alternative – Tame the Giant, Second Hand Sound

Best Country – Jon Rogalia Ft. Whiskey Hollow Rush, This Side of Heaven

Best Rock – violet., with love