Editor's note: Dead Rose's Best Rock award for No Tomorrow was mistakenly left out of our listing of this year's awards.
It was as if the air of the 1960s and 1970s had wafted its way back to town during last week’s Syracuse New Times Syracuse Area Music Awards Show, aka the Sammys. Divided into two parts this time—a Hall of Fame reception at the Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, 246 E. Willow St., on June 4, and the annual award show at the Taste of Syracuse on June 5—musicians from the most pivotal epoch in Syracuse music history came together to reminisce, while simultaneously honoring and boosting those intrepid, new-to-the-scene players who are just beginning to carve out a niche.
Overwhelmingly, the crowd of 150 musicians, biz insiders and fans who packed the newly opened Upstairs at the Dinosaur shared in a warm feeling of comradery, the roots of which formed during the burgeoning of the rock scene in Syracuse. Six pivotal players from that era received Hall of Fame honors: folk and rock musician Donna Colton, the late rhythm’n’blues vocalist and drummer Otis Smith, former New Times editor-in-chief Mike Greenstein and rockers the Dean Brothers all were inducted into the Sammys’ Hall of Fame, while Carrie Pardee was given this year’s music educator award, and WCNY-FM 91.3 (Classic FM) jazz spinner Leo Rayhill served as the star of the show, receiving the Lifetime Achievement award.
Days of future passed: White Picket Fence (above) showed up in ball gowns to accept two Sammys prior to heading to their senior prom; Mike Greenstein (below, left) and Dave Rezak talk about the good ol’ days at the Sammys Hall of Fame reception.
Rayhill spoke about his 30-plus-years experience as the host of Sounds of Jazz, which airs every Sunday from 5 to 6 p.m. Particularly telling of Rayhill’s endearing candor, the deejay shared a story about the first celebrity interview he conducted for the station: a conversation with Louis Armstrong. Rayhill said that he was so nervous that Armstrong put forth a gracious gesture by helping Rayhill host the show that evening.
After thanking his wife and the supporters who have helped him through a nearly four-decade stretch in the radio business, Rayhill also recalled some of his favorite conversations on air with jazz greats, which include Count Basie, Eddie Condon and other jazz legends.
Original members of the 1960s and 1970s Rythmn’n’Blues band the All-Night Workers—Bill Elminger, Steve McCord and Herb Flower (who is also a retired percussionist for the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra)—then presented a posthumous Hall of Fame award to Dana Smith on behalf of her father, Otis Smith, the group’s larger-than-life vocalist.
All three bandmates expressed sentimental feelings about their compatriot, a musician who had palled around with Lou Reed and Bob Dylan during the heyday of his four-decade career. “He was our big brother,” Elminger explained. “Otis introduced us to more than music: He also introduced us to life.”
Furthermore, the group presented a written speech by Lloyd Baskins, the other most-principal musician of the All-Night Workers, who was unable to attend the award presentation. “Otis sang with his heart, whether it was blues, rock or other styles. Any awards he or his family receives on his behalf are deserved,” Baskins wrote. Both Dana Smith and local blues guitarist and vocalist Bobby Green, who was a friend of Otis Smith especially during the upstroke of the local doo-wop scene, were visibly moved by the kind words about a great man.
Morning jock “Big” Mike Fiss of WZUN-FM 102.1 (Sunny 102) then introduced Donna Colton to the stage prior to her acceptance of a Hall of Fame award. Colton thanked Fiss for being the deejay who first played many of her recordings on the radio, while simultaneously thanking her co-musician Sam Patterelli, with whom Colton shares many songwriting credits on her albums.
Former concert promoter and current Syracuse University professor Dave Rezak (he’s the guy who founded the DMR Booking Agency that is currently run by Stacey Waterman) then employed his clever wit to introduce Mike Greenstein to the stage. During Greenstein’s tenure at the Syracuse New Times he trained his focus on the local music scene, a fact that has led to the overwhelming acceptance of The New Times as the source for music news in the area since the 1970s.
Taking an eight-track cartridge out of his pocket, and then a cassette, Rezak recalled, “In the Syracuse of the late 1960s, there was no Twitter, texting or MySpace.” Rezak went on to explain that because of Greenstein the stories of untold scores of bands received credit and exposure in a way that they would never have been able to attain were it not for Greenstein’s passion for boosting the local, major dudes.” {Greenstein} proved that music journalists should not dwell in an ivory tower, but live among the members of the music scene.”
Fellow member of Swing Central, Carol Bryant, accepted the Hall of Fame Music Educator award on behalf of Carrie Pardee, reading a pleasant recap of Pardee’s longtime career as a music teacher for the Solvay District, as well as an accomplished vocalist who has performed on a variety of local stages, such as at the Syracuse Jazz Fest among others.
Rock vocalist and saxophonist Joe Whiting finally brought the evening to a climax by introducing the Dean Brothers, a harmony-centric band from the 1960s. Whiting served as a member of the band during its earliest years, but, he kidded, “For whatever reason, they’ve become even more popular since I left the band!”
Peter, Bob and John Dean, as well as bandmate and friend Holly Gregg, were on hand to accept the award, with John Dean exclaiming, “I’m just so freaked that all of you showed up here!” Indeed, dozens of fans and family members were on hand to shed adoration on the group that had nearly been signed to Columbia in the late 1970s.
Favorable sunny weather worked pleasantly as the backdrop the following day during the awards show at the Taste of Syracuse. The daylong festivities, which were hosted on the main stage of the food-sampler blowout, included performances by six local bands from noon to 6 p.m., while the dishing out of awards took place from 6 to 7:45 p.m.
Highlights from the day included a rousing, party-vibe set from The Action!, the climax to which was a cover of the Mighty Mighty Bosstones’ “The Impression That I Get.” Cliudan added ethnic spice to the show as a whole with traditional numbers like “Young Edward,” while later the Charley Orlando Band revealed the fruits of its recently released work (an independent album titled Free World Citizen). Orlando ramped his band into a euphoric trance with “Radiate,” while later giving bassist Max McKee and drummer Kiel Feher moments to shine.
Gregg Yeti delved into some of the best of his original tunes from his latest album (Heart Palpitations of the Rich and Famous), including “Laughter Be Your Slave,” and “The Erase Her Eraser.” Michael P. Ryan employed former Brand New Sin vocalist Joe Altier on keys for runs through “Hideaway” and other tunes from his acclaimed solo album Ride Out. Los Blancos, one the most popular, hard-working and enduring bands in the area, warmed up the crowd for the beginning of the award show itself.
That show featured a gaggle of memorable moments, closing a year’s worth of work from the area’s top players. Each year, the Sammys gives out album awards in categories arranged by genre, as well as a Brian Bourke Award for Best New Artist and People’s Choice awards for Best Band, Best Live Band and Best Venue, which were selected by popular vote via the Sammys’ Web site, www.syracuseareamusic.com. Album awards were judged by a third-party committee led by Le Moyne College’s music department chair, Andrew Russo.
Fiss emceed the event, beginning with a call for blues vocalist Carolyn Kelly to accept an unprecedented proclamation from state Sen. John A. DeFrancisco that honored the late Roosevelt Dean, a well-regarded blues guitarist who passed away this year. DeFrancisco went on to present this year’s Best Jazz award to Evan Knight, explaining to the crowd that both he and Knight took saxophone lessons from the same teacher: Sammys Hall of Famer Jerry Santy.
Undoubtedly the stars of the evening, teen indie rockers White Picket Fence showed up in formal ball attire to accept two awards for Best Pop album as well as Best New Artist. The group, which encompasses members Ryan Chapman, Kelly Clancy, Garrett Koloski, Logan Messina and frontwoman Elise Miklich, were on their way to their senior prom after the show, although Miklich explained that they were thoroughly stoked about the nods of approval.
Three touching performances were spliced into the presentation of awards (see accompanying list for complete winners). Donna Colton brought songwriting partner Sam Patterelli in addition to Tom Hillenbrand and Cathy LaManna on stage as the evening’s version of the Troublemakers, a band through which Colton has pioneered her powerful vocal style.
Colton incanted the spirit of Janis Joplin, who cleared the way for female rock musicians during the 1960s, with a rendition of “Piece of My Heart.” The consummate local vocalist also went on to perform songs drawing on the successful experience she’s had with her latest album, Tryst.
The Dean Brothers brought their Beatlemania-like fans to hear recaps of their hits, such as “Sell My Misery” and “Who Are You?” Clearly worked up about the opportunity to reunite (the performance was one of the few reunions the group has had since officially splitting in 1979), the bros let Crosby, Stills and Nash-like vocal harmonies resound through the air of the Taste of Syracuse.
The members of the All-Night Workers who were present during the previous night’s ceremony were then also on hand to pay homage to their fallen brother as the climactic finish to the Sammys. The group, which also included blues guitarists Mark Hoffmann and Bobby Green, as well as vocalist Gary Branch, recalled the most soulful years of the music industry with “My Girl,” made famous by the Temptations, and “Walking the Dog,” originally penned by Rufus Thomas.
The only major snafu to take place during the show (past Sammys have had their share) was a missing parade of the current year’s Hall of Famers on stage, which had been planned to take place. According to president Liz Nowak, the lack was due to an unfortunate amount of miscommunication between the Hall of Famers and the Sammys organizers on hand at the award show.
Regardless, the event as a whole was a stupendous thank you to local musicians for their year’s work, and featured high moments, as well as a healthy amount of true-life social networking, that was invaluable to the determined constituents of Syracuse music.
Almost famous: The Fabulous Ripcords were on hand during this year’s Syracuse New Times Sammys to accept the Best Americana award.
Syracuse Mayor Matt Driscoll and News 10 Now staffer Lacey Johnson present the award for Best Country.
Maria DeSantis (left) and Linda and state Sen. John DeFrancisco shared in the warm vibes of this year’s Hall of Fame reception.
The Lost Horizon took this year’s People’s Choice Award for Best Venue.
The Dean Brothers sparked screams from their loyal fans during their reunion at the Sammys.
Summer of Sammys: New Times publisher Art Zimmer (left) presented the Lifetime Achievement award to jazz deejay Leo Rayhill.
Donna Colton rocks the crowd during her performance at the Sammys Award Show.
Members of Fritz’s Polka Band (who are apparently as hardcore about polka as they are about Jagermeister and Motley Crue) accepted their award for Best Recording Other Styles.
The J Project took the honor for Best Rhythm’n’Blues.
Dana Smith accepts a Hall of Fame award on behalf of her father, Otis Smith; Melissa Midgley and state Sen. John A. DeFrancisco present a Sammy at the awards show; Carolyn Kelly multiple accepts honors at the Sammys.
