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In his own, individual way, Skip Murphy has become quite the man about town. Whether he’s leading an all-star band, playing Shifty’s on a Sunday afternoon, fronting the latest Michael Davis group of B-3 organ all-stars at the annual Hammond Jammin’, or emceeing the Syracuse Area Music Awards (Sammys), Murphy seems to be all over the place. Well, the harmonica blower extraordinaire can now add one more accolade to his long resume: Sammys Hall of Fame member.
It’s Sammys season in Syracuse. The nearly annual lovefest to local music in Syracuse is gearing up for its 19th incarnation. The first order of business took place Monday, Feb. 11, at the Redhouse Café. Hall of Fame inductees and award nominees were announced during a conference, presided over by Scott Dixon, co-manager of the Lost Horizon.
Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner made a surprise appearance and lent the gathering an official aura. “Cities are vibrant because of {their} artists, and we would not be the kind of community that we are without your talent,” she told those in attendance.
And vibrant certainly fits this year’s class of hall-of-famers. The class of 2013’s group of strident, scene-building musicians includes John Dancks, Willie “Tater” Mavins, Skip Murphy, Scott Sterling and The Seven.
John Dancks’ career spans 50 years. During the late 1960s Dancks played guitar at Cap’n Mac’s Clam Snug, where he discovered the Down City Ramblers, an influential Syracuse-area bluegrass band. Dancks also has a lengthy sessions résumé, which includes studio work at both local and national recording labels.
Sixteen-year-old Willie “Tater” Mavins moved to Syracuse from South Carolina in 1959. Over the years he’s established himself as an important figure within the local music community, most notably as emcee at the bygone Marshall Street hangout The Orange Grove. Miner has proclaimed March 1 as Willie “Tater” Mavins Recognition Day.
A slick blues harpist with a gift for gab, Skip Murphy was
made for the Sammys Hall of Fame. After an early-1970s encounter with
the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Murphy began playing harmonica. He went
on to form Out of the Blue in 1977. The band toured internationally and
put out one album, Catch the Buzz (Good Vibes Records). Since
the mid-1980s, Murphy has managed various concerts and festivals in and
around Syracuse, including a stint at Chevy Court during the New York
State Fair. And he spent some time contributing basketball articles to
the Syracuse New Times.
At age 13 Scott Sterling started playing in bands. The New Hope, Penn., native moved to Syracuse in 1979 and went on to sling guitar for groups like Natives and Rockin’ Bones. Sterling later booked shows and ran production and sound at the Lost Horizon. He’s now the musical director at Syracuse’s Dinosaur Bar-B-Que. “Scott’s the keeper of the vibe,” said Scott Dixon.
Composed of Tony Licameli, Chuck Mellone, Al Ruscito, Nick Russo, Chuck and Frank Sgroi and Chuck Wheeler, The Seven enjoyed national success and a recording deal at Rochester-based Transcontinental Records between 1969 and 1972. The group’s 1970 cover of the Zombies’ “Tell Her No” hung onto the WOLF-AM Radio charts for 10 weeks.
Dixon also announced that Jim Spadafore, retired Liverpool Central School District music teacher, will receive Music Educator of the Year while songwriter Jimmy Van Heusen will be the latest Lifetime Achievement Award winner.
The Sammys Hall of Fame induction ceremony kicks off two days of honoring Syracuse music on Thursday, March 7, at 7 p.m. Upstairs at the Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, 246 W. Willow St. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by calling 247-1718.
The Sammys awards ceremony is Friday, March 8, at the
Palace Theatre, 2384 James St. Tickets cost $20 and are available at
syracuseareamusic.com.
