Syracuse Ska Forum

Syracuse Area Music Awards announces nominations, Hall of Fame inductees

Posted by Mark Bialczak/The Post-Standard May 13, 2009 11:30AM

Three of the four members of the Dean Brothers stood mingling at Jazz Central this morning. Bob and Peter Dean and Holly Gregg couldn't stop smiling.

They'd just witnessed the official announcement that they and brother Berto Dean will be inducted into the Syracuse Area Music Awards Hall of Fame this year.

"We're finally famous," Bob Dean said, grinning all the way.

Of course, an earlier generation of Central New Yorkers would say that was the case in the 1970s, when the men from Skaneateles were writing songs and playing gigs like they were on fire.

The Dean Brothers will share the induction honors with singer-songwriter Donna Colton, journalist Mike Greenstein and the late Otis Smith, of Otis Smith and the All-Night Workers. Carrie Pardee of Solvay High School will be this year's music educator earning induction.

Jazz disc jockey Leo Rayhill will receive the Syracuse New Times Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Syracuse New Times Syracuse Area Music Awards
When: Friday, June 5.
Where: Taste of Syracuse main stage, Franklin and Washington streets.
Admission: Free.

Nominees for best-of CDs
Hip-hop/Rap -- Wood Fellas, Sam Gotti, RayWellz, The Kid Fresh.
Country -- The Fulton Chain Gang, Loren Barrigar.
Jazz -- Evan Knight, Julie Falatico, Jane Murlin.
R 'n' B -- The J Project featuring Angela Lynn.
Alternative/New rock/Metal -- The Action!, Wishpool, From Ruins, Control Escape, Titanium Black.
Other styles -- Kevin Dorsey, Fritz's Polka Band, Jamie Notarthomas Band, Kh'Mi, Bob Piorun.
Blues -- Jimmy Wolf, The Jam Bones, Double Barrel Blues Band, Carolyn Kelly and the Roosevelt Dean Band.
Rock -- Dead Rose, Never Seen, Jon Ellis Stevens and the N.Y. All-Stars, Michael P. Ryan, Silent Fury.
Americana (formerly Folk/Bluegrass) -- Fabulous Ripcords, Joanne Shenandoah and Michael Bucher, Mark Zane, Kim Simmonds, Folkstrings.
Pop -- Big Mike's Christmastime in Syracuse Vol. 14, Jackson's Kid Summer, Willowmakers, Christopher Ames, Jason Bean.

Hall of Fame Inductees: Donna Colton, The Dean Brothers, Otis Smith, Mike Greenstein and Carrie Pardee. There will be a Hall of Fame reception June 4 at Upstairs at the Dinosaur. Hall of fame members have received an invitation; others can buy tickets, at $20, by contacting Debbie Foley at 315-727-1718.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Leo Rayhill.

Brian Bourke Award for Best New Artist and People's Choice Awards: These will be announced at the Sammys ceremonies.