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The SAMMY's names 2025 nominees

Members of local 80's band Alecstar at SubCat studios.
John Smith / WAER News
Members of local 80's band Alecstar bassist and vocalist Jack Murray and longtime booking manager Dan Christy.

Central New York music fans, The Syracuse Area Music Awards; better known as the SAMMY’s, has announced its list of 2024 nominees. This year, there are 51 nominees spread across 13 music genres. One of the groups entering the Hall of Fame is Alecstar. The band formed in 1979 and released its first album in 1982. Bassist and vocalist Jack Murray said they loved connecting with live audiences.

“As far as like, you know, writing original music, we recorded over 40 original songs in the 80’s and we got some airplay. The 80’s was a great time for live rock 'n' roll,” he said.

The band opened for many national recording acts of the time… including Boston, Eddie Money, Pat Benatar and The Guess Who. They’ll reunite for the first time since 2009 at the SAMMY’s next month. The Hall of Famers and nominees were announced at SubCat Studios in Syracuse. Anthony Saturno provided a live acoustic set. He plays with several bands including Jess Novak who is nominated for Best Pop this year.

Singer songwriter Anthony Saturno played an acoustic set of songs at the announcements of SAMMY's 2025 nominees at SubCat Studios.
John Smith / WAER News
Singer songwriter Anthony Saturno played an acoustic set of songs at the announcements of SAMMY's 2025 nominees at SubCat Studios.

“What keeps me going is writing new songs… like there’s always something to learn, there’s always a new artist popping-up and they give me inspiration to write something knew to kind of like mix genres together,” he said.

The SAMMY’s is set for Friday, March 7th at the Palace Theater in Eastwood at 7 PM. Click here to view the nominees.

John Smith has been waking up WAER listeners for a long time as our Local Co-Host of Morning Edition with timely news and information, working alongside student Sportscasters from the Newhouse School.