Albany based jam band Hilltop have announced their newest spring tour, taking place across New York and the New England area.
Hilltop, who recently too part in NYS Music’s March Madness 2023, are already starting to grow their own dedicated fanbase and now they are looking to expand that. Coming off another succesful show at the Parish Public House in their home town, Hilltop looks forward to bringing their music to audiences across the northeast.
Inspired by legendary acts like Phish and The Grateful Dead, Hilltop combines original music, iconic covers, and musical improvisation to create an unforgettable experience for their audience.
With over 100 shows under their belt, Hilltop shows no signs of slowing down. The band, consiting of brothers Stephen & Reid Perry, and their friends Aris Nieuwkerk and Dave Klang, have also performed at festivals in Lake George as well as Catskill Mountain Jubilee last August.
On tour, Hilltop will be joined by area favorites The Apollos, Vertices, as well as supporting The Chops and Seapods ft. Al Schneir. The tour will take stop at New York venues including The Monopole, Brooklyn Music Kitchen and Funk N Waffles, interlaced with vibrant New England shows.
For more information, please visit Hilltop’s website.
Hilltop 2023 Spring Tour
3/23 – Zenbarn – Waterbury, VT (w.s.g. The Apollos) 3/24 – Sawtooth Kitchen – Hanover, NH 3/25 – The Monopole – Plattsburgh NY 3/31 – Brooklyn Music Kitchen – Brooklyn, NY 4/1 – Midway Cafe – Boston, MA (supporting the Chops) 4/6 – Stella Blues – New Haven, CT 5/12 – Funk N Waffles – Syracuse, NY (supporting Seapods ft. Al Schneir) 5/13 – Parish Public House – Albany, NY (w.s.g. Vertices)
Sam Hunt is a five-time GRAMMY-nominated, multi-Platinum-selling, hitmaker. The young star allures fans with his melodic country voice and artistic blend of Pop/R&B. In 2020, his sophomore album Southside landed No. 1 on the BillboardCountry Albums chart and was named one of the Best Albums of the Year by The New York Times and US Weekly. Furthermore, Hunt has accumulated over 13 billion global streams and has earned 43 million RIAA certified units from his self-written tracks, “Body Like A Back Road”, “Kinfolks,” “Breaking Up Was Easy in the 90’s”, and more.
Brent Young has captured the hearts of fans everywhere through his honest lyrics and West Coast-meets-Southern sound. He has cemented his status as Country’s master over matters of the heart with two albums and platinum tracks such as, “In Case You Didn’t Know”, “Mercy”, “Sleep Without You”, “Here Tonight”, and more. Young’s project “Weekends Look A Little Different These Day” highlights his broadened emotional scope with lyrics inspired by his debut children’s book “Love You, Little Lady”.
The trailblazing Lily Rose will also join Sam Hunt and Brent Young on tour. Rose’s fresh perspective and forward-looking sound led to her nomination for ACM Best New Female Artist and recognition for Outstanding Breakthrough Artist at the 2022 GLAAD Media Award. Her debut album “Villain” introduced fans to her bold mix of personal lyricism and distinctive language, that merges Country confessions with Hip-Hop beats and R&B flow.
Verizon will offer customers an exclusive presale for Sam Hunt’s Summer On The Outskirts 2023 tour through Verizon Up. From March 7 at 10 am until March 9 at 10 am, customers will have exclusive access to purchase presale tickets. For more details visit here. More information on Sam Hunt can be accessed here.
Sam Hunt’s Summer on the Outskirts Tour 2023 Dates:
July 6 – Hartford, CT – Xfinity Theatre
July 7 – Gilford, NH – Bank of NH Pavilion
July 8 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
July 14 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
July 15 – Darien Center, NY – Darien Lake Amphitheater
July 16 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
July 20 – Brandon, MS – Brandon Amphitheater
July 21 – Orange Beach, AL – The Wharf Amphitheater *
July 22 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
July 27 – Detroit, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre
July 28 – Indianapolis, IN – Ruoff Music Center
July 29 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Aug 3 – Carbondale, IL – Southern Illinois University-SIU Banterra Center**^
Aug 4 – Bonner Springs, KS – Azura Amphitheater ^
Aug 5 – Oklahoma City, OK – The Zoo Amphitheatre ^
Aug 11 – Irvine, CA – FivePoint Amphitheatre
Aug 12 – Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
Aug 13 – Stateline, NV – Lake Tahoe Harveys Outdoor Arena ^
Aug 18 – Houston, TX – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman***
Aug 19 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion
Aug 20 – Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP
Aug 24 – Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
Aug 25 – Syracuse, NY – St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview
Aug 26 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway
Sep 7 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
Sep 8 – Atlanta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
Sep 9 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
Grammy and Academy Award-nominated rock band Counting Crows are scheduled to tour this summer with Dashboard Confessional, performing at five amphitheaters in New York.
Formed in San Francisco, Counting Crows’ career spans seven studio albums over nearly three decades. The band’s debut studio album, August and Everything After, was released in Sept. 1993 and peaked at number four on the Billboard 200 weekly chart. They found further success when their 1996 second studio album, Recovering the Satellites, peaked at number 1 on the Billboard 200 weekly chart. Their music has been prominently featured in pop culture, including “Colorblind”, from their 1999 third album This Dessert Life, being included in the soundtrack for the 1999 film Cruel Intentions. Their seventh studio album, Somewhere Under Wonderland, was released in 2014, and their newest EP, Butter Miracle, was released in 2021.
Dashboard Confessional
Rock band Dashboard Confessional originated in Boca Raton, Florida, and is led by singer Chris Carrabba. Their debut album, The Swiss Army Romance, was released in March 2000. They released their ninth album, All The Truth That I Can Tell, in 2022, touring with fellow rock band Jimmy Eat World in support of the album on the “Surviving the Truth” tour. The band has a long history with Counting Crows, first meeting in 2003 at the 17th annual Bridge School Benefit Concert. In the nearly 20 years since they have formed both a professional and personal relationship together.
Presale for Counting Crows’ tour with Dashboard confessional, which has five shows at New York amphitheatre venues, begins Tuesday, March 14 in select markets. General on-sale begins Friday, March 17 at 10 a.m. For additional information, follow Counting Crows on Facebook and Instagram.
Counting Crows with Dashboard Confessional ‘Banshee Season’ 2023 Tour Dates
June 13 Omaha, NE Steelhouse Omaha*
June 17 Indianapolis. IN TCU Amphitheater at Winter River State Park
June 18 Cincinnati, OH PNC Pavilion
June 21 Milwaukee, WI Miller High Life Theatre
June 23 Highland Park, IL Ravinia Festival (On-sale May 1)
June 24 Sterling Heights, MI Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill
June 26 Moon Twp, PA UPMC Events Center
June 28 Niagara Falls, ON OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino
June 29 Northfield, OH MGM Northfield Park
July 1 Syracuse, NY St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview
July 2 Canandaigua, NY CMAC
July 5 Saratoga Springs, NY Saratoga Performing Arts Center
July 6 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center
July 8 Wantagh, NY Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
July 9 Bethel, NY Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
July 12 Columbia, MD Merriweather Post Pavilion
July 14 Gilford, NH Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion
July 15 Boston, MA Leader Bank Pavilion
July 18 Providence, RI Providence Performing Arts Center
July 19 Bridgeport, CT Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater
July 21 Bethlehem, PA Wind Creek Event Center
July 22 Atlantic City, NJ Borgata Event Center
July 25 Selbyville, DE Freeman Arts Pavilion (On-Sale March 24)
July 26 Doswell, VA The Meadow Event Park
July 28 Virginia Beach, VA Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach
July 29 Raleigh, NC Red Hat Amphitheater
August 1 Charlotte, NC Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre
August 2 Charleston, SC Credit One Stadium
August 4 Fort Myers, FL Suncoast Credit Union Arena
August 5 Fort Lauderdale, FL Hard Rock Live
August 8 St Augustine, FL The St. Augustine Amphitheatre
August 9 Tampa, FL MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre
August 11 Alpharetta, GA Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
August 12 Albertville, AL Sand Mountain Amphitheater
August 14 Nashville, TN Grand Ole Opry
August 18 New Orleans, LA Saenger Theatre
August 19 Sugar Land, TX Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land
August 22 San Antonio, TX Majestic Theatre
August 23 Irving, TX The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
August 25 Norman, OK Riverwind Casino*
August 26 Tulsa, OK The Cove*
August 30 Highland, CA Yaamavaâ Theater** (On- Sale March 20)
August 31 Phoenix, AZ Arizona Financial Theatre**
September 2 Las Vegas, NV Pearl Theater**
September 3 San Diego, CA The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park** (On-Sale May 2)
September 6 Los Angeles, CA YouTube Theater
September 8 Lincoln, CA The Venue at Thunder Valley
September 10 Berkeley, CA The Greek Theatre
September 13 Airway Heights, WA BECU Live Outdoor Venue
September 14 Bend, OR Hayden Homes Amphitheater
September 16 Seattle, WA TBD (On-Sale TBD)
September 17 Seattle, WA TBD (On-Sale TBD)
September 19 Bonner, MT KettleHouse Amphitheater
September 21 Boise, ID Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater
September 22 Salt Lake City, UT USANA Amphitheatre
The Syracuse Jazz Festival announced that for the 37th edition of the festival legendary keyboardist, NEA Jazz Master, and 14-time Grammy winner Herbie Hancock will join 7-time Grammy winner and 2022 Kennedy Center Honoree Gladys Knight to coheadline.
M&T Jazz Fest 2016 at Onondaga Community College, Saturday, July 2, 2016. Ellen M. Blalock
The very popular Syracuse Jazz Festival extends to five days at over 30 venues, featuring over 30 performers including ten national and international touring & recording artists. The festival kicks off on the evening of June 21, featuring 24 indoor and outdoor club performances at two dozen downtown clubs, bars, and restaurants with Syracuse region’s top jazz artists from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. The Late Night New York Band features bassist Tom Brigandi, trumpeter Joe Magnarelli, and saxophonist Eric Alexander, performing Wednesday along with Hall Of Fame vocalist Ronnie Leigh. Shows for the festival run from either 4-6 p.m., 5-7 p.m., 6-8 p.m., 7-9 p.m., 8-10 p.m., or 9-11 p.m.
Other artists performing on June 21 include the Marissa Mulder Duo, Michael Houston / Sam Wynn Project, Vibe Check featuring Melissa Gardiner, Dayquan Bowens & Kenyatta King, Longwood Jazz Project, Bob Holz & A Vision Forward, Nancy Kelly, Joyce DiCamillo Trio, E.S.P. Jazz Group, Funky Jazz Band featuring Dave Hanlon, Ron France, Brian Scherer, Jim O’Mahoney & Ed Vivenzio, The Jazz Mafia, The Instigators, Mark Doyle & Guitar Noir, Julie Howard Quartet, Tamaralee Shutt & The Matthew Rockwell Band, The Hot Club of Syracuse, The Frank Grosso Quartet, Julie & Rick Montalbano Trio, John Rode Trio, Mark Hoffmann & Swing This!, Monk Rowe & The Five Families Band, Quatro, The Jeff Martin Trio, and Tom Witkowski & The JT Hall Jazz Consort.
On June 22, the Visit Syracuse Stage at Hanover Square will feature two performances from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. beginning with Harri Stojka & Acoustic Drive from Vienna Austria. They will be followed by an All-Star Soul-Jazz ensemble called Something Else! featuring jazz legends Vincent Herring, James Carter, Randy Brecker, Paul Bolleback Dave Kikoski, Jeff Tain Watts, and Essiet Essiet.
The next day from 5:30-6:45 p.m. sees Scott Bradlee’s Post Modern Jukebox, celebrating the greatest 20th-century musical genres, fused with the recognizable hits of our own modern era. From 7:15-8:45 p.m., the best in funk and soul music Tower of Power performs. For the last 50 years, the group has been traveling the world, enjoying hit singles on their own and backing legendary artists including Otis Redding, Elton John, Santana, the Grateful Dead, and more. Ending the night is the legendary Herbie Hancock from 9:15-10:30 p.m.
Herbie Hancock, photo by Douglas Kirkland
June 24 brings Tuba Skinny, performing from 5:30-6:45 p.m. For over a decade, the group has been gaining popularity, releasing 12 albums and touring all over the world, drawing inspiration from the early jazz, ragtime, and blues music of the 1920s and 1930s. At 7:15 p.m., American jazz fusion band Spyro Gyra performs. Formed in Buffalo in 1974, the band’s music combines jazz, R&B, funk, and pop genres. Finally, ending the night is Rock and Roll and R&B Hall of Famer Gladys Knight from 9:15-10:30 p.m.
The 2023 Syracuse Jazz festival will close out on Sunday, June 25 on the campus of Syracuse University at Hendricks Chapel with a Jazz Fest-Ending Gospel Concert and Celebration. In addition to the other performers, The Syracuse University Faculty Jazz Ensemble and The Syracuse University Student Jazz Ensemble will also be performing this year.
And here we are at Round 3 of NYS Music’s March Madness 2022. Below you’ll find 8 matchups between 16 bands and artists from across New York State, from numerous genres, all on the rise and ready to make a name for themselves.
For the past 8 years, this annual competition has been shining a spotlight on the talented artists and musicians from across the Empire State. This year’s competition promises to be the biggest and best yet, with a lineup of diverse genres and highly skilled performers. March Madness 2023 highlights 64 bands and artists you might not know, but should know, as these homegrown talents are making waves through the New York State. Check out Round 2 here.
Enter your email address, meet the bands and artists below, and vote for your favorites!
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Yard Amphitheater Region
The Yard Amphitheater is an outdoor music venue nestled in the rolling hills of NY State with BBQ on site, an outdoor bar, space for lawn games, and room to dance! Watching a performance at The Yard is similar to watching a concert in your own backyard, with the exception that this backyard features a fully stocked outdoor bar, mouthwatering BBQ, and nationally touring performers.
eberwine vs. Honey Suckle Vine
Buffalo-based rock and blues quintet eberwine (sic) is known for innovative improvisation, soulful lyrics, and high-energy shows. The band’s music highlights the best of rock and blues with nods to 90s alt-rock and jam. eberwine is the brainchild of frontman and guitarist Todd Eberwine (Dive House Union, Soul Roach, Todd Eberwine Band). What started as a solo project in 2016, is now a touring five-piece pulling seasoned musicians from the Buffalo music scene into a Western New York supergroup featuring Ryan Nogle (Funktional Flow, Aqueous), Evan Laedke (Tim Britt Band), Aaron Ziolkowski (Little Mountain Band), and Jay Race (Dead Alliance Buffalo). While they don’t have any upcoming shows at the moment, check back for any new show announcements on their website.
Honey Suckle Vine (HSV) is a high-energy 4-piece blues-rock band based out of the Capital District of New York State. The songwriting team of Joey Jaquez (vocals, harmonica) and Jeremy Silverman (guitar, vocals) have been creating original material for over 20 years across the USA. Joined in 2017 by long time friends Graham Espe (bass, vocals, recording and production) and David Snediker (drums, vocals), HSV is ready to entertain. Check out their most recent album Painted Nights. On March 24th, they’ll be playing at Putnam Place with Tops Of Trees, Kyla Silk, and House of Saturn.
Mainline vs. An Easy Death
Mainline officially hit the scene at the end of 2019 when Anthony Schettino (Bass), Johnny Iodice (Lead Singer & Guitar), Mason Servedio (Drums), and Devin Reck (Guitar) released their debut single “Open Fire” which eventually led to the self-titled EP that came out in February of 2020. Their album “The Unholy Idol” has garnered up over 80,000+ streams across platforms, and has gotten worldwide attention. The current lineup since 2022 now includes Ryan Hartell on guitar, replacing Devin Reck. As of November 2022, the band released their most recent single “In Nothing We Trust” everywhere on streaming. Their last show was March 10 at Pete’s Saloon in Elmsford, NY. You can find Mainline next on April 22 at Dingbatz in Clifton, NJ, opening for Kore Rozzik!
An Easy Death is a 5-piece Post-Punkcore band based out of the Rochester area drawing influence from bands like Blink-182, Oceans Ate Alaska, Everytime I Die, MxPx, and It Dies Today. The band formed in 2020 and has since been making a name for themselves in the Rochester and Buffalo areas. Check out their most recent release from January, “The Debt That All Men Pay“. Their next appearance will be on March 25 at 7:00 PM with Dark Divine and Catch Your Breath at Rochester’s very own Montage Music Hall.
Voting for Round 3 has ended. Stay tuned for Round 4, starting at 8am on Thursday, March 16
Funk n Waffles Region
Farrow vs. Fine Grain
With thought provoking lyrics, strong melodies, and deep grooves, Farrow brings to life a vibe reminiscent of decades past whilst grounded in a modern sonic landscape. Based in Buffalo and led by producer/bass player Andre Pilette and singer/lyricist Michael Farrow, the band features Tim Webb on drums, Michael Ruopoli on percussion, Cory Clancy on guitar, Rufus “Breexy” Cole Jr. on keps, and Danielle Johnson on backing vocals. Check out the band’s website for show updates, like their past show on March 10. They also have an upcoming show on March 21, 2023 at the Buffalo Sabres vs Nashville Predators hockey game at Key Bank Center in Buffalo.
Fine Grain floats in between shoegaze haze and punk posturing. With prog-inspired riffs, post-punk murk, and the occasional ripping sax solo, fine grain offers up rambunctious reverie fit for hardcore fans of all generations. Fine Grain’s maturation is a testament to the transformative possibility of punk, showing how pulled threads of the past can still stitch together a promising new future. Visit here to listen to their latest release, their album “Missing Adult“.
Jennie Angel vs. The Forest Dwellers
Jennie Angel is an actress who recently rediscovered her love for music. Started playing the guitar when she was 16 and has been singing she was born, now performing popular country hits! Jennie has most recently been added as a member of the Academy of Country Music and will be attending the awards show in March. Music and merch are both available on her website. Check out her most recent single, released on Valentines Day, “You Proof“. Catch her next performance on March 16 at the SXSW Balanced Breakfast Showcase.
The Forest Dwellers are a reggae-infused folk/ indie group based out of Rochester, NY that plays universal medicine music. The band blends melodic music with incredible vocal harmonies. Stemming from different styles and genres, The Forest Dwellers fuse them into a new take on a familiar sound all its own. Listen to their song “Open Road” here.
Voting for Round 3 has ended. Stay tuned for Round 4, starting at 8am on Thursday, March 16
Jane Dough Region
Jane Dough help cannabis entrepreneurs win business licenses, optimize facility design, standardize operation, increase revenue and design their future.
PEAK vs. Murder in Rue Morgue
PEAK’s music, described as Psychedelic Indie Funk, is a mix of poetic, melodic songwriting, moody electrofunk, riffed-out blues-rock, and exploratory danceable improvisations. Some of their many influences include artists such as The Band, The Talking Heads, Phish, The Grateful Dead, Radiohead, James Brown, and Miles Davis, as well as modern songwriters such as Conor Oberst, Mac Demarco, Kurt Vile, and Jack White to name a few. The band’s website has links to their music, including their most recent album, “Choppy Water“. Tour/show information can be found here, like their most recent show on March 10, and their upcoming show on March 25 in Lake Huntington, NY.
Murder in Rue Morgue is CJ Carr, John Wolff, Matt Biss, and Dan Ouimette, hailing from the hometown of Manowar, and Level 7 in Auburn. The band is highly influenced by melodic death metal, such as In Flames, Killswitch Engage, and Times of Grace. The band is a group of hardworking musicians who leave it all up on the stage giving the best show every time. Listen to their 2019 album “Endless Cycles” here.
Whaley vs. Sarah King
Whaley comes from Long Island, and they are a culmination of the best material & musicians Logan has written & met over the last 8 years since graduating from music school. His music can be best described as having old-school sensibilities with a new-school vibe. He released his debut album “Funky Tonight” this past February. Keep up with Whaley at all their shows, the next one being March 16th at Long Island Stage in Riverhead, NY.
Known for her powerhouse voice and “fiery, vulnerable songs,” Sarah King creates thought-provoking, versatile Americana music. Her genuine stories about real-life emotions and situations also draw on classic folk-blues themes, balancing songs about the devil and booze with hard-won moments of reflection and acceptance. Her acclaimed 2021 EP The Hour, produced by Simone Felice and David Baron, earned her recognition as the New England Music Awards Songwriter of the Year and performances at the 2022 Folk Alliance International and Philadelphia Folk festivals, as well as supporting slots for acts including Blues Traveler and The Steel Woods. While Sarah doesn’t have any shows slated in NYS at the time, her next show is March 11 at The Colonial Theatre in Keene, New Hampshire.
Voting for Round 3 has ended. Stay tuned for Round 4, starting at 8am on Thursday, March 16
Strand Theatre Hudson Falls Region
The E-Block vs. Hilltop
The E-Block is a 5-piece indie R&B band based in Upstate New York, blending the acoustic warmth of singer-songwriter music with an ice-cold rhythm section informed by modern R&B. Led by guitarist Luke Pascarella, with the line up of saxophonist James Soren keyboardist Devin Tetlak, bassist Daniel Folds, and drummer Leroy “Rudy” Dalton, the band’s deep bag of influences and free-flowing style have earned them a reputation as a unique live act in the Capital Region scene. Follow their instagram for all the current action, including their new project “Waterfall” releasing this spring. In the meantime, listen to their most recent track “Stay” here. There are currently no upcoming shows, but check back on their website for any announcements.
Hilltop is a four piece jam band from Albany, NY. Over the past four years they’ve made a name for themselves with carefully crafted originals, mind bending improvisation & fun, diverse covers. Each member offers a proficient, unique approach to their instrument that defines the musical experience. This band of young musicians is eager to spread their music and will continue to engage crowds wherever they go. Listen to their newest release, a collection of live performances, titled “Live Rips” here. With an upcoming tour, there are 5 chances to see Hilltop live in NYS. Be sure to catch them at their next show on March 25 at the Monopole in Plattsburgh, as well as at Zen Barn in Waterbury, Vermont on March 23.
Deb Cavanaugh vs. Seize Atlantis
Singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and roots singer Deb Cavanaugh lives in the foothills of the Taconic Mountains, in Upstate New York. In the mid-nineties, Deb focused on traditional folk music such as Old Time, traditional ballads, and Irish dance tunes. She now formed Deb Cavanaugh & Dandelion Wine, playing a variety of styles including blues, rock and traditional folk as well as a variety of instruments. Dandelion Wine’s line-up may vary depending on the venue and availability of musicians. Dandelion Wine is Jared Carrozza on bass and Ben Hart on drums, who also provides vocals and occasional lead guitar. The unique blend of blues, rock & roll, and folk is what gives Dandelion Wine a genre best defined as “psychedelic folk.” Find out more about her incredible story and listen to songs at her website, including their most recent release “Electric Avenue“. Catch their performance at Troy Speakeasy on March 25th with Jared Carrozza, Ben Hart and Mandy Valentine.
Formed in 2019, Seize Atlantis, is an Alternative Rock Band located in Upstate NY that play a variety of genres, including originals and covers. The band consists of James Mullen (Lead Vocals/Guitar), Mike Dardas (Bass/Vocals), Luc Bourgault (Lead Guitar) and Cody Platt (Drums). Listen to their most recent release, “I Need It” here. Catch their performance at Pauly’s Hotel in Albany on March 12th.
Voting for Round 3 has ended. Stay tuned for Round 4, starting at 8am on Thursday, March 16
Voting ends at 11:59pm on Wednesday, March 8th. Winners will be announced on March 9th, with voting in Round 3 running March 11-13. Good luck to all the bands!
NYS Music has partnered with these great businesses across New York State to highlight the 64 up and coming bands and artists of NYS Music March Madness, Round 1 and Round 2.
The finalists of of each region will be rewarded with a collection of prizes worth $3000. Partners for NYS Music’s March Madness 2023 include Mirth Films from Albany, a music news/entertainment outlet that specializes in original video content and live streaming, with news coverage ranging across the whole country, who will provide a professional multi-camera recording session at a prestigious venue in Albany for the winning band, premiering exclusively on Mirth Films.
Additionally, one finalist will earn a spot on the lineup for the Scarsdale Music Festival, held on June 3, 2023
WEQX is a radio station in Manchester, VT. They’re are completely independently owned and operated, always have been, since 1984. This station exists out of a love for music, a love for radio, and the commitment to always giving their listeners the best of the best.
Brooklyn-based ensemble Sammy Rae and The Friends have announced they will embark on a fall headline tour, which includes a stop in Ithaca.
On Sept. 24, the band will perform at the State Theatre of Ithaca, five days after beginning their tour on Sept. 19. After the fall headline tour ends, the band will head back to the UK, where they will have a headline show in London.
More than a band, Sammy and The Friends are a family. The diverse group of performers flourishes in any environment with a combination of all-for-one and one-for-all camaraderie, palpable chemistry, deft virtuosity, and vocal fireworks. Their most recent singles include the soul-infused “Closer To You,” and last summer’s jazzy retro pop single “If It All Goes South.” The latter was accompanied by a music video starring Barbara Lochiatto, who appeared in Netflix’s 2020 documentary Some Kind of Heaven as a widow looking for love. Inspired by Lochiatto’s story, Sammy reached out to her to join the music video.
Prior to the fall tour, Sammy and The Friends are scheduled to perform at Carnegie Hall on March 15, for the 18th annual Music Of fundraising performance, The Music of Paul McCartney. Other musicians scheduled to perform include Nancy Wilson, Lake Street Dive, Natalie Merchant, and more. The upcoming performance marks only the beginning of a jam-packed 2023 for the band.
Summer will keep the group busy, as well. On June 15, they will make their debut appearance at Central Park Summer Stage, shortly followed by another debut at the Bonnaroo on June 18. At the Green River Festival on June 24, the band is scheduled to headline.
If you’re interested in seeing Sammy Rae and Friends perform in Ithaca, tickets go on sale starting March 10.
Sammy Rae & The Friends Confirmed Tour Dates
Wed, Mar 15 New York, NY @ Carnegie Hall (The Music of Paul McCartney) Thur, June 15 New York, NY @ Central Park Summerstage Sat, Jun 24 Franklin County Fairgrounds (Northampton, MA) @ Green River Festival Sun, Jun 18 Manchester, TN @ Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival Tue, Sept 19 South Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground Wed, Sept 20 Portland, ME @ State Theatre Thur, Sept 21 Boston, MA @ Roadrunner Sun, Sept 24 Ithaca, NY@ State Theatre of Ithaca Tue, Sept 26 Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues Wed, Sept 27 Detroit, MI @ Majestic Theatre Thur, Sept 28 Toronto, ON @ HISTORY Sat, Sept 30 Bridgeport, CT @ Sound on Sound Sun, Oct 1 Millavale, PA @ Mr. Small’s Theatre Mon, Oct 2 Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall Wed, Oct 4 Chicago, IL @ Riviera Theatre Thur, Oct 5 St Paul, MN @ Palace Theatre Fri, Oct 6 Kansas City, MO @ Madrid Theatre Sun, Oct 8 Denver, CO @ Ogden Theatre Tue, Oct 10 Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot Wed, Oct 11 Jackson, WY @ Center for the Arts Fri, Oct 13 Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom Sat, Oct 14 Seattle, WA @ Showbox SoDo Sun, Oct 15 Portland, OR @ McMenamins Crystal Ballroom Tue, Oct 17 San Francisco, CA @ The Warfield Wed, Oct 18 Los Angeles, CA @ The Novo Thur, Oct 19 San Diego, CA @ House of Blues Sat, Oct 21 Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre Thur, Nov 16 London, UK @ Eventim Apollo Fri, Nov 17 Bristol, UK @ SWX Sat, Nov 18 Manchester, UK @ New Century Hall Sun, Nov 19 Glasgow, UK @ Queen Margaret Union
Watch Sammy and The Friends perform live at Brooklyn Steel.
Dead & Company have announced they will be continuing the Grateful Dead’s storied legacy at Cornell University and its famed Barton Hall with an intimate show on May 8, the same date and venue as the acclaimed performance in 1977.
Later this year, Dead & Company will embark on a farewell tour, featuring Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, and Bob Weir, plus John Mayer, Oteil Burbridge, and Jeff Chimenti. It has been exactly 46 years since the Grateful Dead performed at Barton Hall, considered by many fans to be not only the best show of the Spring 1977 tour but quite possibly the best show the group ever played. “Cornell 1977 holds a special place in Grateful Dead lore. That magical night lives forever and will always link Cornell and the Grateful Dead,” said drummer Mickey Hart. Readers of the New York Times voted Barton ’77 the best Dead show of all time in an April 2009 online poll.
According to the Cornell Chronicle, the 1977 show spawned numerous bootlegs, a book, conspiracy theories, and endless debate. The band’s performance that night was 19 songs played over two sets, with some numbers sprawling past the 15-minute mark. They included songs like “Saint Stephen” and “Morning Dew” while skipping classics “Truckin’” and “Dark Star.” Some fans believed the show was a CIA mind-control experiment, and it inspired the book Cornell ’77: The Music, the Myth and the Magnificence of the Grateful Dead Show at Barton Hall. A lot of fans recorded bootlegs of the performance and in 2012 a recording of the performance was added to the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress. The original concert was later released as a three-disc CD box set and five-disc LP in May 2017.
The concert will be a fundraiser for Cornell’s 2030 Project, to develop tangible solutions to climate change, and MusiCares, a nonprofit established in 1989 by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences to support the health and welfare of music industry professionals. A variety of Dead & Company Cornell ’23 ticket offerings, including multiple levels of VIP and General Admission tickets, are available via Ticketstoday’s lottery system. Those interested in attending the event may register before 11:59 p.m. on March 10 via this link. The event will also be available for a live pay-per-view video, a live free audio stream, and a SiriusXM broadcast via the Grateful Dead Channel.
The 2023 Sammy Awards took place on March 3 at The Palace Theater in Syracuse. This year’s ceremony had an outstanding turn out as all came together to celebrate and applaud the accomplishments of all artists and genres of music across Central New York.
This year’s SAMMY Awards were hosted by Dave Frisnia, notable for his career in broadcasting. Frisnia hosts his online radio show “Soulshine” every Sunday morning, and claimed to be one of the longest-running local music broadcast shows in the state of New York. A notable highlight of this year’s show included bringing out members on stage of the all time ‘Hall of Fame’ from the past 30 years.
These Hall of Famers came together to applaud their gratitude to Liz Nowak nominated as Founder of the Year. On stage she states, “I’ve worked and learned from everyone on this stage tonight. We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the music that you create. It’s your courage that puts those lyrics to page.” Her dedication to the SAMMYs is well recognized among the Syracuse music community and the annual awards show wouldn’t be where it stands today, without her.
This year, not only was the SAMMYs a place of recognition with awards but also a place to acknowledge the joy of music. Between nominations various bands and musicians came to play and show their talent who deserve recognition. Such as Not Robots!, opening with one of their hit songs ‘Go Peacefully’. Other bands performing included Carolyn Kelly Blues Band, Chuck Schiele’s Quatro, Trauma Cat and the Brownskin Band, and a special performance by Dylan Michael, nominated as Best New Artist. At only tthe age of 13, Dylan proved his young talent on the electric guitar, having started playing at the age of 6 years old. As Best New Artist, Dylan won 6 hours from local recording studio SubCat Studios.
To conclude the 2023 SAMMY Awards, a major milestone was marked, celebrating 30 years of appreciating and awarding local talent and musicians from Central New York. Breaking all records with 242,190 total votes this year, NYS Music had the honor in presenting the Jazz Award to promote and honor blues, swing and passion expressed with creative freedom, and honoring diversity, collaboration and the community that music holds to bring us together.
Welcome to Round 2 of NYS Music’s March Madness 2023! Below you’ll find 16 matchups between 32 bands and artists from across New York State, from numerous genres, all on the rise and ready to make a name for themselves.
For the past 8 years, this annual competition has been shining a spotlight on the talented artists and musicians from across the Empire State. This year’s competition promises to be the biggest and best yet, with a lineup of diverse genres and highly skilled performers. March Madness 2023 highlights 64 bands and artists you might not know, but should know, as these homegrown talents are making waves through the New York State. Check out Round 1 here.
Enter your email address, meet the bands and artists below, and vote for your favorites!
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The Yard Amphitheater is an outdoor music venue nestled in the rolling hills of NY State with BBQ on site, an outdoor bar, space for lawn games, and room to dance! Watching a performance at The Yard is similar to watching a concert in your own backyard, with the exception that this backyard features a fully stocked outdoor bar, mouthwatering BBQ, and nationally touring performers.
Yard Amphitheater Region
Elephant Back vs Eberwine
Elephant Back was formed in 2020 during the COVID pandemic. Two musicians getting together to write some kick ass music together. Dave and Sarah proceeded to write, record, and mix an entire album in their home studios. Sent it out for mastering and then began creating stunning visuals in the form of music videos for each song they produced. Each video was released with each single over the course of a year until the release of the entire album in August 2022. Check out their song “Go To War” here.
Buffalo-based rock and blues quintet eberwine (sic) is known for innovative improvisation, soulful lyrics, and high-energy shows. The band’s music highlights the best of rock and blues with nods to 90s alt-rock and jam. eberwine is the brainchild of frontman and guitarist Todd Eberwine (Dive House Union, Soul Roach, Todd Eberwine Band). What started as a solo project in 2016, is now a touring five-piece pulling seasoned musicians from the Buffalo music scene into a Western New York supergroup featuring Ryan Nogle (Funktional Flow, Aqueous), Evan Laedke (Tim Britt Band), Aaron Ziolkowski (Little Mountain Band), and Jay Race (Dead Alliance Buffalo). Listen to “Worlds Away” here.
Honey Suckle Vine vs Sydney Irving and the Mojo
Honey Suckle Vine (HSV) is a high-energy 4-piece blues-rock band based out of the Capital District of New York State. The songwriting team of Joey Jaquez (vocals, harmonica) and Jeremy Silverman (guitar, vocals) have been creating original material for over 20 years across the USA. Joined in 2017 by long time friends Graham Espe (bass, vocals, recording and production) and David Snediker (drums, vocals), HSV is ready to entertain. Check out their most recent album Painted Nights.
New York native, Sydney Irving is in the early years of her music career, but she has already been named the 2020 young adult artist of the year by the International Singer Songwriters Association and the 2022 Best New Artist at the Syracuse Area Music Awards. At only 14, her debut album, “Hello Stranger” was released. She was also named the 2020 Female Artist of the Year by Music Mafia Radio. Check out “You Can’t Forget About Me” here.
Canella vs Mainline
Canella is a rising indie-rock band from Albany + Bogotá, Colombia. Inspired by the sounds of 2000’s alt rock, they have established an electric presence in NY’s Capital Region as winners of WCDB Radio’s ‘Song of the Year’ award for their debut single “Quiet Love”. Joining the Tulip Fest 2022 Lineup, Canella set a fire on stage that ignited female fronted rock nostalgia but with a refreshing DIY take. Their music is inspired and dedicated to former bandmate and best friend, Kyle Robinson who tragically passed away in a car accident in 2020. Listen to their most recent single “Why Can’t I” released last month!
MAINLINE officially hit the scene at the end of 2019 when Anthony Schettino (Bass), Johnny Iodice (Lead Singer & Guitar), Mason Servedio (Drums), and Devin Reck (Guitar) released their debut single “Open Fire” which eventually led to the self-titled EP that came out in February of 2020. Their album “The Unholy Idol” has garnered up over 80,000+ streams across platforms, and has gotten worldwide attention. The current lineup since 2022 now includes Ryan Hartell on guitar, replacing Devin Reck. As of November 2022, the band released their most recent single “In Nothing We Trust” everywhere on streaming.
An Easy Death vs Blue 22
An Easy Death is a 5-piece Post-Punkcore band based out of the Rochester area drawing influence from bands like Blink-182, Oceans Ate Alaska, Everytime I Die, MxPx, and It Dies Today. The band formed in 2020 and has since been making a name for themselves in the Rochester and Buffalo areas. Check out their most recent release from January, “The Debt That All Men Pay“.
Blue 22 is a local Rochester band specializing in performing classic rock covers and original tunes for private and public events. Blue 22’s lineup consists of twins Dom Spinelli and Nick Spinelli, Eli Burgard, and Will Hyman. Blue 22 is currently working on recording their first album, Where the Music is Loud, but in the meantime, listen to their song “Tantalize”.
Voting for Round 2 has ended. Please check back for Round 3, starting Saturday, March 11 and 8am!
Regional sponsors include Funk n Waffles, a premiere music venue in Syracuse established in 2007 with a unique take on the culinary and entertainment industries, offering a wide variety of gourmet waffles and breakfast food, as well as offering live music every night!
Funk n Waffles Region
Blue Envy vs Farrow
Blue Envy is an alternative rock band based in Rochester, NY. Known for their unique style inspired by the rock, blues, and progressive rock artists of the past, the group has worked to concoct an original sound that consistently pushes their musical limits. Since their formation in 2018, the band has been honing their craft by gigging heavily throughout NYS, all while continually creating new music that strives to expand their compositional abilities.
With thought provoking lyrics, strong melodies, and deep grooves, Farrow brings to life a vibe reminiscent of decades past whilst grounded in a modern sonic landscape. Based in Buffalo and led by producer/bass player Andre Pilette and singer/lyricist Michael Farrow, the band features Tim Webb on drums, Michael Ruopoli on percussion, Cory Clancy on guitar, Rufus “Breexy” Cole Jr. on keps, and Danielle Johnson on backing vocals. Check out the band’s website for videos and music updates, like their most recent single “The Creek“.
Fine Grain vs Black Tongue Reverend
Fine Grain floats in between shoegaze haze and punk posturing. With prog-inspired riffs, post-punk murk, and the occasional ripping sax solo, fine grain offers up rambunctious reverie fit for hardcore fans of all generations. Fine Grain’s maturation is a testament to the transformative possibility of punk, showing how pulled threads of the past can still stitch together a promising new future. Visit here to listen to their latest release, their album “Missing Adult“.
Formed in 2021, Black Tongue Reverend plays a unique style of heavy psychedelic Stoner-Blues that draws influence from every decade from the 60s and 70s psychedelic rock movement through today’s flourishing Stoner Rock/Doom scene. With a punk-like DIY spirit they have self-recorded and released two records to date, the EP “Northern Burden” in February 2022, and most recently, the LP “All Of Them Have Fangs” in October 2022. Committed to keeping things fresh and interesting, their loud and energetic live performances feature touches of improvisation that ensure no two performances are ever the same.
Maggie’s Clan vs Jennie Angel
Maggie’s Clan is American Celtic Rock, fusing traditional Celtic instrumentation and folklore with the contagious energy of rock and roll. Created in 2016, this 7 piece, one of a kind powerhouse have been performing at local and regional pubs, music venues and festivals in NY from Rockaway, Queens to the Adirondacks. Maggie will hit you with a wall of sound from driving rhythms, hard rock vocals, bagpipes, fiddle and mandolin. Their self-titled album “Maggie’s Clan” can be found on all streaming services .
Jennie Angel is an actress who recently rediscovered her love for music. Started playing the guitar when she was 16 and has been singing she was born, now performing popular country hits! Jennie has most recently been added as a member of the Academy of Country Music and will be attending the awards show in March. Music and merch are both available on her website. Check out her most recent single, released on Valentines Day, “You Proof“.
Seeing Double vs The Forest Dwellers
Seeing Double, an Oneonta based rock band, is electrifying the college music scene in their tiny Upstate town with a growing fanbase and reputation among the community with their high-energy shows. Combining their signature twin harmonies, feel-good grooves, and punchy instrumentals, “The Doub” creates a unique sound reminiscent of 70s pop-rock and modern indie with their growing category of songs. Listen to their most recent single “Bygones” here.
The Forest Dwellers are a reggae-infused folk/ indie group based out of Rochester, NY that plays universal medicine music. The band blends melodic music with incredible vocal harmonies. Stemming from different styles and genres, The Forest Dwellers fuse them into a new take on a familiar sound all its own. Listen to their song “Open Road” here.
Voting for Round 2 has ended. Please check back for Round 3, starting Saturday, March 11 and 8am!
Jane Dough help cannabis entrepreneurs win business licenses, optimize facility design, standardize operation, increase revenue and design their future.
Jane Dough Region
PEAK vs Pencildive
PEAK’s music, described as Psychedelic Indie Funk, is a mix of poetic, melodic songwriting, moody electrofunk, riffed-out blues-rock, and exploratory danceable improvisations. Some of their many influences include artists such as The Band, The Talking Heads, Phish, The Grateful Dead, Radiohead, James Brown, and Miles Davis, as well as modern songwriters such as Conor Oberst, Mac Demarco, Kurt Vile, and Jack White to name a few. The band’s website has links to their music, including their most recent album, “Choppy Water“.
Pencildive is a rock band based in Saratoga Springs and Brooklyn, led by songwriter Gina De Nardo. Their sound is both tender and explosive with punchy drums and gritty guitar interwoven with brooding melodies and live noise experiments, described as indie gloom, punk, and alternative. Listen to their debut album “Grown Ups” here.
Murder In Rue Morgue vs Kids in the Basement
Murder in Rue Morgue is CJ Carr, John Wolff, Matt Biss, and Dan Ouimette, hailing from the hometown of Manowar, and Level 7 in Auburn. The band is highly influenced by melodic death metal, such as In Flames, Killswitch Engage, and Times of Grace. The band is a group of hardworking musicians who leave it all up on the stage giving the best show every time. Listen to their 2019 album “Endless Cycles” here.
Kids In The Basement is a high energy four piece Jam/Dance rock band that formed in 2015 in Rochester. Starting off from humble beginnings, KITB frequently found themselves as staples at Park Ave House parties. As time went on and their following grew, they eventually moved their act to larger venues and stages across the state. As a result of playing hundreds of shows across NY over the years, they have gained a loyal following of all ages that are keen to their upbeat music and dance party-like vibe. Kids In The Basement truly brings the party to every show they play! Listen to their most recent song “Tijuana” here.
Side-B vs Whaley
Born out of Albany, Side-B is an energetic 4-piece alternative rock band that blends influences ranging from classic rock acts like Led Zeppelin and The Police to funk, blues, jazz, punk, folk, and modern alternative. Their home-recorded single, “The Mountain Song,” perfectly showcases this creative fusion of styles. After making waves in the Capital Region and beyond, the quartet is now on the verge of a release for their debut full-length album.
Whaley comes from Long Island, and they are a culmination of the best material & musicians Logan has written & met over the last 8 years since graduating from music school. His music can be best described as having old-school sensibilities with a new-school vibe. He released his debut album “Funky Tonight” this past February.
Mall Goth vs Sarah King
Mall Goth is the musical project of Ella Kasper, Peter Lukach, Sam Meyer, James Hatari and Kensho Ueda, based in Binghamton, NY. The friends met through the local music scene while attending Binghamton University, and formed Mall Goth in October 2022. Since then they’ve been performing together all over the state of New York. Listen to their self titled debut album “Mall Goth” here.
Known for her powerhouse voice and “fiery, vulnerable songs,” Sarah King creates thought-provoking, versatile Americana music. Her genuine stories about real-life emotions and situations also draw on classic folk-blues themes, balancing songs about the devil and booze with hard-won moments of reflection and acceptance. Her acclaimed 2021 EP The Hour, produced by Simone Felice and David Baron, earned her recognition as the New England Music Awards Songwriter of the Year and performances at the 2022 Folk Alliance International and Philadelphia Folk festivals, as well as supporting slots for acts including Blues Traveler and The Steel Woods. Listen to her most recent single “Blame It On the Booze” here.
Voting for Round 2 has ended. Please check back for Round 3, starting Saturday, March 11 and 8am!
Having a huge calendar each month with a wide variety of genres, shows and experiences, the Strand Theatre holds the distinction as the only major music venue in Washington and Warren Counties that is open year-round. The Strand creates community through music and the related arts in Hudson Falls.
Strand Theatre Hudson Falls Region
The Brass Machine vs The E-Block
The Brass Machine is one of the premiere touring acts on the live music circuit today, laying down funky New Orleans-style street beats across the United States and Canada. Formed in 2014 at the University at Buffalo, The Brass Machine provides a unique blend of hip hop, funk, and R&B, all in an infectious and energetic brass-y package. Having performed alongside national acts such as Earth, Wind, and Fire, Starship, The Soul Rebels, Rebirth Brass Band, Bonerama, John Papa Gros, CJ Chenier and more – The Brass Machine is hittin’ the streets HARD.
The E-Block is a 5-piece indie R&B band based in Upstate New York, blending the acoustic warmth of singer-songwriter music with an ice-cold rhythm section informed by modern R&B. Led by guitarist Luke Pascarella, with the line up of saxophonist James Soren keyboardist Devin Tetlak, bassist Daniel Folds, and drummer Leroy “Rudy” Dalton, the band’s deep bag of influences and free-flowing style have earned them a reputation as a unique live act in the Capital Region scene. Follow their instagram for all the current action, including their new project “Waterfall” releasing this spring. In the meantime, listen to their most recent track “Stay” here.
Sly Fox and the Hustlers vs Hilltop
A Saratoga Springs based band, Sly Fox and the Hustlers was formed in 2010 when Sly Fox’s longtime friend and musical partner, the Anti- Records recording artist Sean Rowe took a leave from rock and roll to focus on performing solo. At the same time, Sly had been writing songs to help work through a difficult time in his life, and was becoming an engaging singer. Listen to “Find Someone” here.
Hilltop is a four piece jam band from Albany, NY. Over the past four years they’ve made a name for themselves with carefully crafted originals, mind bending improvisation & fun, diverse covers. Each member offers a proficient, unique approach to their instrument that defines the musical experience. This band of young musicians is eager to spread their music and will continue to engage crowds wherever they go. Listen to their newest release, a collection of live performances, titled “Live Rips” here.
Xavier Sharp vs Deb Cavanaugh & Dandelion Wine
Xavier Sharp is a New York based alternative rapper, singer and producer. He enjoys long walks on the beach and romantic candlelit dinners. Xavier is 21, single, has no kids and is just looking to get back out there after the divorce. He currently attends school at SUNY Oneonta but he enjoys attending alternative hip hop shows on weekends. He says if you swipe right “you’ve swiped right.” Listen to his most recent single “On God” below.
Singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and roots singer Deb Cavanaugh lives in the foothills of the Taconic Mountains, in Upstate New York. In the mid-nineties, Deb focused on traditional folk music such as Old Time, traditional ballads, and Irish dance tunes. She now formed Deb Cavanaugh & Dandelion Wine, playing a variety of styles including blues, rock and traditional folk as well as a variety of instruments. Dandelion Wine’s line-up may vary depending on the venue and availability of musicians. Dandelion Wine is Jared Carrozza on bass and Ben Hart on drums, who also provides vocals and occasional lead guitar. The unique blend of blues, rock & roll, and folk is what gives Dandelion Wine a genre best defined as “psychedelic folk.” Find out more about her incredible story and listen to songs at her website, including their most recent release “Electric Avenue“.
Lil Josiey vs Seize Atlantis
David Gomula-Mosso, popularly known as Lil Josiey is a young Alternative Pop singer/songwriter from Amsterdam, NY. He also plays the piano and guitar where he self-taught himself off of YouTube. His latest single is, “Dreaming About You” that was released this year on Valentines Day. When asked about the band, MJ Savino of PMV Magazine said “It’s quite refreshing to come across young talent well-crafted in multiple genres of music and instruments from Pop to Emo to Alternative.”
Formed in 2019, Seize Atlantis, is an Alternative Rock Band located in Upstate NY that play a variety of genres, including originals and covers. The band consists of James Mullen (Lead Vocals/Guitar), Mike Dardas (Bass/Vocals), Luc Bourgault (Lead Guitar) and Cody Platt (Drums). Listen to “The Unstoppable Groove” here.
Voting for Round 2 has ended. Please check back for Round 3, starting Saturday, March 11 and 8am!
Voting ends at 11:59pm on Wednesday, March 8th. Winners will be announced on March 9th, with voting in Round 3 running March 11-13. Good luck to all the bands!
NYS Music has partnered with these great businesses across New York State to highlight the 64 up and coming bands and artists of NYS Music March Madness, Round 1 and 2.
The finalists of of each region will be rewarded with a collection of prizes worth $3000. Partners for NYS Music’s March Madness 2023 include Mirth Films from Albany, a music news/entertainment outlet that specializes in original video content and live streaming, with news coverage ranging across the whole country, who will provide a professional multi-camera recording session at a prestigious venue in Albany for the winning band, premiering exclusively on Mirth Films.
Additionally, one finalist will earn a spot on the lineup for the Scarsdale Music Festival, held on June 3, 2023
WEQX is a radio station in Manchester, VT. They’re are completely independently owned and operated, always have been, since 1984. This station exists out of a love for music, a love for radio, and the commitment to always giving their listeners the best of the best.
The Cayuga Chamber Orchestra will continue its Orchestral Series on Saturday, March 11, featuring renowned concert artist Paul Neubauer with CCO Concertmaster Christina Bouey. The concert will begin with Stravinsky’s Danses Concertantes, followed by selections from Romani Folk Songs, and ending with Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante.
The CCO was founded in 1976 and is officially designated “Ithaca’s Orchestra.” CCO provides various programs in each season including but not limited with Orchestral Series, Chamber Music Series, and Holiday concerts. They also hold the award winning program Daetsch Youth Outreach Program, which earned the 2015 Yale Distinguished Music Educator award. In the following years, they add more programs to provide opportunities for advanced students and college students.
Paul Neubauer is a globally award-winning soloist and recording artist. He performed with over 100 orchestras worldwide and won numerous awards, including first prize in the Lionel Tertis International Viola Competition. Neaubauer was the principal violist of the New York Philharmonic when he was 21 and is currently a faculty of The Juilliard School and Mannes College in New York City.
Christina Bouey is currently Concertmaster of the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra and Assistant Professor of Violin at Ithaca College. She has won the Grand Prize at the Vietnam International Chamber Competition and the Grand Prize at the Fischoff Competition. In addition, her ensemble, the Ulysses Quartet, were Lisa Arnhold Fellows at the Juilliard School.
Tickets may be purchased online, by phone or at the door. Select subscriptions are still available. For more information, please visit CCO website.