About

Syracuse New Times Sammys

The Syracuse New Times Syracuse Area Music Awards (Sammys) were founded in 1993 by Frank Malfitano. In the years since, the association has set the goal to award and to honor Syracuse musicians who have made significant contributions to the local music community throughout the year. Sammy awards are presented amidst celebrity cameos, ground-breaking live music and the warmth of Syracuse musicians who have come out to support each other. With the support of community and state funding, as well as from ambitious fundraising, the Sammys has been able to sustain its mission to recognize those local musicians who share a dream to make great music.

The Sammys executive board is a non-profit organization which manages the distribution of annual awards and plans for award show events. Board members negotiate the process by which award candidates are selected and judged and oversee the production of awards. The tireless volunteer work of board members results in a valuable Syracuse legacy. In the end, the value of the Sammys is obvious in the legendary tales Syracuse musicians tell about their adventures through the music circuit, and their appreciation for the Syracuse Area Music Awards.


The current members of the Sammys executive board are (from top left to top right) Joe Whiting, "Big" Mike Fiss, Matt Mumau, Dave Frisina (resigned in 2007), Debbie Foley, (front bottom left to bottom right) Melissa Midgley, Jenn Appleby, Liz Nowak, Susan Foster. Not pictured, Mike "Brix" Bambrick.