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Congratulations and thank you to everyone for making the 2010
Asbury Music Awards a HUGE success and a VERY special evening of
music and celebration. The AMAs, originally known as The Golden
T-Bird Awards, premiered in Asbury Park in 1993. An annual music
scene staple, the first Asbury Music Awards was held at the former
T-Birds Cafe on Main Street in Asbury Park, NJ. Scott Stamper, owner
of THE SAINT in Asbury Park & the Wave Gathering Music Festival
founder, along with Peter Mantas, Langosta Lounge's entertainment
director, founded, & originally designed the Asbury Music Awards in
1993 as a response to the area's hardworking musicians, singers and
songwriters, and the longstanding, ever-evolving Live Original Music
scene in and around Asbury Park, NJ.
Inspired by a strong desire to give something back to the
musicians and music community who make up the Jersey Shore's
incredibly diverse music culture, Stamper and Mantas began
presenting the awards to the many talented musicians, singers and
songwriters who had presented live original music and paid their
dues in the various music rooms in the area. The 1993-1994 Asbury
Music Awards took place at T-Birds Cafe. Scott Stamper and Adam
Weisberg opened the legendary music venue, The Saint, in 1994, and
moved the show due to rapid growth. At this time, the show was
renamed the Asbury Music Awards (in 1995). For two years, The Saint
hosted the gala celebration for local artists, singers and
songwriters, but the show quickly outgrew the venue. To accommodate
the burgeoning crowds, the Asbury Music Awards moved to The Fastlane
in 1997, The Stone Pony in 1998, and The Tradewinds in Sea Bright in
1999. This Tradewinds was a banner show, drawing over 800 attendees.
The Stone Pony hosted the Asbury Music Awards in 2000 and 2001, The
Tradewinds in 2002 and, since 2003, The Stone Pony has been the host
of the Asbury Music Awards.
In addition to the recognition the Asbury Music Awards provides
to local musicians, singers and songwriters, the shows have also
proven a great opportunity for music fans, promoters, artists,
media, local venues and the music community on a whole to experience
the incredibly diverse talent in a wide variety of musical genres in
one very special and intimate evening of music and celebration. So
much goes on behind the scenes in planning and preparation for the
Asbury Music Awards. The nominees and performers are selected by a
panel of industry veterans which include promoters, sound
technicians, radio personalities, music writers and club owners.
Artists that have graduated to a major label or those who have won
or been nominated for a particular category for five consecutive
years at the Asbury Music Awards are eligible for “Record of The
Year” and “Best Thing To Happen in Asbury Park,” and may appear
onstage presenting or performing during the ceremonies, however,
they have graduated from being nominated from most if not all other
categories, making room for up-and-coming artists, musicians,
singers and songwriters. After the carefully chosen Asbury Music
Awards panel convenes and chooses all performers and nominees, the
names of the nominees for each category are compiled in ballot
format and distributed to a select group of music industry insiders,
devoted music fans and local music scenesters.
The voting process is not open to the general public, but much
effort is put into selecting voters. This method has proven most
equitable, as it precludes "ballot stuffing" than can skew results
in certain categories. Area clubs, music-related businesses, record
stores, radio stations, newspapers and time tested music enthusiasts
are ALL represented in the final voting. Ballots are painstakingly
counted, votes are tallied, and the winners are revealed for the
first time at the Asbury Music Awards ceremony. A variety of local
music alumni, past award recipients, sponsors, and industry
professionals are invited by the panel to present awards each year.
The Asbury Music Awards have been going strong and growing rapidly
for more than 17 years, celebrating our local musicians, singers /
songwriters and music community in support of live original music
and local musicians.
The people behind the Asbury Music Awards believe that live music
is what makes Asbury Park, NJ so special. The Asbury Music Awards
works diligently to recognize and support local musicians and the
music community in Asbury Park, the Live Music Capital of New
Jersey, and beyond. We look forward to seeing everyone at the 19th
Annual Asbury Music Awards in 2011. Thank you for your outpouring of
support. Only through your support do the AMA's succeed in
promoting, preserving and celebrating live music & musicians in
Asbury Park, NJ. We hope to see everybody next year at the 19th
Annual Asbury Music Awards in 2011!
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