Second annual awards show staged Saturday night at the Palace:
You’ve got to give Jimmy Black credit: he knows how to put on a show!
It’s all about numbers.
When Jimmy and his wife, Sheridonna, stage the Second Annual Upper State Independent Awards at 7 p.m. Saturday Nov. 8, at the Palace Theater, they’ll welcome more than 200 nominees as well as their fans and families.
The Indie Awards will recognize artistic achievement in 29 categories ranging from gospel to reggae to hip-hop. Not only will musicians perform and win awards, so will poets, models and photographers. So will TV, radio and record producers.
“Last year, at our very first awards show, we drew about 250 to the Palace,” recalled Black, a local rapper and music entrepreneur a.k.a. Kendric Bedell. “This year, we’re hoping for many more. Our mission is to raise awareness about the talented individuals that surround us.”
Black estimates that about half his audience comes from Syracuse, while the other half hail from across Upstate New York.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for networking,” Black said.
The connections made by attendees often bring together different disciplines. For instance, the awards feature a fashion show along with musical performances by both local and out-of-town artists.
The Indie Awards have drawn comparisons to the Syracuse Area Music Awards, which have been recognizing area musicians for the past 15 years.
“We’re like the Sammys because we both promote and celebrate music,” Black explained, “but we’re different because we acknowledge more than music. We’re more diverse in our nominees and awards selections. We’re honoring all genres and backgrounds.”
Among the Indie Awards’ diverse musical categories are alternative pop, jazz, folk, blues, reggaetone, country/bluegrass, international and rock’n’roll. There are three hip-hop categories, one each for male, female and group nominees.
Voting is done primarily online at www.USAIwards.com.
The Palace is located at 2384 James St., in Eastwood. Admission to the Indie Awards costs $25 for adults, $10 for students, $5 for ages 9 and younger; or $55 for a VIP pass; 422-1406.
The Upper State Indie Awards are presented by Black’s biz, Above These Haters Only, Enough Said (ATH) in partnership with Reclaiming our African Pride (RAP) Inc. a non-profit organization.
Gospel
The Foundation
The Bells of Harmony
Bishop Townsley and the Gospel Jubilee
Michael Hunley
Abyssinian Baptist Gospel Choir
Nu Millennium
AKOMA African-American
Women’s Gospel Choir
The Amadeus Concert Choir
Mount Vernon Gospel Knights
Harlem Gospel Choir
Jazz
One Black Voice
Ayana Del Valle
Buffalo Ridge Jazz Band
Norman Brown
Nate Reit Jazz Duo
Russell Fielder Quintet
Madeline Forster
Doc Scanlon
Marcia Rutledge
DJ
DJ Hustle
DJ Juice
NY
DJ Epps
Stunna
Dj Geda
DJ Will, DJ Snap, and DJ Triple X
of Da Union
DJ Hydro
Runnamuck
Big Hype
DJ B.O.B.
Blues
Los Blancos
Stevie Wolf & The Blues Express
Dave Hanlon’s Cookbook
Mojo Hand Blues Band
Gifted Counterpoint
The Legendary Dukes
Sweaty Betty Blues Band
61 South
Sukari
R&B/Band/Group
Electric Relaxation
Dezire
Innasense
DFE
Funktion
Rudy and the Professionals
Singnature
Female R&B
Imani Scott
Racquel
Destine
Alma V
UNIQ BEING
Bethany Davis
Sukari
Mz. Shyanne
Takiya
Clarisa Rose
Poet
Bruce Smith
Georgia Popoff
liz mariani
R. Mack Milly
Back Porch Poets
G Dash
Holliwood
Sunni Chiba
Male R&B
Micheal Mackintyer
Edgar Torres
Bobby Soloman Smith
Jayme Hammond
Ahmir
Roosevelt “Big Frank” Thomas
Folk
Michael P. Ryan
Lou and Peter Berryman
Nathan Noto
Back Porch Poets
Charley Orlando
Peter Gevisser
Bethany Saint Smith & The Gun Show
Patricia Alberti
Alternative/Pop
Bethany Davis
Lisa M
Mute
Straight Jack
‘tude vox
Adaptation
Erik Darzell
Reggae/Cultural Roots
BoBo Camp
Sukari
Akuma Roots
A aVa A.
Matisyahu
BERTUS
Iah Cranks
Country/Bluegrass
Michael P. Ryan
Fritz’s Polka Band
J.D. & The Nashville Ramblers
Banjo Dan and the Mid-nite Plowboys
Don Campbell Band
High Range
ReggaeTone
Lapiz Conciente
Mekka
Lisa M
Ivy Queen
La Sista
K Mill
Nico Canada
Termanology
Hip-Hop Male
Ace’em Up
Aeyst
Section Q
P Dub
Trigga Tha Don
Vega Villin
Seis Fifth
Fresh
Mr. Grim Reapa
Ya Boy Black Ice
Qwest
J5
Lil Kayouz
Luvy”LV”Murray
Slim goody
GDash
Don Prince
Mikey Jay pka emjay
Cream Da General
Sunni Chiba
Hip-Hop Female
Shy Thoro
Lady Lexi
Ladi Rock
Stichiz
Lady Don
Holliwood
Hip-Hop Group
Crime Street
Felony Set
Tha Bottom Boyz
7th Layer
Phactor & Sismo
Inflowential
Mashtown
Chrome Infantry
Models
Holliwood
Bethany Davis
NadiV
Andrea Luna
Shayna Dixon
Deannia
Favorite Designer
Soshel Clothing
Angel Face Perceptions
Ill Fit
Tracy Reese
Ellie Owen
TV Shows
CJack Runs Presents
Karen Callier, (Imptress Live TV)
DJ Epps
Rhythms
Umtv
Bridge Street
Central Issues
Food For Thought
Business Close-Up
Financial Fitness
Syracuse Sidelines
Producer
Aeyst
Carolina Blu
Dutch Beetz
Edgar Torres
Double Shotta
EmJay
Roc n freeze productions
Seen (Chrome Infantry)
Independent DVD
Cuse DVD Vol 2
America The Beautiful
Urban S.L.A.M., Vol.1 On Dvd
How To Succeed in Urban Fashion
Block Party Madness
(Maverick Entertainment Group )
Durango Films by Ronnie Cramer
International
Fritz’s Polka Band
Don Prince
Deron Feivel – An Independent Musician
Adin
Chava
Online Radio
The Hook UP
Chaka Nweguen Internet Radio
sarfmradio.com
Dj NY& Runnamuck for ear to the streets
globel on worldcastradio.com.
Ya Boy Black Ice
(YBBI Show on .187radio.com)
The Shit That Irks Me
Dancer
Adanfo
No Outlet
Liverpool Dancers
Y.a.t. pak
Sarah Skinner
B-girl Rachel
Hotter than Hot
Choreographer
K.L.M.
Scott Maryniak
Sondra Loring
Adia Whitaker
David Douglas
Elzbieta & Rafal Pawlowski
Mixtape
BuckHead Records
(The Pre Kemistry Mix CD)
Black Liberty Records mixtape
Runnamuck Ear to the streets
Big Hype (Summer Love)
C-Ellis (Piff Series 6)
DJ JUICE Vol 69
Comedian
Kareem Green
Brooklyn Mike
Nikki Carr
Kenny Williams
Dawn B
Rock’n’Roll Original Band
The Andrea Doria
Michael P. Ryan
KILLATON
Caroline Blue
Born Again Rebels
Back Porch Poets
Rancid
Rock & Roll Cover Band
Dead Rose
Page Nine
3 Inch Fury
One Hard Krank
Under The Gun
Photographer
C.C. Bedell
Ron Hill
Ben Addonizio
Della Nohl
Jeffrey Gorney
Dan Stanley
VOTE AT www.usiawards.com.
