EXCLUSIVE: 2017 Steamtown Music Award winners announced at V-Spot in Scranton
The fourth annual Electric City Music Conference kicked off on Thursday, Sept. 14 with the Steamtown Music Awards at The V-Spot in Scranton, a huge party filled with local musicians of all genres and generations that spilled out into the street and raged long into the night.
With red carpet interviews by NEPA Scene and music by DJ Hersh spinning all night, the SMAs also featured live performances by Luna Soltera, Static in the Attic, Permanence, Big Country, Lucas Hex, Behind the Grey acoustic, Elephants Dancing, and a tribute to Jane Train by R.J. Scouton and Behind the Grey featuring Zhach Kelsch and members of LondonForce. Celebrating their 20th anniversary this year, Nanticoke hardcore band Strength for a Reason accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Exclusive photos from the Steamtown Music Awards and the entire three-day Electric City Music Conference are forthcoming but, for now, here is the full list of winners announced on Thursday night.
2017 Steamtown Music Awards winners
Lifetime Achievement Award: Strength for a Reason
Best New Artist: WethePeople
Acoustic Solo Act of the Year: Jackson Vee
Blues Act of the Year: Teddy Young
Country Act of the Year: R.J. Scouton
DJ of the Year: DJ Hersh
Duo of the Year: Tiffany Mongiello and Johnny D
Electronic Act of the Year: Penpal
Folk/Americana Act of the Year: Tony Halchak
Hip-Hop Act of the Year: Crimzn
Indie Rock Act of the Year: Rosary Guild
Jam/Reggae/Funk Act of the Year: Elephants Dancing
Jazz Act of the Year: Alex Marino
Metal Act of the Year: The Hill You Die On
Pop/Top 40 Act of the Year: LondonForce
Punk/Hardcore Act of the Year: Pave the Way
Rock/Alternative Rock Act of the Year: Aaron Fink and the Fury
Tribute/Cover Act of the Year: Grayson Drive
Male Vocalist of the Year: Rick Gillette
Female Vocalist of the Year: Shannon Walling
Guitarist of the Year: John Canjar
Bassist of the Year: Abby Vail
Drummer of the Year: Zhach Kelsch
Auxiliary Musician of the Year: Steve Werner – Handpan
Video of the Year: Grant Williams – “Alpha Centauri”
Song of the Year: University Drive – “Only in the Way”
Album of the Year: Jung Bergo – “Everything New Is Old Again”
People’s Choice Award: Blind Choice
Recording Studio of the Year: After Image Studios
Music Publication/Blog of the Year: NEPA Scene
Music Journalist of the Year: Rich Howells, editor of NEPA Scene
Photographer of the Year: Jesse Faatz
Local Radio Station of the Year: 97.9X
Local Radio Personality of the Year: Mike Duffy of 97.9X
Podcast of the Year: NEPA Scene Podcast
Live Streamer of the Year: Alex O’Brien
Fan of the Year: Joe Foley
Listen to ECMC founders Joe Caviston and Kenneth Norton talk about the conference and the awards in depth in Episode 26 of the NEPA Scene Podcast:
See NEPA Scene’s SMAs photos and the list of 2016 winners here. See our photos from the entire 2016 conference here and stream or download last year’s ECMC panel discussions as free podcasts here.
