PHOTOS: 2019 Steamtown Music Awards ceremony in Scranton (with winners list), 09/12/19

The three-day Electric City Music Conference began its sixth annual weekend with the Steamtown Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 12, matching last year’s massive turnout with even more local musicians and industry professionals packing into The V-Spot in Scranton and filling the front parking lot with support and love for the exceptional music scene of Northeastern Pennsylvania.
With over two hours of red carpet interviews by NEPA Scene that streamed live on Facebook, video by Ionic Development, and music by DJ Hersh spinning all night, the SMAs featured local celebrity presenters giving out awards in 37 different categories and a variety of live performances, including short sets by The Frost, Phriend$, Gabby Borges, Threatpoint, Jordan Ramirez & The Tribe, Black Hole Heart, Alma Mater, Send Request, The Maguas, and The Boastfuls featuring special guest Tatiana.
The 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Carbondale drummer Carl Canedy, known for his decades of music with the legendary metal band The Rods (touring with the likes of Metallica, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Ozzy Osbourne, and Motorhead) in addition to producing classic albums by Anthrax, Overkill, Exciter, Possessed, and Attila. He still performs in local groups like the Jeffrey James Band and recently formed his own band for a solo project.
Live stream videos of Alma Mater, The Maguas, and The Boastfuls with Tatiana follow the photos by Keith Perks of 1120 Studios below.
2019 Steamtown Music Awards winners
Best New Artist: The Maguas
People’s Choice Award: Flaxy Morgan
Acoustic/Solo Artist of the Year: James Barrett
Duo of the Year: The Husty Brothers
Blues Act of the Year: Phyllis Hopkins Electric Trio
Country Act of the Year: Mike Elward
DJ/Electronic Act of the Year of the Year: JBØNAX
Folk/Americana Act of the Year: Gabby Borges
Hip-Hop Act of the Year: Gus the Savage
Indie Rock Act of the Year: Esta Coda
Jam/Funk Act of the Year: Jordan Ramirez & The Tribe
Jazz Act of the Year: Gary Rixner Trio
Metal Act of the Year: Threatpoint
Pop/Top 40 Act of the Year: The Frost
Punk/Hardcore Act of the Year: Ripped Away
Rock/Alternative Act of the Year: Sympotico
Tribute/Cover Act of the Year: A Proud Monkey
Male Vocalist of the Year: Tyler Zeiss
Female Vocalist of the Year: Ellie Rosentel
Guitarist of the Year: Neil Nicastro
Bassist of the Year: Rob Santoro
Drummer of the Year: Stephen Martin
Auxiliary Musician of the Year: Derek Nowak – piano
Video of the Year: Send Request – “Dr. Dare Rides Again”
Album of the Year: University Drive – “Clear”
Song of the Year: Joe Lombardo – “Random Circumstance”
Recording Studio of the Year: SI Studios
Producer/Recording Engineer of the Year: Eric Novroski
Music Publication/Blog of the Year: NEPA Scene
Music Journalist of the Year: Rich Howells
Photographer of the Year: Keith Perks
Videographer of the Year: Jon Edwards
Radio Station/Podcast of the Year: Alt 92.1
Radio/Podcast Personality of the Year: Johnny Popko – Alt-Natives on Alt 92.1
Live Performer of the Year: Traverse the Abyss
Sound Engineer of the Year: Matt Kester
Lifetime Achievement Award: Carl Canedy
Alma Mater performance:
Send Request performance:
The Maguas performance:
The Boastfuls with Tatiana performance:

by Rich Howells
Rich is an award-winning journalist, longtime blogger, photographer, and podcast host. He is the founder and editor of NEPA Scene.