The 20th Annual Asbury Music Awards

The 20th Annual Asbury Music Awards at The Stone Pony, Asbury Park, NJ, December 13th, 2012

This is one of those times when my usual approach of not taking any notes and just sitting and taking it all in really isn't going to work.  So much happened at the Asbury Music Awards last night that I couldn't possibly discuss it all in a single review.  The night did have a unifying theme, though:  Asbury Park has a thriving music scene, and everyone that's a part of it -- bands, venues, journalists, websites, fans -- needs to stick together and to support one another if they want to nurture good music in Asbury Park.

Originally scheduled for November 8th, the awards were moved to last night as a result of Sandy.  WBJB's Jeff Raspe was the evening's host, and awards were given throughout the evening in between performances by some of the area's most popular acts.  Colton Kayser, nominated for "Top Male Acoustic Act," led off the performances with an excellent solo, acoustic set and set the tone for the evening.  Other performances that stood out for me were those by The Sandy Mack Blues Band (who won "Top Blues Band"), The Amboys, and Toms River indie rockers Elevator Art, whose "Tent City" won for "Song of the Year."

Elevator Art were one of the bands I had gone to check out, and I wasn't disappointed.  They did an energetic set during which they employed a washboard, a saucepan, and a plastic water jug for percussion.  They played conga drums set up off the stage on the floor and incorporated some prog rocky flute.  If I can, I'll try catching them again when they headline the "Revolution in Just Listening Habitat for Humanity Benefit" in Keyport on January 5th.

Awards-wise, it was a big night for bands Brick+Mortar ("Top Bassist," "Top Drummer," "Top Indie Rock Act") and River City Extension ("Top Americana," "Top Live Performance," "Top Local Release"), Quincy Mumford ("Top Male Vocalist," "Top Pop Band"), and website Speak Into My Good Eye ("Top Music Website," "Top Journalist" for Chris Rotolo).  I had a brief fanboy moment as I was leaving when I approached a somewhat startled Joe Michelini of River City Extension to tell him how much I loved his record this year.  He'd just accepted the award for "Top Americana," but he was extremely humble and gracious.

There were over 30 awards in total ranging from those already mentioned to "Top Multi-Instrumentalist, Other Instruments" and "Top Local Club DJ"; but, while the list of nominees was long and diverse, I was struck by the absence of any real electronica or hip-hop on the current Asbury scene.  Asbury Park is still very much a rock and roll town.  Based on last night, though, I'm convinced that the city would welcome acts in all genres.

"How many of you haven't been to an Asbury Music Awards before?" asked Jeff Raspe at one point in the evening.  Several hands went up.  "We've been doing this for 20 years!  Where have you been?"  Last night was my first time, and I couldn't believe I'd missed it all of these years.  It won't be my last.