New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

Top Acoustic Artists Celebrated With 2011 JAMMIES

By Gary Wien

originally published: 03/13/2011


(ASBURY PARK, NJ - MARCH 12, 2011) -- George Wirth, Matt Kay, and Emily Grove each took home two awards in the 2nd Annual Jersey Acoustic Music Awards. Held at the Atonement Lutheran Church Hall, the night provided an excellent look inside the state's coffeehouse scene with live performances by 19 artists. Hosted by Anton Daub, the award show attracted a standing room only crowd.

The night featured live sets by Bobby Strange, Michael Brett, Jenny Woods, Keith Monacchio, Sheli Aarden, Michael Dante Summonte, we are, George Wirth, Kacie Baker, Whitney Kelly, Don Lee, Matt Kay, Gerald Edward, Mike Butler, Danny DeFonza, Jim Crawford, Cat Cosentino, and Beannacht. Cara Salimando (Universal/Motown Records) made a special appearance as well.

Many of the artists normally perform in front of small crowds with espresso machines running during their set, but tonight they were the stars of the stage. The crowd was reported to be twice as large as the initial award show held last year. Members of the media including Jim Testa of the Star-Ledger, Jeff Raspe from 90.5 "The Night", and Danny Coleman of "Rock On Radio Show" were among those in attendance. Helen Chantal Pike, editor of "Asbury Park Where Music Lives" signed copies of the recently published book, which was available for purchase at the show.

The night featured great performances from all of the artists. Among the highlights was George Wirth doing the title track off of "The Last Good Kiss" (voted Album of the Year), Matt Kay's "The Very Last Day" (voted "Song of the Year"), and Kacie Baker (voted Top Female Act) assisting George Wirth on a song.

Here is the complete list of winners:
Male Act -- Matt Kay
Female Act -- Kacie Baker
Under 18 Years Old -- Michael Butler
Band/Group -- Thomas Wesley Stern
Male Vocalist -- Gerald Edward
Female Vocalist -- Emily Grove
Rock/Pop/Blues -- Don Lee
Folk/Country -- Michael Brett
Male Songwriter -- George Wirth
Female Songwriter -- Emily Grove
New Act 2010 -- Beannacht
Song Of The Year -- The Very Last Day
Album Of The Year -- George Wirth




Please support the advertisers at New Jersey Stage!
Want info on how to advertise? Click here



About the author:

Gary Wien has been covering the arts since 2001 and has had work published with Jersey Arts, Upstage Magazine, Elmore Magazine, Princeton Magazine, Backstreets and other publications. He is a three-time winner of the Asbury Music Award for Top Music Journalist and the author of Beyond the Palace (the first book on the history of rock and roll in Asbury Park) and Are You Listening? The Top 100 Albums of 2001-2010 by New Jersey Artists. In addition, he runs New Jersey Stage and the online radio station The Penguin Rocks. His personal website is at lightyscorner.com. He can be contacted at [email protected].



You can have your events spotlighted here, whenever someone reads an article about ASBURY PARK, NJ - MARCH 12,

click here for more information


EVENT PREVIEWS

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Buddy Guy on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 8:00pm. At nearly 90 years old, Buddy Guy remains a singular force in American music. Fresh off earning his ninth Grammy® Award in 2026 for Best Traditional Blues Album (Ain't Done with the Blues), the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and one of the last living architects of electric blues will celebrate a historic milestone with the Buddy Guy 90 Tour, featuring select headline performances across North America in 2026.
TOTALLY TUBULAR FESTIVAL 80s New Wave Tour Comes to Atlantic City on August 8th

TOTALLY TUBULAR FESTIVAL 80s New Wave Tour Comes to Atlantic City on August 8th

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Tour organizers for the acclaimed 80's New Wave tour TOTALLY TUBULAR FESTIVAL have announced a line-up change due to the unfortunate cancellation of The Motels. Bow Wow Wow will replace The Motels for some shows and Men Without Hats will replace The Motels for others. The tour comes to the Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena on Saturday, August 8, 2026. The tour's colorful lineup also features Thomas Dolby & The Lost Toy People, A Flock Of Seagulls, The Producers, Animotion, The Escape Club, and Tommy Tutone. 

State Theatre New Jersey presents Buddy Guy on August 8th

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents the legendary Buddy Guy on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 8:00pm. Guy won his 9th career Grammy Award for 2025's Ain't Done With The Blues. Limited tickets remain.

The Vogel presents Early Elton Trio on Saturday

(RED BANK, NJ) -- The Vogel presents Early Elton Trio on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 7:30pm. This is a Tribute to the Elton John, Dee Murray and Nigel Olsson Trio Tours of 1970 – 1972 featuring Jeff Kazee (Southside Johnny + The Asbury Jukes), Rich Pagano (The Fab Faux) and John Conte (Southside Johnny + The Asbury Jukes).
Albert Music Hall presents Pineystock on Sunday

Albert Music Hall presents Pineystock on Sunday

(WARETOWN, NJ) -- Albert Music Hall will be filled with peace, pickin' and harmonies on Sunday, August 9, 2026 as Pineystock returns for a "far out" afternoon celebrating the sounds and spirit of the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Todd Rundgren to perform shows in Englewood, Ocean City, and Red Bank in August

Todd Rundgren to perform shows in Englewood, Ocean City, and Red Bank in August

(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Legendary producer/songwriter/guitarist Todd Rundgren is bringing his 2026 Damned If I Do Tour to the Garden Sate in August. He's got shows at bergenPAC in Englewood on August 8th; Ocean City Music Pier on August 11th; and Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank on August 12th.
The Newton Theatre presents Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives  on August 12th

The Newton Theatre presents Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives on August 12th

(NEWTON, NJ) -- The Newton Theatre presents Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at 7:00pm. In a career spanning over 50 years, dozens of albums, and too many shows to count, Marty Stuart charts a course through new territory at every chance possible.
BoDeans - 40th Anniversary Tour comes to Newton Theatre in August

BoDeans - 40th Anniversary Tour comes to Newton Theatre in August

(NEWTON, NJ) -- BoDeans are celebrating the 40th anniversary of their critically acclaimed debut album, Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams, in 2026. In honor of the anniversary, the band has a special tour planned which comes to The Newton Theatre on Friday, August 14, 2026 at 8:00pm.
Music Box at the Borgata presents The Marshall Tucker Band on August 14th

Music Box at the Borgata presents The Marshall Tucker Band on August 14th

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Music Box at the Borgata presents The Marshall Tucker Band on Friday, August 14, 2026 at 7:30pm.

Christone "Kingfish" Ingram to Headline 2026 Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Christone "Kingfish" Ingram has been announced as the headliner for the 2026 Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival. The free festival will be held on Saturday, August 15th on the Green. The music begins at noon and runs until 10:00pm. The lineup also includes James Langton New York All-Star Big Band, Richard Baratta Gotham City Latin/Jazz Septet, LaBamba and the Hubcaps, and Dylan Triplett.

 

MORE EVENTS


Buddy Guy

Saturday, August 08, 2026 @ 8:00pm
State Theatre New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ


Kat Riggins And Her Blues Revival

Saturday, August 08, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ


EagleMania – The World’s Greatest Eagles Tribute Band

Wednesday, August 12, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
Morristown, NJ


Cimarron 615

Thursday, August 13, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ


Mary Fahl

Saturday, August 15, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ



 

Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info