originally published: 03/08/2026
(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- From 1993 through 2018, the Asbury Music Awards celebrated the best of the local music scene. On February 20, 2026, the celebration returned, rebranded as the Asbury Park Music Awards now presented by the Asbury Park Music Foundation (APMF) with the night serving as a benefit for the organization.
Awards in over 30 categories were presented at The Stone Pony along with performances by Des and The Swagmatics, The Gay Blades, Sunshine Spazz Gods, Heather Hills, Blaise, Geenetica, Williams Honor, Emerson Woolf, Rachel Ana Dobken, Nick Francis, Renee Maskin, Soulfood, and Joseph Alton Miller.
The night was hosted by Taylor Allen and is expected to become an annual event again.
Proceeds from the Asbury Park Music Awards night will directly support APMF’s mission to provide life-changing music education for under-resourced youth across Monmouth County.
Founded in 1991 by Scott Stamper and Peter Mantas of The Saint, the Asbury Park Music Awards have long been a cornerstone of local music culture. Known as “the Heart of the Asbury Music Scene,” The Saint closed in 2022, and this year founder Scott Stamper has officially passed the torch to APMF, with his full support, to continue the tradition.
Here is a list of the 2025 Asbury Park Music Award winners:
Emerging Artist of the Year- Band | Surfing For Daisy
Emerging Artist of the Year- Solo | Monte Maybe
Established Artist of the Year- Band | Yawn Mower
Established Artist of the Year- Solo | Joe P
EP of the Year | Emerson Woolf & the Wishbones- To Easy To Kill
Album of the Year | Surfing for Daisy- Surfing for Daisy
Song of the Year | Blaise- Tan Lines
Music Video of the Year | Blaise- Tan Lines
Live Performer of the Year- Band | Surfing For Daisy
Live Performer of the Year- Solo | Blaise
Americana/Folk Artist of the Year | Surfing For Daisy
Hip Hop Artist of the Year | Kuf Knotz & Christine Elise
Indie / Alt Rock Artist of the Year | Teen Idle
Jam/Funk/Groove Artist of the Year | Fungkshui
Pop Artist of the Year | Blaise
Punk/Ska Artist of the Year | NOT YER BABY
Rock/Garage Artist of the Year | Bobby Mahoney
R&B/ Soul Artist of the Year | Alexander Simone & Whodat?
Vocalist of the Year | Deseree Spinks
Rapper of the Year | Kuf Knotz
Spoken Word Performer of the Year | Kuf Knotz
Guitarist of the Year | James McCaffrey
Bassist of the Year | Wojo (Sara Wojciehowski)
Drummer of the Year | Biff Swenson
Keyboardist of the Year | Ryan Gregg
Horns/Strings/Other Player of the Year | Ian Gray
Multi-Instrumentalist of the Year | Cranston Dean
In addition to the above, they presented a few awards to cover the years after the Asbury Music Awards were last presented.
EP of the Gap Years | Emerson Woolf & the Wishbones - Not A Good Woman
Album of the Gap Years | Dentist - Making a Scene
Song of the Gap Years | Alexander Simone & Whodat? - Even Now
Music Video of the Gap Years | Renee Maskin - Scrimshaw
And a few special awards were presented to:
"The Saint" Music Community Award | Scott Stamper & Meg Donoghue Kelly
Asbury Park Music Ambassador | Reagan Richards
Asbury Park Music Ambassador | Dr. Geena Buono
Asbury Park Music Ambassador | Chill Smith
COLUMNS
BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music 3/9/26
Lazlo, founder of BlowUpRadio.com (an online radio station based around New Jersey artists), shines a light on some of the many new releases from NJ based musicians each week with this column. This week Lazlo takes a look at new releases by The Cucumbers; Dr. Void; best dressed ghost; Laree H. Cisco; DDA; Mourning Coffee, aevina; and Psychtooth. Plus a look back at "Don't You Move" by The Mighty Alrighty.
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