Published by New Jersey Stage
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
EVENT PREVIEWS
Prudential Center presents Reggae stars Beres Hammond and Beenie Man on August 20th
(NEWARK, NJ) -- Newark will see a night of reggae's best when Beres Hammond and Beenie Man perform live at Prudential Center on Saturday, August 20, 2026 at 8:00pm. Experience the artistry of Beres Hammond, one of Jamaica's most esteemed vocalists, as he graces the stage with Marcia Griffiths and Baby Cham. It will be an exceptional evening featuring the captivating performances of reggae music, showcasing soulful melodies and heartfelt expressions.
MPAC presents Glen Burtnik's Summer of Love Concert on August 20th
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Relive the memories, share the spirit and celebrate the songs of the Woodstock Generation when Glen Burtnik's Summer of Love concert comes to Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) on Thursday, August 20, 2026 at 8:00pm.
Middletown Arts Center presents an Indoor Summer Nights Singer-Songwriter Showcase on August 20th
(MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- The Middletown Arts Center invites music lovers to an Indoor Summer Nights Concert: Singer/Songwriter Showcase on Thursday, August 20, 2026 in the MAC Theater. Enjoy an evening of original music and exceptional live performances from some of New Jersey’s talented singer-songwriters, including Shotgun Bill, Dan Toye, Christian Beach, Michael Brett, Erika Sherger, Frank Patrouch, Jim Crawford, Roger Gardella, Kevin Liebkemann, and Stu Coogan. Showtime is 7:00pm.
Hunterdon Hills Playhouse presents Vegas Country Show
(HAMPTON, NJ) -- Hunterdon Hills Playhouse presents Vegas Country Show August 21-23, 2026. Get ready for a night of country hits, high energy, and pure star power as Vegas Country brings the music of Shania Twain and Tim McGraw to life.
WBJB's Songwriters on the Beach series presents Nicole Atkins on August 27th
(BRADLEY BEACH, NJ) -- WBJB's Songwriters on the Beach presents Nicole Atkins on Thursday, August 27, 2026 at 7:00pm. Cory Blair will open the night. The free outdoor concert takes place at the Newark Avenue Beach in Bradley Beach. ** The show was rescheduled from July 16th due to the Air Quality Alert issued across New Jersey.
51st Annual New Jersey Folk Festival to Take Place August 29th
(SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The New Jersey Folk Festival (NJFF) is back for the 51st year on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at Davidson's Mill Pond Park in South Brunswick. The event is free and open to the public. It runs from 11:00am to 5:00pm.
The Strand presents Matt Stone as Elvis on August 29th
(LAKEWOOD, NJ) -- Most 22-year-olds are chasing the next trend, scrolling through TikTok, and binging Love Island. Matt Stone has spent the last decade looking in the opposite direction.
McCarter Theatre Center presents Mei Semones on September 4th
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- McCarter Theatre Center presents Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Mei Semones in the Berlind Theatre on Friday, September 4, 2026 at 7:30pm. Drawing on her background in jazz guitar and her Japanese heritage, she blends inventive harmonies, intricate rhythms, and bilingual lyricism into a sound that is both intimate and exploratory.
51st NJ Clearwater Festival to Take Place Labor Day Weekend in Asbury Park
(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Friends of Clearwater invites everyone to start their Labor Day Weekend at its free 51st Annual Clearwater Festival Saturday September 5, 2026, a late summer, family-friendly celebration of great live music, Mother Earth and more in Sunset Park near the ocean in Asbury Park.
The Machine performs Pink Floyd at The Newton Theatre on September 5th
(NEWTON, NJ) -- The Machine Performs Pink Floyd on Saturday, September 5, 2026 at the Newton Theatre. The band has forged a nearly 40 year reputation of extending the musical legacy of Pink Floyd. Showtime is 8:00pm.
FEATURED EVENTS
