(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