As you can see below, 2023 was a sensational year for bands and musicians in the 757 region.
Voting will begin this week. Stay tuned to our Facebook page for announcement.
Note: Most of the categories required potential nominees to have released a single, EP, album, or music video in 2023. We also considered a live performance opening for a national act. Inevitably, with such a region rich in local bands (without PR firms promoting them), we may have overlooked someone, and for this reason we’ve included a ‘write-in” option for each category. Just fill in the blank box.
Good luck to all and be sure to attend the 2024 Veer Music Awards presented by the City of Hampton’s Department of Economic Development on Sunday, February 4 at 6:00 PM sharp and The Vanguard Brewpub & Distillery in Hampton. Additional sponsorship makes this event possible from Live Nation/Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater in Virginia Beach, Norfolk Festevents, Southern Bank, and The Vanguard/Spacemakers.
Album of the Year
Roberta Lea, “Too Much of a Woman”
Anthony Rosano & The Conqueroos, “Cheat The Devil”
Jae Sinnett’s Zero to 60 Quartet, “Commitment”
tyler donavan, “Gasping4air”
Richard David Spano & Jim Bulleit, “In The Shadow of Cupid’s Arrow”
Berries, “To Autumn (Moon)”
Wilke$, “12:34 Lux”
Demons, “Under the Western Heel”
Jarrett Beeler, “Anxiety City”
Kevin Wade Turner, “Mexican Waltzes & Random Fusion”
Tret Fure, “Lavender Moonshine”
The Dual Gravitons, “The Speed of Boredom”
Luca Burgalassi, “Back To The Roots”
Mark Dunn, “Top Gear”
Esbern Snare, “Does It Feel Like I’m Not There?”
Quicksilver Night, “Ptichka”
The Bread Collectors, “Episode 3”
Eddie Williams, “Acceptance”
EP of the Year
Sunny Moonshine, “Mirage”
The James Henry Morgan Gang, “The James Morgan Henry Gang”
J. Simunds, “Ode To 29 Years”
Exploding Sun, “The Unreachable Star”
Sea of Souls, “Dreamland”
Raspy Soul, “Konstructed”
LILI D, “Free”
Ward’s Pocket, “Midnight in the Garden”
Turncoat Syndicate, “Lost Weekend Pt 1”
Mr. Fang & The Darktones, “Movie Monster”
Song of the Year
BJ Griffin, “It’s A New Day”
Roberta Lea, “Girl Trip”
Clementine, “Tokyo”
tyler donavan, “Take The Lead”
Anthony Rosano & The Conqueroos, “Rosalita”
Ann Gray, “No Good Partier”
Cultivated Mind w/Pitmaster Q, “Honey”
Akeylah Simone, “When In Rome”
Celeste Kellogg, “Save a Dance For Me This Christmas”
Stacie Stephens & Everafter, “Pure As Rain”
Billy Mercury, “Friend in Me”
Step Pets, “It’s a Race!”
Shormey, “Do You? 2”
John Michael, “Letter To Pops”
Infinite Flava, “Sandy Toes & Salty Kisses”
Jared Farrell, “Circles in the Dark”
Claire Heilig, “What Do You Wear To a Breakup”
Berries, “X Marks The Spot”
La’Nique, “Embrace”
Red Weather, “Start Again”
The Nerve Scheme, “Kicking and Screaming”
The Damnage (John Conkle & Dahna Rowe of Car 44), “Kill The Light”
Monty Sweet, “Sweet Monty”
Sonny Strongarm, “Back Enough”
Jarrett Beeler, “Loredo”
Karl Werne, “Take Me Back”
Berries, “The Scarecrow”
Uglyography, “Blundercheck”
Quicksilver Night, “Latibulate”
Dharma Initiative, “Ambiendance”
Emily Fraser, “The Missing Part”
Music Video of the Year
Celeste Kellogg, “Save a Dance For Me This Christmas”
tyler donavan, “Crescendo”
Magg Dylan, “GTFO”
Sunny Moonshine, “2Tone” featuring Lex Lucent
Jarrett Beeler, “Laredo”
United Souls, “You Look Good”
Sonny Strongarm, “Live It Up”
Karl Werne, “Take Me Back”
Sunny & Gabe, “Tropics”
The Righteous Few, “Out of the Smoke”
Roberta Lea, “Too Much of a Woman”
Quicksilver Night, “Latibulate”
La’Nique feat Raspy Soul, “It Was You”
Uglyography, “Blundercheck”
Paul Norfleet, “The Original Man”
Red Weather, “Start Again”
Suburban Key Party, “Sticks & Stones”
Allegra DuChaine, “Drive”
Step Pets, “Shy Away”
Emily Fraser, “Controller”
The Muddy Gems, “Radio Go-Go”
Mike & Amy Aiken, “Timber She’s Hauled”
Infinite Flava, “Sandy Toes & Salty Kisses”
Skip Friel, “All My Friends”
Michael Hensen, “Lost Again”
Tim the Wzrd, “Calypso”
Mr. Fang & The Darktones, “Green Woman From Outer Space”
Jazz Traditional
Eddie Williams: Released the album “Acceptance”
Justin Kauflin: Released the song “Coming Home”
The Virginia Experiment: Performed at the VA Genius Jazz Festival
Jae Sinnett’s Zero to 60 Quartet: Released the album “Commitment” and a live holiday record with guest Randy Brecker
Jimmy Masters: Curated the Towne Bank Jazz Series at Sandler Center
John Toomey: Served as music director and pianist for VA Art Festival’s Attucks jazz series
Jazz Smooth
Best Kept Secret: Released the track “Da Ride”
Stephanie K Sanders: Released the album “I’m Done”
Matt Willard: Released the single “Nightcrawler” and headlined Ferguson Center
J. Staton: Featured on the cover of CoffeeTalk Jazz Magazine
R&B/Soul
tyler donavan: Released the album “Gasping4air” and video of “Crescendo”
Raspy Soul: Released the EP “Konstructed”
La’Nique: Released the single “Embrace” and a music video for “It Was You”
Billy Mercury: Released the single “Friend in Me”
Akeyla Simone: Nominated for several ISSA Awards in Atlanta and released a variety of singles
BJ Griffin: Released the single “It’s A New Day”
Wilke$: Released the album “12:34 Lux” and the single “No Friends”
Darius Ford: Released the album “Maturity”
Infinite Flava: Release the single “Sandy Toes & Salty Kisses”
LILI D: Released the EP “Free”
Aviana: Released an acoustic version of her single “I’m in Love”
Hip Hop
J. Simunds: Released the 4-song EP “Ode To 29 Years”
Sonny Strongarm: Released the music video “Live It Up”
Ghetto Chris: Smithfield’s own released the album “Four Plus Four”
Chuck Black: Suffolk rapper released “Cold & Wicked” and the album “Berta’s Son”
Young Crazy: Released the EP “Stop Asking Me Questions”
Elzmoneymuzik: Released the album “Perfect Timing”
Gospel/Inspirational
Voices of Fire feat. Pharrell: Released the song “Joy (Unspeakable)”
The New Pearly Gates: Released the single “Another Chance”
Brian Elder: Released the EP “Passenger Side”
Reformed: Released the album “Reformed 101 Live”
World Music
Mosquito Cabaret: Released the Eastern European inspired song “All Crooks Are Cousins”
Cultivated Mind: Opened for Common Kings at The NorVa and released “Honey” w/Pitmaster Q
United Souls: Released the single “You Look Good”
Mile Hoyle: Released a 2-song CD of accordion music inspire by the French film “Amelie”
One Culture: Released the single “Ready to Live” with Mellodose
Tidewater Pipes & Drums: Performed at Norfolk Scope as part of the Virginia International Tattoo
Tim The Wzrd: Released a music video of “Calypso” featuring 510shine, Equinox The Ubiquitous & DNA-K
IndiePop
Berries: Released two albums, “To Autumn (Sun)” and To Autumn (Moon)”
Step Pets: Released the singles “It’s a Race!” And “Shy Away”
Uglyography: Release a trio of albums — “Benjamin Blundercheck & The Poisoned Pawn,” “Hits & Misses,” and “Quirkadelic Radio”
Esbern Snare: Released the album “Does It Feel Like I’m Not There?”
Turnover: Released a remix of “Ain’t Love Heavy”
SICMaN of Virginia: Released the singles “Find My Way” and “Wheelin’ and Dealin’”
Pop
Ann Gray: Released the album “The Half of It” and several singles
Roberta Lea: Released the album and music video “Too Much of a Woman”
Emily Fraser: Released the singles “The Missing Part” and “Controller”
Sunny Moonshine: Released the EP “Mirage”
Jared Farrell: Released the single “Circles in the Dark”
Shormey: Released the single “Do You? 2”
Clementine: Released the tracks “Tokyo” and “Rabbit on the Moon”
Lorraine Santalucia: Released the single “Naughty”
Allegra DuChaine: Released the song and music video “Drive”
Nell Dare: Released several singles including “Feed the Ghost”
NOclue: Released the EP “Oxford Circle Redux”
Metal
As The World Burns: Released the song “Realized”
The New Mutiny: Released several singles including “Night Nurse” and “A Cure for Hemophilia”
Chad Bailey: Released the EP “Hymns of the Wandering Soul”
Wilder Graves & The Crypts: Released the EP “Angel of Death”
SiNN: Released the EP “Excessively Insufficient” and the single “Welcome (Our Roght)
Ursus Maximus: The Norfolk death metal group released the 3-song EP “The Apex Shredator”
Hostile Winthin: Opened for Saliva
Magg Dylan: Released the song and video “GTFO” and opened for Saliva
Rock
Exploding Sun: Released the EP “The Unreachable Star”
Dharma Initiative: Released the song “Ambiendance”
Turncoat Syndicate: Released the EP “Lost Weekend Pt 1”
Jarrett Beeler: Released the album “Anxiety City”
Kevin Wade Turner: Released the album “Mexican Waltzes & Random Fusion”
Sea of Souls: Released the EP “Dreamland”
John Michael: Released the single “Letter To Pops”
Ever After: Released the single “Pure As Rain”
Allen Hudson and the Halfmoons: Released the single “Indigo”
The Righteous Few: Released the single and music video “Out of the Smoke”
Joe Heilman: Released the EP “Magic Beans”
Laurel Wilson: Released the single “Nicotine”
Breaker Boy: A side project of Johnny Smallwood and Roddy Lane, they released the single “The Siren”
Skip Friel: Released the single “All My Friends”
Classic Rock
Ward’s Pocket: Released the EP “Midnight in the Garden”
The James Henry Morgan Gang: Released a self-titled 5-song EP
Quicksilver Night: Released the album “Ptichka”
Mark Dunn: Released the guitar-driver album “Top Gear”
Jolly Roger Duo: Released a series of single including “Take You Down” and “Vampire Girl”
Jim Bulleit: Released the album “Windows” and single “Angel’s Lament”
Richard David Spano & Jim Bulleit: Released the album “In The Shadow of Cupid’s Arrow”
Crimson Decree: Released the single “Dreams”
Roy Ira Moats and the Moats Dogs: Released the single “The Uninvited Mourner”
Richard David Spano: Released the single “Island of Dreams”
Rockabilly/Retro
Lucky 757: Released the single “Pink & Black” with “How Could It Be” on the flip-side
Mr. Fang & The Darktones: Released the EP “Movie Monster”
The Futuros: Released a series of singles including “”Little Green Man”
The Muddy Gems: Release the 3-song EP “Kitchen Sink”
Punk/Garage
The Dual Gravitons: Released the album “The Speed of Boredom”
Red Weather: Released several singles including “Fake Friends” and “Start Again”
Demons: Released the album “Under the Western Heel”
ALPHA: Released the single “On The Night of Halloween”
Jon Shuemaker: Prolific songwriter released the edgy “Living in Slow-Mo”
Starving Artists: Remastered and digitally re-released “Acid Rain” from some 40 years ago
Psychedelic
The Bread Collectors: Released the albums “Episode 3” and “Episode 2”
Zach Chernitzer: Released the album “Anodyne” and numerous singles
Snake Mountain Revival: Released the single “Or Look The Other Way” and “The Verge”
NB/CB: Released the song and music video “The Message”
Ambient/Experimental
Karacell: Performed at the Ambient Music Showcase at The Z
Jon Shuemaker: Released a series of experimental singles including “Inner Worlds”
Crash Mosaic: Made his live debut at the Ambient Music Showcase
BK Stank: Released the album “Synthesis”
Mister Lo Figh: Released the EP “Rain Drop Blues”
From Overseas: Performed at the Ambient Music Showcase and co-released “Live At The Gothic Chapel”
Country
Celeste Kellogg: Released the single “Like That” and “Save a Dance For Me This Christmas”
Patrick Luley: Released the EP “Letters to Heaven”
Claire Heilig: Released the single “What Do You Wear to a Breakup” and appeared on NBC’s “The Voice”
Buck Shot: Headlined at Elevation 27
Daniel Jordan Band: Released the single “One More”
Folk/Acoustic
Ron Fetner: Released the album “Down a Gravel Road”
The Storyweavers: Released the song “Call It A Lie”
Tina Micula: Released the single “Just 3 Words”
Devil Scott: Released the EP “Short Stack” and several singles including “A Drunkard’s Prayer to No One”
Tret Fure: Released the album “Lavender Moonshine”
Dustin Furlow: Released the album “Serene”
Paul Norfleet: Released a music video for “The Original Man”
Jennifer Gammill: Released the song “I Wish”
Mike & Amy Aiken: Released two music videos including “Timber She’s Hauled”
Ben Phelps: Released 3 singles including “Something to Hold”
Rob Oliver: Released the singles “Bliss” and “What Will Be Will Be”
Bobby Black Hat Walters & Larry Berwald: Release the single “Mary Did You Know”
Karl Werne: Release a music video for “Take Me Back”
Chelsea Hanson: Released the single “I Do”
Mark Rogers: Opened on the road for John Ford Coley at Rams Head Onstage
Blues
Bobby Black Hat Walters: Nominated for 5 ISSA Awards in Atlanta and released several singles
Anthony Rosano & The Conqueroos: Released the album “Cheat The Devil” and toured nationally
JD3 Band: Released the singles “The River” and “Over the Line”
Luca Burgalassi: Released the album “Back to the Roots”
Monty Sweet: Released the singles “Sweet Monty” and “Heaven”
Cover Band
Soft Plan Band
The Chong Band
Trevor Daniel & The Reef
Krunch
Childz Play
Romonta & Friends
TA Gatling & The Guns
JD Silvia Band
Gina Payne & The Step Up Connection
Hot Cakes
Rocky 7
Wonderland
Thru with Therapy
Michael Clark Band
Seamless
Vinyl Headlights
The Detonators
Moaning Lisas
The Band Vontrelle
Free For All
Better By Tuesday
The Janitors
Tailgate Down
Tribute/Themed Band
Midnight Rain (Taylor Swift Tribute)
Wilder Horses (Rolling Stones Tribute)
Evil Woman: The American ELO
Barry Manilow’s Wardrobe
Nashville Nights Band
The Deloreans
Nature’s Child
The Champagne Band
WOAH!
Last Fair Deal
Good Shot Judy
Glasgow Kiss
Radio 80s
Brasswind
Grateful Jed
Cover Solo/Duo
Bryan Dunn
Mike Gombas
Lewis McGehee
Fixity
Steve Forss
Karl Werne
Dakota & Jasper Smith
Red Stapler Duo
Matt Thomas
The Blue Mile
Mike Proffitt
Troy Breslow
Wine Dark Sea
Dan Pellegrino
Nate Sacks
Derek Smith
Felicia Hoyos
Jason Cale
Live Band
BJ Griffin: Performed on America’s Got Talent, opened for Macy Gray at The NorVa, toured in Europe.
Anthony Rosano & The Conqueroos: Toured with Tab Benoit. Opened for Ace Frehley and Humble Pie.
Demons: Headlined at The NorVa
Good Shot Judy: Toured the US and sold-out 4 consecutive nights at Kimball Theater with its holiday show.
Claire Heilig: Performed on NBC’s The Voice
Roberta Lea: Traveled with Black Ol’ Opry Tour
Celeste Kellogg: Performed at the Patriotic Festival, Richmond Raceway, Martinsville Raceway, and other big events
Mark Dunn: Opened for Zebra and Skunk Baxter
Brasswind: Performed the hits of Chicago and Earth, Wind & Fire with Symphonicity at Sandler Center
The Fuzz Band: Opened with smooth jazz players Paul Taylor and Jackiem Joyner at The Attucks
Rocky 7: Opened for Living Colour at New Realm
Buck Shot: Headlined at Elevation 27
Jae Sinnett’s Zero to 60 Quartet
Open Mic
Hilton Tavern
CIPHER Tuesdays @ Noir
Stuft
Big Pink/Victorian Station
Sunset Grill
Jazz Jam @ The Roads Bistro
Elation Brewing
The Venue on 35th
Creek Bar
Fisher’s Neighborhood Kitchen
Abbey Road
Froggies
Live Music Venue (Bar)
Taphouse Grill
Ballyhoos
Brothers Norfolk
The Roads Bistro
Noir
South Beach Grill
Creek Bar
Scandals Live
Froggies
Jerry’s IR
Rivers Casino
Old Beach Tavern
The Famous Venue
Riffhouse Pub
Calypso Bar & Grill
Cafe Stella
Decoy’s
Big Woody’s Chesapeake Square
Live Music Venue (Brewery)
The Bunker by Young Veterans
Elation Brewing
Smartmouth NFK Warehouse
The Vanguard Brewpub & Distillery
Big Ugly Brewing
New Realm Brewing Company
Billsburg Brewing
Smartmouth Pilot House
Afterglow Brewing
MoMac Brewing
Alewerks Brewing Co
Live Music Series
The Bobby Black Hat Series at Ferguson Center
Live on Atlantic
Towne Bank Jazz Series @ Sandler Center
Out of the Box Series at Sandler Center
Acoustic Carnival @ The Coffee Shoppe
YNOT Wednesdays
Sunsets on the River @ Hermitage Museum
Live On the Lawn @ Taste
Sunset Thursdays @ The Pavilion
Hampton Block Party
Suffolk TGIF Concert Series
Port Warwick Summer Concert Series
Summer Music Series @ New Realm Brewing Company
Music Event
LAVA Halloween Extravaganza
Myra Smith & Friends Christmas Show & Toy Drive
Noel: Good Shot Judy at Kimball Theater
NorFOLK Fest
Hampton Holiday Universe
Smartmouth Pressed Fest
Vaughn But Not Forgotten
Michael Goldberg & Friends w/Teddy Jack
Porchella
Veterans Band Aid Music Festival
Downtown Hampton’s All Day Reggae
Fair Trade Festival @ Elation
Neptune Festival
Stockley Gardens Fall Arts Festival
Harborfest Boathouse Experience
Ambient Music Festival @ The Z
Live Sound Tech
Rome Gehrig
Jim Palacio
Ian Janes
Michael “Rocky” Graziano
Fraraji Jackson
Shannon Leggette
Daniel Aguiar
Brian Boozer Jahboo
Vincent James
Vincent Wynn
Xavier Pun Parker
Jack Gallagher
Richard Spano
Jake Ryan
Carter White
Live Lighting Tech
LiNk Terry
Chris White
Todd Cooke
Jim Palacio
Rome Gehrig
Fraraji Jackson
Steve Kudlz Hathaway
Matthew Cockrill
Ian Janes
Photography Posed
Will Clarke: “Turncoat Syndicate”
Pete Federico: “Anthony Rosano and The Conqueroos”
Robert Peck: “WOAH”
Michael Spencer: “Eight Inner Gates”
Wendy Woodell: “Barry Manilow’s Wardrobe”
Summer Lee: “Eight Inner Gates”
Jaybird: “Bloom DJ”
George Everett: “The Storyweavers”
Michael Iwanoski: “EverAfter”
Photography Live
Robert Peck: “Curtis Cowles and Brad Garrett from Buckshot performing at New Realm in Virginia Beach”
Jaybird: “The Lazy Dangers at Chicho’s Backstage”
Pete Federico: “Jason Cale at Old Beach Tavern”
Wendy Woodell: “The Daniel Jordan Band at The Vanguard”
Summer Lee: “Crazy Daze”
Kimberly Granger: “Edward Williams of The Jason Cale Band”
Michael Spencer: “Danica Delorean with Krunch”
Alex Ray: “Pretty Loko & Shuntell Diverse”
Dave Taylor: “Anthony Rosano and the Conqueroos at 17th Street Stage”
Greg Hardison: “Buckshot VB band members, Nick Thomas and Dan Johnson performing live on stage during the Veterans Band Aid Music Festival 2023”
Michael Iwanoski: “Anthony Rosano”
George Everett: “Lewis and Kayce”
George Marsh: “David Morgan with RIOTT taken June 25, 2023 @ Revolution Golf & Grille in Williamsburg”
