Jersey Acoustic Music (JAM) Awards show, presented by Anton Daub of Espresso Joe’s Cafe (Keyport, NJ) and local musician and promoter Cook Smith, has announced the nominees for its third annual installment of this celebratory evening, which is set to take place on Saturday, April 29th at the Atonement Lutheran Church in Asbury Park (308 First Ave.).
Emily Grove and Kacie Baker fronted a field of talented songstresses that includes the likes of Jerzy Jung, Cat Cosentino, Lo Kloza, and Jo Wymer to name a few, with five nominations apiece, sharing such categories as Best Album, Best Song, Top Female Performer, and Top Female Songwriter.
Michael Brett leads the way for the penmen with five nominations, his total matched by a Top New Artist nominee in Kevin Basko, a young six string slinger that’s taken the scene by storm after departing from his former outfit Finale Hill.
A nominee for Top Acoustic Duo, Beannacht was one of the leaders in JAM Awards nominations as the couple and its members, Deirdre Forest and Tom Johnston, account for six nominations, including individual nods for Forest as Top Female Songwriter and Johnston for Top Male Songwriter.
However, it was the partners in life and music, The Monacchios (Keith and Sheli Arden-Monacchio) that were tapped most by this committee as the pair received seven nominations for Best Album (Wedding Album), Best Song (“Anywhere”), Top Duo/Band, Top Male Songwriter, Top Female Songwriter, Top Folk Act, and Top Male Vocalist.
Doors open at 4 p.m. on the 29th with a red carpet ceremony that will end at 4:45 p.m. Guests and attendees are to be seated at 5 p.m. when the festivities will commence. All in assemblage are encouraged to bring a canned food donation for Musicians On A Mission and the Chruch Food Bank charities. A cover charge of $10 ($5 for performers) is to be paid upon admission and includes dinner and a drink.
A list of performers is still to come and you can vote for your favorite nominees here.
