I received the Upstate Music Awards “864 Award” and dedicate it to YOU, the real supporters of this music scene!
I’m simply stunned that I was nominated, and then selected from a list of worthy individuals and groups who represent and support the Upstate music scene, and even more surprised to have actually won the UMA 864 Award which was presented last night at the Upstate Music Awards at The Peace Center!
While I do whatever I can when I can to help out our music community, I’m no more deserving than any one of awesome nominees such as Jay Spivey who has put in countless hours promoting the music scene in Fete Magazine, or the Upstate Music Mine who has produced dozens and dozens of podcasts that have given exposure to a slew of musicians, or the talented Lecretia Ann who is loved for her contributions, or Vaughn Newman Dance who educates and enlightens through beautiful dance.
The reality is, I’m just a cog in the machine – we all work together to help build us up!
In fact, I would like to dedicate this award to YOU, the real supporters of our scene. The people who get out and see the bands who are performing and buy their music. Please, keep doing that!
I have a challenge for you: Please, when you are considering where to go for lunch or dinner, think about a venue that offers live music. Spend your hard earned money there instead of Corporate Burgers, because, without the venues, the artists who were represented last night will have no place to perform their music, whether it is from the heart originals, or strictly covers, or a rap or hip-hop artist. The venues give us all an outlet!
We need MORE venues, not less, and we have lost at least 6 in 2022.
We’re a powerful force! We can make a change.
Here’s additional opportunities to GET INVOLVED:
Join our Upstate Live Music community on Facebook, we now have 10 thousand members since 2013, mostly from the Upstate!
Make plans to attend the annual Upstate Live Music Meetup 2022 which takes place on April 10th at The Spinning Jenny from 1 to 6pm, with two stages going that musicians of all skill levels and styles are welcome to take part in (backline provided) and lots of opportunities to network with musicians, venue owners and music lovers. There’s a mini-trade show you can display your music related products and services at, or buy/sell/trade music related goods. BE THERE! It’s FREE!
Use our Upstate Live Music Palmetto Showcase event calendar to find live music around the upstate – HUNDREDS of shows listed, over 200 venues represented.
Musicians and venues – GET LISTED – GET SEEN – It’s FREE!
Okay, so that was a lot to say, just to say THANK YOU. I appreciate you all, and I’m humbled.
ROCK ON, Boogie Down!
John M. Hoyt
Upstate Live Music SC Founder
Hot As A Pepper Party Band Founder