The Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Awards 

The Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Awards 

6 p.m. Sunday April 14 at Proctors

SCHENECTADY, N.Y.—JAN. 15, 2019—The inaugural Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Awards, 6 p.m. Sunday April 14 at Proctors, is an opportunity to amplify, empower and celebrate professionals working in the area’s wide-ranging music scene.

Over 60 luminaries drawn from the region’s talent pool—including club owners, sound technicians, educators, journalists and performers—will judge nearly 30 categories, granting Eddies to winners from a list of approximately 80 nominees (ranging from soloists and group members to teachers, engineers, deejays, photographers and others).

Edison conceived the phonograph prior to moving his Edison Machine Works to Schenectady (and providing the basis for General Electric), but his invention—the first to reproduce sound rather than simply record it—transcended geography, bringing music to the world.

On its inception, the National Academy of Recordings arts and Sciences considered naming its award the Eddie, in recognition of Edison’s indelible contribution, but opted for a nod to a later iteration, the gramophone.

The Eddies are a production of Capital Records Live! Proctors Collaborative and The Collaborative regional arts magazine.

Capital Records Live! and The Eddies are the creation of Salvatore Prizio and Jim Murphy.

Prizio, a musician himself, is program coordinator at Proctors Collaborative and former programming manager at Massry Center for the Arts, in Albany. Murphy, a former journalist and media executive, is marketing and corporate development director at Proctors Collaborative, as well as publisher of The Collaborative. 

Murphy says, “Markets from Syracuse to Seattle have high-profile annual events that celebrate and honor local musicians; it’s high time we did the same here. In Syracuse, since 1992, the Sammies have fostered countless collaborations and spotlighted hundreds of artists. Members of our music community deserve a like experience.” 

“The spirit of the Eddies,” Prizio adds, “is to recognize all of those who work so hard, day-in and day-out, to entertain the Capital Region and beyond. Just about everyone pushes themselves so hard in this business, and the Eddies present a moment for all of us to pause, celebrate and reflect on what we do, whether it’s an intern running cable or the biggest stars to come out of the area. We want to recognize that effort and celebrate each other.”

The ceremony will include two inductions into the Eddies New York Music Hall of Fame: an Artist Lifetime Achievement Award and an Arts Educator Award for Impact on the Community. Additionally, a People’s Choice Award will be granted for Artist of the Year and Local Concert of the Year.

“The evening,” Murphy says, “is about bringing attention to new artists, honoring tenured acts and commemorating local music legends.”

Tickets for The Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Awards, $20 advance/$25 door, go on sale 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 17 at the Box Office at Proctors, 432 State Street, Schenectady; by phone at 518.346.6204; and online at proctors.org.

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