35th Annual San Diego Music Awards Graphic (Courtesy of SDMA)
Going on 35 years strong, the San Diego Music Awards this year announced its nominees for the first time in front of a live audience at the Music Box hosted by Rick Lawrence, Tim Pyles, Lou Niles and Timothy “TJ” Joseph.
Singer-songwriter Steve Poltz will receive this year’s lifetime achievement award. After Pyles delivered the news, he laughed and said about Poltz, “He’s still only 50 years old!”
Slightly Stoopid, Swami John Reis, The Frights, Daring Greatly and Obed Padilla were among the artists who received multiple nominations.
The event also unveiled the performers at this year’s San Diego Music Awards show, on May 6 t Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay. The Frights, Young Lions Jazz Conservatory, Steve Poltz, sullvn, San Diego Blues Allstars, Agent 51 and Obed Padilla will all play at the show.
The winners will be chosen partially through a public vote and partially through the academy’s consideration. Online voting begin at noon on Wednesday, Feb. 25, and continues until 5 p.m. March 31, at sdmusicawards.com.
To be considered for nomination performers must be based in San Diego and must have done one live show in San Diego in 2025. Recordings must have been released between Jan. 1, 2025 to Dec. 31, 2025, and be available for purchase either in a record store or online to be considered.
Tickets go on sale at noon Wednesday on the award show’s website for the May 6 ceremony. Proceeds from the tickets will go to the San Diego Music Foundation, which aims to fill the gaps in music education in local schools through initiatives like providing guitars.
There will also be pre-award show showcases, the first of which will be at the Center for Performing Arts in Escondido on April 10. More of those will be announced next Monday.
Now, on to the nominees:
Album of the Year
Agent 51 – Age of Validation
Anthony Cullins – Inside Out & Backwards
Buck-O-Nine – Cut Out The Noise
Obed Padilla – Do You Still Love Me?
Swami John Reis – Time To Let You Down
The Frights – Ready When You Are
Wavves – Spun
Song of the Year
almost monday – lost
P.O.D. – I Won’t Bow Down
Pierce The Veil – Kiss Me Now
Shane Hall & Ash Easton – Midnight Pine
Slightly Stoopid – Step Into The Sun
Switchfoot (with Buddy Guy) – Last Man Standing
Thee Sacred Souls – We Don’t Have to Be Alone
Artist of the Year
Obed Padilla
Pierce the Veil
Rebecca Jade
Slightly Stoopid
Swami John Reis
The Frights
The Schizophonics
Best New Artist
Doylestown
Jettee
Payback & Associates
Saint Misty
Tigers in Cairo
Vurv
You Can Call Me Sugar
Best Video
Almost Monday – enjoy the ride
Cheyenne Benton – Lessons
Emilia Vaughn – Rock Music, Girl Secrets
T
he Gravities – Stuck In The Desert
Eric Sage – Rise Up San Diego
KBong – Good News
Doah’s Daydream – Girls Girl
Best Folk or Acoustic Song
Dylan Razwick x Tavia – Kaleidoscope
Highline Trail – When I Die
Jeff Berkley – Abracadabra
Mark Montijo – Apricot Moon
Patch & Maggi – Alive
The Beard and the Bird – My Dearest Eloise
Virginia James – 730 Run
Best Jazz Artist
Ed Kornhauser
Euphoria Brass band
Gilbert Castellanos
Irving Flores
Leonard Patton
Nathan Hubbard
Sacha Boutros
Best Jazz Album
Archie Thompson – Makin The Scene
Ira B. Liss Big Band Jazz Machine – Unexpected Guests
Irving Flores – Armando Mi Conga
Patrick Yandall – Devocean
Rob Thorsen and Paul Gabrielson – Sonic Visions
Sure Fire Soul Ensemble – Gemini
Victor Baker Quartet – As the Crow Flies
Best Blues Artist
Ben Powell
Black Market III
Chickenbone Slim
Manzanita Blues
Mercedes Moore
Whitney Shay
Zavala Sol
Best Blues Album
CC Blues Factory – Look Me Over
Earl Thomas – Live in London
Good Gravy – Roux
Johnny Vernazza – Home By Christmas
Low Volts – Forbidden Frequency
The Juke$ – Salacious Stories
Tracy Lee Nelson & The Native Blues Band – Relocation
Best Country or Americana Artist
Alex Bergan
Ashley E. Norton
Ass Pocket Whiskey Fellas
Cathryn Beeks
Jesse Ray Smith
Kimmi Bitter
Stucky Leigh
Best Country or Americana Song
Alex Bergan (with Ash Easton) – Hair of the Dog
Haisley – The Good In Me
Lissa Dee – Chasing Whiskey with Whiskey
Michael Dean Goodrich – Get Back Home
Miranda Ramos – The Only Men I Need
Sara Petite – Jealous Heart
ZB Savoy – Out to Forgetting
Best Country or Americana Album
Dave Preston – Fly On A Wall
Elizabeth Bowersox – California Queen
Jeff Berkley – A Buffalo Trace
MohaviSoul – Encore
Thea the Band – Whiskey Revival
Todd Higginson – Highlights
Whiskey & Burlap – Milkman
Best Hip Hop/Rap Artist
Banish Habitual
Bozzzy
Brothers Burns
Daygo Smoove
Kahlee
Miki Vale
RMthePoet
Best Hip Hop/Rap Song
Bloodstone the Street Preacher – Know what I’m saying
BounceCX – Bounce Back
Dazer Daze – Lighting Treez
DJ Who & Heat – Burn It All Down
Mike Holmes & Riston Diggs – Auntisistercousin
RMthePoet featuring Oside Lenz & Oldschool – Hit N Run
The Neighborhood Kids – The World is Worth Saving
Best Pop Artist
Audrey Callahan
Cassie B
Chloe Lou
Emilia Vaughn
Jessie Lark
Matthew Phillips
Trey Hill
Best Pop Song
Brianna Grace – Playing With Fire
David Spitzfaden – Lost Hope
Em Cable – Feeling Me
KaiLana Tomiko – Indigo
Sara Jade – Hippies Raised a Cowgirl
sullvn – The Fighter
Sweet Myths – Still The Same
Best Pop Album
Cheyenne Benton – Corrupted
Gregory Page – 100 Years Ago
Hillandale Drive – Love, Fear & Everything In Between
Matthew Phillips – Till It’s Over
Pip Lewis – Growing Pains
Sophie London – Mindreader
Tamar Berk – ocd
Best Indie/Alternative Artist
Dusk Drama
Lioneer
miniaturized
Slacker
Sunbendr
The Film Company
Weatherbox
Best Indie/Alternative Album
Agent 51 – Age of Validation
Buck O Nine – Cut Out The Noise
Paradise Drive – The Phenomenon
Pleasure Pill – Hang a Star
The Film Company – Starving Artist and the Holy Ghost
Thee Allyrgic Reaction- s/t
The Reckless – Who Are You
Best Rock Artist
Band of Gringos
Daring Greatly
Door 13
Misfire
Mistress 77
The Farmers
The Tourmaliners
Best Rock Album
Blame Betty – Who’s to Blame
Daring Greatly – Let It Ride
Rhinoceros III – Listen With Two Hearts
Sun Room – Ritual of Chaos
Taz Taylor Band – The Other Side of Midnight
The Suede Grenades – Flashbulb Memories
Year of the Kid – s/t
Best Rock or Indie/Alternative Song
Beta7 – So Long Ago
Daring Greatly – Let It Ride
Go Scarlet – La Motorcyclette
Half Hour Late – Slow Motion
Manganista – Talking to Myself
Mistress 77 – It Ain’t Christmas Without The Mistress
Three Legged Dog – Left for Dead
Best World Music Artist
Boostive
Israel Maldonado
Kekoa the Artist
Monette Marino
Quel Bordel
Sandollar
Slack Key Ohana
Best World Music Song
B-Side Players – En Paz Dub
Mitchum Yacoub, Lourdes Iri – Métele Más
Mix Mob – Rock Star
Safety Orange – Castaway
Sierra Marin – Earth Child
Skyler Lutes – In My City
Smoke & Mirrors Sound System – Ain’t That Lovin’ You
Best R&B, Funk or Soul Song
Anthony Cullins – Lynmar
Durell Anthony – Meet Me in the Middle
Hummingbird Hotel – Close to You
Kat Hall – Frequency
Monica Larrea – Mental
Rebecca Jade – Not Me No Way
We The Commas – in japan
Best Local Recording
Clinton Davis – Ever Returning
Grampadrew – It’s Getting Darker
Salinas Road – ‘25
Seawall Prophet – Hallowed Ground
Sue Palmer and her Motel Swing Orchestra – Eight to the Bar!
The Bastards – Fall Risk
Noël Tsoukalas – I Still Hear You