Listen Up Awards “Hero Ceremony”

The first night of the annual Listen Up Awards was the Hero Ceremony, honoring those local legends whose reputations define them as heroes to the area music community.

The 2026 class of heroes comprised:

• Peter Iselin
• The Daley Brothers
• Stigmata
• Blotto
• Section 8
• Kevin McKrell
• Scotty Mac
• Ernie Williams and the Wildcats
• Eddie Angel
• George Guarino
• Jim Furlong
• Tess Collins
• The Deadbeats
• Deb Cavanaugh
• Alex Torres
• Matt and Tom of Parkway Music
• Joe Mele
• Vito Ciccarelli
• 1313 Mockingbird Lane
• DJ Young Wise
• Tom Flynn

and music was provided by 2025 Listen Up Award winners:

• Kristian Montgomery
• Off the Record
• The Albany Rock Pit with Scotty Mac and Jeremy Walz
• Kakos

Photography by Sara Busone.

More coverage of the Hero Ceremony here …