By Mark Bialczak/The Post-Standard
11-10-2009
The winners are in for the third edition of the Upper State Independent Awards.
The show, the brainchild of Syracuse rapper Kendric Bedell (who performs as Jimmy
Black) and his model/host wife, Sharidonna, was held Saturday night at Corcoran
High School.
The show strives to honor musicians, artists, comics, dancers, DJs and more.
Saxophonist Evan Knight performs above at the Syracuse Jazz Fest in 2006.
On Saturday night, 11-07-2009, he won the Upper State Independent Award for Best Jazz act.
USI Awards 2009 Winners
By Kendric Bedell / Jimmy Black
11-09-2009
Gospel
New Birth Baptist Church Cathedral Choir
Jazz
Evan Knight
DJ
DJ R.E.D.
Blues
Los Blancos
R and B / Band / Group
Onyx1 Featuring Terrence Forsythe
Female R and B
Shy Hips
Poet
G Dash
Male R and B
Velous
Folk / Acoustic
Michael P. Ryan
Alternative / Pop
Bethany Davis
Reggae / Cultural Roots
Nawlage
Country / Blue Grass
Worthy Duncan
Reggae Tone
Ce' Cile
Hip Hop Male
Section Q
Hip Hop Female
Miss Knockout
Hip-Hop Group
Woodfellas
Model
Heidy Z.
Favorite Designer
P'ZAZZ
TV Shows
Ear To The Streets
Producer
Mazaroddi
Independent DVD
Ear To The Streets
International
Fritz's Polka Band
Online Radio
THE SH*T THAT IRKS ME
Dancer/Choreographer
Aloha Hula NYC
Mixtape
RUNAMUCK MIX-TAPE SERIES (Ear To The Streets)
Comedian
Big Mo
Rock and Roll Original Band
Brand New Sin
Rock and Roll Cover Band
One Hard Krank
Photographer/ Art/ Design
Kamiiron Pritchard
USI Awards Show 2009 highlights
Download or view the USI Awards 2009 program guide.
Upper State Independent Awards 2009 / Independents’ Day
Molly English-Bowers, Syracuse New Times
11-04-2009
In an era of Starbucks, Wal-Mart and FYE, it’s refreshing when someone embraces and celebrates the independents in our midst. Kendric Bedell, himself an independent artist who moved to Syracuse four years ago, is once again producing the Upper State Independent Awards, Saturday, Nov. 7, 7 p.m. at Corcoran High School, 919 Glenwood Ave. This is the third year for the event.
“I’m an independent musician so I know we need a platform like this,” Bedell says. “There are so many talented people out there who aren’t being recognized. People try to get a record deal on their own, some get discouraged and others keep going. I realized that in order to do anything you have to do it yourself. That’s why I pay tribute to independent artists.”
Those who come to the show can expect to see winners announced in 35 categories that include all musical genres, poet, model, designer, television shows, online radio, dancer / choreographer, photographer and comedian. Winners will be decided from an online ballot that these artists could print and distribute to friends, family and at shows. “We’re getting more and more balloting each year,” says Bedell, who relocated here from Washington, D.C., with his wife Sheridonna Bedell, who is hosting the show.
“My sister introduced me to Syracuse,” he says. “She was here first and saw the opportunities that are here to raise a family. The homes are cheaper than in D.C. as well. If we didn’t come here then the show probably would never have happened.”
The USIAs will feature numerous performances by such artists as Carbone, Up North Movement, Brother Maniac and the DMV All-Stars, Nyesh McGriff, and others.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for students, and $5 for children younger than 10, and can be purchased at the Web site, www.usiawards.com. For more information, call Bedell at 422-1406.
Did you hear the 2009 commercial for the Upper State Indie Awards Show?
By Kendric Bedell / Jimmy Black
10-31-2009
Listen to the commercial
Tickets are on sale now for the 2009 Upper State Independent Awards
By Kendric Bedell / Jimmy Black
10-21-2009
Don't wait in line go and purchase your tickets
now. To purchase your ticket go to
USIAWARDS.COM
The essence of the Upper State Independent Awards show is to acknowledge
independent musicians from all genres and backgrounds, showing appreciation
for work by independent musicians, poets, models, designers, comedians,
photographers, choreographers, movie makers/DVD, on-line radio shows, and
television shows. The award show is a local / national networking
environment held once a year in Syracuse New York. It will be held on
November 7, 2009 this year.
Click
here to download a flier.
Voting open now for third edition of Upper State Independent
Awards at Corcoran High School in Syracuse
By Mark Bialczak / The Post-Standard
10-06-2009
The nominations are set for the third edition of the Upper State Independent
Awards, announces Syracuse event founder Kendric T. Bedell.
"The essence of the Upper State Independent Awards show is to acknowledge
musicians from all genres and backgrounds, showing appreciation for work by
independent musicians, poets, models, designers, comedians, photographers,
choreographers, movie/DVD makers, on-line radio shows and television shows,"
reminds Bedell, who is a rapper who performs under the name Jimmy
Black.
The show is scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 7 at Corcoran High School in Syracuse.
The winners in each category are selected by online voters at
www.usiawards.com.
The nominee list is available on the Upper State Independent Awards site,
too.
The show is hosted by Bedell's wife, model and TV host Sheridonna.
They're looking for sponsors and vendors. You can e-mail them at
upperstateindieawards@yahoo.com.
For tickets, call 422-1406.
Chuck Schiele and The Whole Thing performing live at the Upper State
Independent Awards Show 2008.
All the
nominees are finally in for the 2009 Upper State Independent Awards.
By Kendric Bedell / Jimmy Black
10-06-2009
The essence of the Upper State Independent Awards show is to acknowledge independent musicians from all genres and backgrounds, showing appreciation for work by independent musicians, poets, models, designers, comedians, photographers, choreographers, movie makers/DVD, on-line radio shows, and television shows. The award show is a local / national networking environment held once a year in Syracuse New York, it will be held on November 7, 2009 at Corcoran High School 919 Glenwood Ave Syracuse NY, 13207.
2009 Upper State Independent Award Nominees
Gospel
The Foundation
New Birth Baptist Church Cathedral Choir
AM:PM
Original Glorious Church National Choir
The Annointed Wonders
Harlem Gospel Choir
Living Water COGIC Mass Choir
Jazz
Madeline Forster
Reform
We R a Nation
Miss Rose and Her Rhythm Percolators
Jon Seiger and the All-Stars
DJ
Runnamuck
Paul Mendez
DJ Levi Jones
DJ Junior
DJ Lil' Dave
DJ SE
DJ Enano
DJ Brandeezie
DJ You Know I Do My Thang
DJ R.E.D.
DJ BANG from 3rd Gate DJ's
Blues
Tubie Pushe'e
Warner Williams
The Norman Sylvester Band
R and B / Band / Group
Grupo Xtreme
Nu Millennium
Innasense
Onyx1 Featuring Terrence Forsythe
Xquizite
Female R and B
Yashi
Koffa
Shy Hips
Takiyah
Chelley
Little Jackie
Afaliah
Shonie
Princess Karleta
Kiana Rene'
Misha Fair
Poet
Georgia Popoff
G Dash
Holliwood
Alain Le Lait
Safiya
Sabrena Thomas
Male R and B
Ron Browz
Velous
SirVerse
Cielo Deville
Tony Sunshine
B.O.X.I.E
Sean McGee
Adonis
Ron Ron
TRACY
Folk/Acoustic
Reality
Alain Le Lait
Andrew Stein
Ani DiFranco
The Pierces
Alternative / Pop
Jzabehl
Chelley
Little Jackie
Alex Young
Neon Hitch
Bethany Davis
Cody and BJ Productions
The Pierces
Reggae / Cultural Roots
RanJa
Ce' Cile
Nawlage
Etana
Ricky Blaze
Steele Pulse
D'Angel and International
The Movement
King Ali Baba
Spice
Gyptian
Neon Hitch
Princess Karleta
Country / Blue Grass
Paul Estro
Heather Richards
Amanda Nagurney
Sarah Horner and Greg Carroll
Worthy Duncan
M Shanghai String Band
Reggae Tone
NAN2
Yomo
Plan B
PBC
Baby Ranks
Adassa
Ce' Cile
Noztra
Rolly
Dime Ivy Queen
Indya C.
Sophia Maria
Bela Mami La Reina Del Genero
Jzabehl
Hip-Hop Male
C-Nube
Mikey Jay
L Luvy
Section Q
Raywells
Gabe Rosales
V.E.G.A.S.
RunnaMuck
808
2 C
L. Finess
Biggz
Pedro el Poeta
Lealand Tha Gooz
G SWISS
Shelliez
Clemmye
Sammy Bravo
O D
Young Notti
Hip-Hop Female
Miss Knockout
Tylibal
A.Renee
Maxxine Justus
Holliwood
Ladi Rock
Tequila
Vaygez Blakk
Jezzy B
Tila Tequila
Hip-Hop Group
7 Star Kings
The Undergods
7TH Layers
DnD Productions
Felony Set
Fat Camp
Woodfellas
Ay-Yo
The Human Element
5th Flow
Model
CC Fontana
Heidy Z.
Bethany Davis
Safiya
Jamie Jones
Tamika Reynolds
Tiffany Mays
Shy Hips
Favorite Designer
Valerie Dumaine
Allison Wonderland
Annie 50
Jenny Yuen
Rebecca Minkoff
P'ZAZZ
TV Show
Bridge Street
Ear To The Streets
Rhythms
C Jack Runs Presents
Central Issues
Joanne Weir's Cooking Class
Producer
Mazaroddi
Mikey jay
Dyleon
Hi- Face
Didge Extreme / David Blonski
Seen
Jaywan of Divine Entertainment's
Independent DVD
Ear To The Streets
Street Cred
Crucial Decision
The Silencer
My Mothers Tears
Love Is Wicked
International
Ismaël Lô
Namely
Nimba Burr
Jzabehl
Sam Ajavon
Jonas
Royal T
Mezonic
Monique Mijnals
Fritz's Polka Band
On-line Radio
Play I Some Music with Papa Andy
Radioindy.com
SwurvRadio.com
Lush Radio Online
RecordBreaking.com
Bigupsradio.com
YBBI Show
The Sh*t That Irks Me
Dancer/Choreographer
Y.A.T. PAK
KB and Carmen
Aloha Hula NYC
Mark and Karen Stringz
Stringz
B Boy Hectik
Leonard
TaiStylez
Mixtape
DJ You Know I Do My Thang Addicted 2 BLENDZ VOL.6
Runnamuck Mix-Tape Series.(Ear To The Streets)
Pit Bull (SCARICA "TESTE DURE EP VOL. 1)
DJ Snipez (Talkin Greezy Vol. 2 Hosted By: Tony Yayo)
DJ Vinnie Da Don (Blends From The Streets 7)
DJ Young Pro (CUSE TOWN CLASSICS 2)
DJ TAKEOVER(SWITCH STYLE 4)
DJ Brandeezie (Born Into The Game Vol 9.)
Comedian
Big Moe
Quentin Heggs
Lenny Marcus
Louis Johnson
Hebrew Mamita
The Gemini Show
Antoine Blackman
Rock and Roll Original Band
Miss Rose and Her Rhythm Percolators
ETx
Rock and Roll Cover Band
Category 5
Page Nine
Photographer/ Art/ Design
Kamiiron Lundy
Steven Kroon
Ronnie Wright
Bud at Total Industry
The 2009 Upper
State Independent Awards Nominees are finally here.
By Kendric Bedell / Jimmy Black
09-11-2009