News Summary
The San Diego Music Awards 2025 showcased the incredible talent within the local music scene while raising funds for music education. Hosted at Humphreys by the Bay, the sold-out event featured notable performances and several awards, including Lifetime Achievement and Artist of the Year. The evening raised a remarkable $65,014 for the San Diego Music Foundation. Celebrating diversity and community support, the event highlighted both established and emerging artists, confirming San Diego’s vibrant musical landscape.
San Diego, California – The San Diego Music Awards 2025 took place on a recent Tuesday evening at Humphreys by the Bay on Shelter Island, featuring a celebration of local talent and community support for music education. The event was sold out, encouraging attendees to arrive early, particularly those needing photo passes.
Upon entry, attendees were screened for weapons, ensuring a safe environment. Guests were issued blue wristbands which permitted the purchase of alcoholic beverages. The atmosphere inside the venue began subdued due to the remaining daylight, lacking the festive cheer commonly associated with such events.
Notable attendees included Josh Weinstein, whose song “Jesus of Neverland” was nominated for Best Folk or Acoustic Song. The event featured upbeat performances, notably from the Euphoria Brass Band, whose energetic show almost resulted in a trample incident among excited fans. Matthew Phillips also took the stage, performing a series of popular songs and later winning the award for Best Pop Artist.
The event facilitated an engaging collaborative effort between local music enthusiasts, including a participant named Marlene, who worked alongside various others to capture live recordings for social media platforms.
Major awards were distributed throughout the evening. Nathan East was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, receiving tribute videos from legendary musicians such as Eric Clapton and Ringo Starr. Anthony Cullins received the coveted Artist of the Year award, while Thee Sacred Souls were recognized for their album “Got a Story to Tell,” earning them the title of Album of the Year.
Kimmi Bitter won both Song of the Year for her track “Cowboy Kind of Girl” and Best Country or Americana Album for “Old School.” The event also showcased fresh talents, with The Neighborhood Kids winning Best New Artist and Euphoria Brass Band‘s album “Better Days” claimed the award for Best Jazz Album.
The San Diego Music Awards not only celebrated local artists and their artistic achievements but also raised significant funds for music education, contributing a total of $65,014 for the San Diego Music Foundation’s Guitars in the Schools program. Over its history, the awards have successfully raised nearly $916,000 for music education initiatives in the area.
This year’s event featured over 840 submissions across its 27 award categories, emphasizing the vibrant and diverse music scene in San Diego. As the evening progressed, the crowd became more animated, celebrating the artistry and achievements of their local music community. Performers such as East and The Tourmaliners contributed to the growing energy, making it a memorable night full of celebration and recognition.
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Additional Resources
- San Diego Reader
- San Diego Union-Tribune
- Village News
- Axios
- Bandsintown
- Wikipedia: San Diego Music Awards
- Google Search: San Diego Music Awards
- Google Scholar: San Diego Music Awards
- Encyclopedia Britannica: San Diego Music Awards
- Google News: San Diego Music Awards
