In any normal year, we at SN&R would be in full-on SAMMIES mode, asking readers to vote for their favorite performers and prepping a big event to celebrate the winners.

Unfortunately, the SAMMIES are on hold for 2021, and COVID-19 pandemic stay-at-home orders prevented the big shindig we’d hoped for in 2020 to celebrate the winners.

But if there’s any time we need the comfort of music, it’s now. For the next few weeks, we’ll be checking in on some 2020 SAMMIES winners and nominees to see how they’ve stayed creative over the last year. Be sure to check out the Bandcamp and Spotify pages of each artist.

Katie Knipp, winner, Blues

How did you feel about being nominated last year?  
Absolutely awesome!  And winning a second year in a row blew my brain!
How have you stayed active/creative during the pandemic? 
I recorded my sixth album of original material, The Well, which is on presale now and releases everywhere March 12.  My 4- and 6-year-old boys keep me busy, and I teach piano lessons also. 
What have you been listening to lately?  
A lot of New Orleans funk.   

Listen to Katie’s music and pre-order her latest on Bandcamp

Kennedy Wrose, winner, Emcee

How did you feel about being nominated last year?
I was elated! It is an honor to be recognized for doing what you love to do. I’ve been nominated every year since 2017, but always came up short. But not last year! That award brought a spark of light in the midst of one of the darkest years yet. I was so stoked about the award I made a song and music video called “Emcee of the Year.” 
How have you stayed active/creative during the pandemic?
The benefit about the pandemic was that it allotted me more time to create. On the flip side, all my shows came to a screeching halt. In order to stay relevant, I put on a couple of virtual concerts, released a collab album with a Grammy-nominated artist here in Sac (Izreal Graham) and put out a few music videos.
What have you been listening to lately?
Jim Jones, Fred the Godson, Sohn, Frank Ocean, Florence + The Machine, Benny the Butcher, Nobigdyl. 

Find Kennedy Wrose on Apple Music and Spotify

Vinnie Guidera & The Dead Birds, nominee, Indie

How did you feel about being nominated last year?
It’s always nice to be included on a list with artists we admire.
How have you stayed active/creative during the pandemic?
We recorded some remote live videos and synced up our parts for a series we called “Live From Three Houses.” Since we did a few alternate arrangements and a new song, we also released the audio as an EP.
What have you been listening to lately?
I’ve listened to John Carpenter scores exclusively for like six months.

Listen to Vinnie Guidera & The Dead Birds on Bandcamp