San Diego Music Awards recognizes local artists Thee Sacred Souls, Sara Petite, Lords of the Satellite and more

Fans and local musicians alike attended the San Diego Music Awards (SDMAs) Tuesday night at Humphreys Concerts by the bay. The annual awards ceremony is in its 31st year and aims to recognize achievements of local musicians.

To kick off the evening, Lords of the Satellite won Best New Artist.

During the show, a lifetime achievement award was presented to soul singer Jesse Davis.

Of the many winners, Rebecca Jade, Sara Petite, Mrs. Henry, Aviator Stash and Riston Diggs each won multiple awards in multiple categories. Find a complete list of winners at the bottom of this story.

Performers throughout the event included Ira B. Liss Big Band Jazz Machine, Slack Key 'Ohana, Tamar Berk, Thee Sacred Souls, Mrs. Henry, Riston Diggs and The Sully Band.

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Thee Sacred Souls perform at Humphreys Concerts by the Bay in San Diego, Calif. April 19, 2022.

Lara McCaffrey

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Crhymes accepts the award for Best Hip Hop/Rap Song at Humphreys By The Bay in San Diego, Calif. April 19, 2022.

Lara McCaffrey

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Presenters at the San Diego Music Awards at Humphreys Concerts by the Bay in San Diego, Calif. April 19, 2022.

Lara McCaffrey

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Riston Diggs performs at the San Diego Music Awards at Humphreys Concerts by the Bay in San Diego, Calif. April 19, 2022.

Lara McCaffrey

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Lauren Leigh accepts an award for Best Pop Song at Humphreys Concerts by the Bay in San Diego, Calif. April 19, 2022.

Lara McCaffrey

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Tamar Berk performs at the San Diego Music Awards at Humphreys Concerts by the Bay. April 19, 2022.

Lara McCaffrey

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The 27 award categories cover a breadth of genres like rock, country, jazz, pop and rap, with awards doled out for best song, album, music video and more.

Musicians have to be nominated by members of the San Diego Music Academy in order to be considered.

One of the nominees for Best World Music Album and for Album of the Year is "Sonidero Guerrillero" by cumbia band Sonido de la Frontera.

"To us, it feels good that our album is being well received in and out of San Diego, not just within the cumbia music scene, but other scenes such as hip-hop, punk and even polka. It has been great knowing our music has landed on fresh new ears," said band member Luke Henshaw.

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Mike Halloran, radio personality and longtime member of the San Diego music scene, said the SDMAs help bring awareness to local bands.

“I do think there’s a point (for awards shows) at a local level,” Halloran said. “(But) I don’t think anyone writes a song to win an award.”

Some of the other nominees were The Fazes, Thee Sacred Souls, Tamar Berk and Nathan Hubbard.

“It’s really cool to have multiple nominations for the SDMAs alongside other great artists from San Diego. It’s inspiring to be recognized in our hometown community and motivates us to keep striving to follow our dreams,” said Isela Humerez of first-time nominees The Fazes, who were nominated for Best Pop Song for “Remote Control,” and Best New Artist.

Percussionist Nathan Hubbard was nominated for Best Jazz Artist and is a past winner of multiple SDMAs — three for Best Jazz Album, and two for Best Hip-Hop Album with the band Parker Meridien.

"The SDMAs are always fun, and getting nominated is exciting, but I love seeing so many people from different scenes coming together," Hubbard said.

The Verigolds were nominated in three categories: Best Pop Artist, Best Pop Album and Album of the Year. They won Best Pop Album.

"We really value our music community here in San Diego and it's amazing how the SDMAs generate so much for our communities," said Verigolds vocalist Jenna Cotton.

Started in 1991, the SDMAs event fundraises for the San Diego Music Foundation’s Guitars for Schools Program.

See below for the full list of winners.