Small Town Shade

Winners of:
2016 Josie Music Awards Modern Country Breakthrough Band of the Year
2017 Syracuse Area Music Award (SAMMY) for Best Country Recording
2017 Syracuse Area Music Award (SAMMY) People's Choice - Best Band

Formed in the summer of 2015, Small Town Shade began as a duo with cousins Nick Stark and Aaron Craig playing small, local venues around their hometown of Cortland, NY. They soon found themselves booking gigs at larger venues and realized that, to achieve the sound they were looking for, they needed to expand. The duo was soon joined by Rocco Rich and Mike Marcey in early October 2015, with Alex Faucett joining in January 2016. Small Town Shade quickly began generating a buzz on social media and in the CNY music scene. Known for their energetic performances and an extensive variety of songs from multiple genres, it wasn't long before the guys found their schedule filling up quickly. Soon, they began getting opening slot offers for some of country music's hottest acts. Since October 2015, they have shared the stage with Granger Smith (Earl Dibbles Jr.), Joel Crouse, Stevie Monce, Love & Theft, Old Dominion (2x), Parmalee, William Michael Morgan, Steve Moakler, Jacob Powell, Tyler Farr, and Frankie Ballard (2x). In only a few short months together, they were nominated for a Syracuse Area Music Award for People's Choice 2016. They have also achieved radio success with their single "Can't Stop, Won't Stop" playing on country radio and earning two Josie Show Award nominations for 2016 Song of The Year and Best New Group/Duo. The fall of 2016 brought on a line-up change with the addition of Jeremy Barbour on the electric guitar. After playing nearly 90 live shows in their first year together, Small Town Shade has proven to be a staple in the CNY music scene. In September, Small Town Shade traveled to Nashville to perform at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, right in the heart of downtown, for the 2016 Josie Music Awards. It was here that STS was awarded the "2016 Modern Country Break Through Band of the Year" award. In December of 2016, they traveled to Indianapolis to perform at Lucas Oil Stadium (home of the Colts) for the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show. They have just finished up recording their debut EP with Grammy-nominated producer, Lonnie Park. The album was released on December 17, 2016 and won the 2017 SAMMY Award for Best Country Recording.