On Sunday, May 28th, the New Mexico Music Awards recognized musical productions in over 40 categories and numerous genres, production and engineering categories at their 39th Annual New Mexico Music Awards Banquet & Show.. The Grammy style program was held at Sandia Resort and Casino in Albuquerque and featured performers from Taos, Santa Fe and Albuquerque. Artists, songwriters, producers, engineers and recording studios from around the state enter their productions annually that recognizes the best in music in New Mexico.
In addition to awards given in multiple music categories, the NMMA recognized The Curio Cowboys as recipients of the Eric Larson Lifetime Achievement Award, given in honor of New Mexico Music Awards co-founder songwriter and producer Eric Larson. In 2005, the NMMA created the Eric Larson Endowment at the University of New Mexico providing scholarships for students studying music or the recorded arts. This year’s endowment recipient is bassoonist and UNM Wind Symphony member Josh Castro.
Best Album of the year winner this year was Daniel Boling for his album IT MATTERS featuring iconic folk artist Tom Paxton, Receiving the coveted Norman Petty Producer’s Award were Santa Fe’s Danny Ruben and Jono Manson for their album Likeable. Both of the top winners were recorded at the Kitchen Sink Studios in Santa Fe. Other album category winners were The Free range Buddas in the rock category, Artrio Two for jazz album, the artist Memoryy in the pop album category produced by former Eric Larson Endowmwnt scholarship recipient Shaun Hettinger and newcomer Alan J Coleman from Los Lunes in the country category.
In total, 41 categories were recognized in everything from rap to rock, adult contemporary to engineering. A complete list of winners can be found at https://www.newmexicomusicawards.com/2026-new-mexico-music-award-winners/
We are grateful to our wonderful New Mexico Music Community for their support.
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The New Mexico Music Awards are sponsored by Quickbeam Systems, Guitar Center of Albuquerque and Jason’s Music Publishing, with additional support from The Candyman Strings & Things of Santa Fe, High Fidelity Mastering, Tonewood Amps, Grandma’s Music and Sound, Listen!NM, Two Pups Boutique and Moonlight Talent Management.