The 2026 Grammy Award nominations are out, and at least two contenders are from Upstate New York.

Joe Bonamassa , who was born in New Hartford, N.Y., and grew up in nearby New York Mills, has been nominated for Best Contemporary Blues Album for the fifth time in his career. Bonamassa’s recent album, “Breakthrough,” is competing with Samantha Fish’s “Paper Doll,” Eric Gales’ “A Tribute to LJK,” Robert Randolph’s “Preacher Kids,” and Southern Avenue’s “Family.”

Bonamassa, who first started performing in Utica as “Smokin’ Joe” when he was 12 years old and soon opened for B.B. King, currently lives in Los Angeles. He was previously nominated for Grammys in 2013, 2016, 2022, and 2025, but has never won.

He’s far from having the most Grammy nominations without a win, though. Mastering engi

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