2025 She Rocks Honorees to Light Up the Stage Saturday Night

Saturday night at The NAMM Show brings you the She Rocks Awards, where the musical contributions of women in the music industry are recognized and celebrated.

Join us for this premier awards night that’s guaranteed to be inspiring, entertaining and a memorable part of your NAMM Show experience. You’ll enjoy an opening act from Shantaia, Nashville-based singer-songwriter who has toured with The Washboard Union and opened for well-known artists such as Kane Brown and Ryan Hurd, followed by several luminaries gracing the stage.

Professional guitarist and session musician Jennifer Batten along with electronic violinist Lindsey Stirling will host the evening’s affairs. The awards night includes a full course dinner, special gift bag and the opportunity to network with music icons, label execs, media, performers, engineers, manufacturers, educators and other industry professionals.

The awards take place Saturday, January 25, 2025, at the Hilton Anaheim Pacific Ballroom. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the 2025 honorees:

Samantha Fish

American guitarist, singer and songwriter Samantha Fish is an artist who blends blues, rock, country, bluegrass and funk. Called "a genuine force of sonic prowess with her vocal range, stage presence and six-string exploration" by The Rolling Stone, Fish has earned her reputation as a multi-award-winning festival headliner, captivating audiences with her dynamic and masterful guitar skills and storytelling. Her electrifying blend of blues-rock breaks free from traditional genre boundaries, delivering a performance that is both powerful and refined.

"Death Wish Blues" is her first collaborative album with Jesse Dayton, guitarist, record producer and contributor to Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson albums, among others. Here's a live performance of their album's title track:

AIJIA

AIJIA is a talented singer-songwriter and vocal producer known for her ability to blend catchy pop melodies with deeply emotional lyrics. Hailing from a musically rich family in Los Angeles, AIJIA began writing songs in her teenage years. Today, her songwriting credits span television, film and advertising. Her recent tracks, such as the piano ballad “For You” and “Magic,” highlight her versatility.

She has shared the stage with notable artists like Rachel Platten, Colbie Caillat and Selena Gomez. Currently, she’s collaborating with producer Phinisey on a full-length album.

Here she tells a story about how her grandmother’s music venue influenced her musical life and some background on the making of “Learning to Let Go:”

Katie Daryl

Katie Daryl is a seasoned rock journalist and former vice president of programming and original development at AXS TV, where she both produced and hosted hit shows like “The Top Ten Revealed” and “Sounds Delicious.”

With nearly 20 years of experience in the music and television industries, she has collaborated with major stars and brands, delivering acclaimed content across various platforms. Daryl’s career began as a radio DJ, and she went on to work as a reporter for MTV and a producer for networks like VH1, CBS and TMZ. Among her standout projects are producing “True Music” and “At Home And Social,” featuring exclusive performances from iconic artists such as Bon Jovi and Nancy Wilson.

Here’s an episode of Check out True Music with Katie Daryl:

Paula Cole

Paula Cole is a Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and producer, celebrated for iconic hits like "Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?" and "I Don’t Want to Wait," both of which are still radio and playlist favorites.

In 1997, she won the GRAMMY for Best New Artist and made history as the first woman ever nominated for a GRAMMY in the “Producer of the Year” category. Throughout her career, Cole has expanded her musical horizons, delving into jazz and folk while staying true to her introspective songwriting style.

Her albums include “Ballads,” “American Quilt” and “Revolution,” with her latest album, “Lo,” released in March 2024. Here’s a live performance of “Follow the Moon:”

Get Your Tickets for the 13th Annual She Rocks Awards

Order your tickets on the She Rocks website to secure your spot at this exciting event! Expand your musical experience by registering for The 2025 NAMM Show.

About the Author

Jessica A. Baris is a writer on the marketing team at NAMM and editor of Playback Blog. She shares member stories, covers The NAMM Show and collaborates with industry experts to create content that educates and informs NAMM members. Baris leads a musical life as a Latin dancer, growing singer and player of instruments, including castanets, clave and tongue drum.