Toms River Bands Top Asbury Music Awards

Toms River's talent shone at the annual Asbury Park Music Awards, as both local favorites The Amboys and nationally touring River City Extension won big.

Each band has members hailing from Toms River.

The Asbury Park Music Awards are given each year across dozens of categories, but they all celebrate the local, original music scene.

took home the most awards of the evening: four. The band had the Top Local Release for "The Unmistakeable Man." River City Extension is the Top Americana Band and Top Live Performance this year, and also has the top multi-instrument musician in Nick Cucci.

Adding to the list of Toms River talent is The Amboys, who had two wins amid four nominations.

The Amboys secured the top spot for male vocalist for 2011, thanks to lead singer CM Smith.

The Amboys also have the Song of the Year for a rock band. "One of Those Nights," with its prominent banjo and shout of "Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!" is catchy yet soulful, and won in that category. The song is off The Amboys EP "Led Into the Woods."

The Amboys also were nominated in two other Asbury Park Music Award categories: Top Drummer, and Top Local Release for "Led into the Woods."

Check out the attached YouTube video of The Amboys performing "One of Those Nights" at a January benefit at Asbury Lanes, in Asbury Park.

For more on the band, visit The Amboys website.

And here's a complete list of winners from this year's Asbury Park Music Awards, which were held last weekend at The Stone Pony, Asbury Park.