When novelist and Sarasota resident Stephen King released his book ‘Billy Summers’ last summer, one local musician took notice and reacted. Billy Summer’s EP, ‘Stephen Kings’ is a direct response to the crime thriller. “[He is] a frequenter of venues where I have played and hung out over the years, one of which is referenced in the book. Maybe it's a coincidence,” Summer wrote in his liner notes. Critics have called King’s book his “best book in years,” but Summers has been pumping out high quality, shimmery power pop over his last handful of releases, so there. billysummer.bandcamp.com

Winner: The Black Honkeys
2. Pusha Preme
3. The Wandering Assassins Crossfire Creek

Winner: The Applebutter Express
2. Have Gun Will Travel
3. Crossfire Creek Band