David Francey, winner of the 7th Annual IAMA (International Acoustic Music Awards)

The 8th Annual IAMA (International Acoustic Music Awards) is currently accepting entries. IAMA promotes excellence in acoustic music performance and artistry. Acoustic artists in various genres can gain exciting radio and web exposure through this competition. Participating sponsors include D’Addario Strings, New Music Weekly, Loggins Promotion, AirplayAccess.com, Sonicbids.com, Reverbnation.com, Kari Estrin Management, SongU.com, Acoustic Cafe Radio Show and Sirius XM Satellite Radio. More sponsors will be announced shortly.

Unlike American Idol, IAMA is open to all independent artists and labels, there is no age limit and people from all countries can enter and best off all entrants do not have to stand in line for hours or days in order to audition. Entrants need to mail in an entry form along with a CD recording or enter online on IAMA’s website.

Win prizes in 8 different categories: Folk/Americana/Roots, AAA/Alternative, Instrumental, Open, Bluegrass/Country, Best Male Artist, Best Female Artist, Best Group/Duo. There will also be an Overall Grand Prize winner awarded to the top winner worth US$11,000, which includes radio promotion to over 250 radio stations in US and Canada. Therefore, winning songs will be heard on radio. Winners and runner-ups will also be featured on IAMA’s compilation CD.

Last year’s winner went to Canadian folk singer-songwriter David Francey who won the overall grand prize as well as the Best Folk Artist. David Francey is also a Juno awards winner (Grammy equivalent) and is a prolific singer-songwriter touring all over North America.

Judging is based on excellence in music performance, songwriting/composition and originality. Winners are selected by a panel of established artists and industry professionals. Other past winners include: Liz Longley (2010 Winner), The Refugees (2009 Winner), UK singer-songwriter Charlie Dore (2008 winner). Charlie Dore is most famous in the United States for her 1980 pop single, “Pilot of the Airwaves,” which hit Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 Charts and shot to international worldwide fame. Fertitta and McClintock (USA), Jen Foster USA), Mistin’ (Australia), April Verch (Canada) and Millish (USA).

Winners and finalists of the Awards will be featured in the IAMA website and e-newsletters, read by music press, talent buyers, promoters and other industry insiders. All songs submitted must be submitted must be original and submitted online or via CD, the artist may also perform original material not yet released and written by other songwriters or composers. Cover songs are permitted.

Early Entry Bonus: first 1,000 entrants entered by September 9, 2011 will each receive a free gift. Check out:
http://www.inacoustic.com

David Francey, Top Winner of 7th Annual IAMA

Scottish-born Canadian, David Francey won top honors at the 7th Annual IAMA (International Acoustic Music Awards) by winning the overall grand prize as well as the first prize in the Folk category. David also won three Juno awards up to date. Francey also had the honour of receiving the prestigious SOCAN Folk Music Award.

David Francey was born in 1954 in Ayrshire, Scotland, where as a paper boy he got his first taste of the working life. He learned to read at an early age, and by age eleven was devouring the newspapers he delivered. This helped establish his interest in politics and world events while developing the social conscience that forms the backdrop of his songs.

He was twelve when his family immigrated to Toronto. He says he can trace his love of the land, the history, and the people of his adopted country to weekend family drives exploring southern Ontario. Music played a large part in these family outings. They sang traditional Scottish tunes as they drove through the Canadian countryside. Dad and sister Muriel sang melody, while mother and David sang harmonies. His website can be viewed at:

http://www.davidfrancey.com

Other notable winners inclue: Justin Rutledge (Canada), Joachim Nordensson & Brooke Wandler (USA), Roland Albertson (South Africa), Luke Doucet & The White Falcon (Canada) and virtuoso guitarist Tim Farrell (USA)

Here is the list of winners of 7th Annual IAMA:

OVERALL GRAND PRIZE WINNER:
The Waking Hour – David Francey

FOLK
1st Prize: The Waking Hour – David Francey
Runner-up: Be A Man – Justin Rutledge

BEST GROUP/DUO
1st Prize: I Was With You – Joachim Nordensson & Brooke Wandler
Runner-up: Come Home To Me – Alathea

BEST MALE ARTIST
1st Prize: Broken – Roland Albertson
Runner-up: Last Love – Shane Cooley

BEST FEMALE ARTIST
1st Prize: Firecracker – Kelly Zullo
Runner-up: Faking Your Best – Suzy Connolly

COUNTRY/BLUEGRASS
1st Prize: We Don’t Smell the Home Fires Anymore – Horseshoe Road
Runner-up: What Life’s Like (Without You) – Stewart Burrows

AAA/ALTERNATIVE
1st Prize: Thinking People – Luke Doucet & The White Falcon
Runner-up: The Beast Within – Reed Waddle

OPEN/AOG
1st Prize: The Most Beautiful Fear – Laura Hoover
Runner-up: Joe’s Bayou – Boomslang Swampsinger

INSTRUMENTAL
1st Prize: Rosewood Alley – Tim Farrell
Runner-up: Once Upon A Western Sky – John Standefer

Artists are judged based on music performance, music production, artistry and songwriting. For more information, visit:
http://www.inacoustic.com

Liz Longley, 6th Annual IAMA Winner

The 7th Annual IAMA (International Acoustic Music Awards) is currently accepting entries. IAMA promotes excellence in acoustic music performance and artistry. Acoustic artists in various genres can gain exciting radio and web exposure through this competition. Participating sponsors include Fingerstyle Guitar magazine, D’Addario Strings, New Music Weekly, Loggins Promotion, AirplayAccess.com, Sonicbids, roadjam.com, Kari Estrin Management, Acoustic Cafe Radio Show and Sirius XM Satellite Radio. More sponsors will be announced shortly.

Unlike American Idol, IAMA is open to all independent artists and labels, there is no age limit and people from all countries can enter and best off all entrants do not have to stand in line for hours or days in order to audition. Entrants need to mail in an entry form along with a CD recording or enter online on IAMA’s website.

Win prizes in 8 different categories: Folk/Americana/Roots, AAA/Alternative, Instrumental, Open, Bluegrass/Country, Best Male Artist, Best Female Artist, Best Group/Duo. There will also be an Overall Grand Prize winner awarded to the top winner worth US$11,000, which includes radio promotion to over 250 radio stations in US and Canada. Therefore, winning songs will be heard on radio. Winners and runner-ups will also be featured on IAMA’s compilation CD.

Last year’s winner went to folk singer-songwriter Liz Longley, a college student attending Berklee College of Music. After her win, she was confirmed to be performing in the prestigious Newport Folk Festival.

Judging is based on excellence in music performance, songwriting/composition and originality. Winners are selected by a panel of established artists and industry professionals. Other past winners include: The Refugees (2009 Winner), UK singer-songwriter Charlie Dore (2008 winner). Charlie Dore is most famous in the United States for her 1980 pop single, “Pilot of the Airwaves,” which hit Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 Charts and shot to international worldwide fame. Fertitta and McClintock (USA), Jen Foster USA), Mistin’ (Australia), David Francey (Juno award winner from Canada), April Verch (Canada) and Millish USA).

Winners and finalists of the Awards will be featured in the IAMA website and e-newsletters, read by music press, talent buyers, promoters and other industry insiders. All songs submitted must be submitted must be original and submitted on CD, the artist may perform original material not yet released and written by other songwriters or composers.

Early Entry Bonus: first 1,000 entrants entered by August 31, 2010 will each receive a free gift. Check out:
http://www.inacoustic.com

Liz Longley, Top Winner of the 6th Annual International Acoustic Music Awards

OVERALL GRAND PRIZE WINNER:

When You’ve Got Trouble – Liz Longley
http://www.lizlongley.com

BEST GROUP/DUO
1st Prize: Hurricane – Alathea
Runner-up: Cold – Hey Negrita

BEST MALE ARTIST
1st Prize: Falling Up – Michael Brandmeier
Runner-up: She Breaks – Vienne

BEST FEMALE ARTIST
1st Prize: Waterfalls – Meghan Trainor
Runner-up: Nurse Me Back to Health – Angela Saini

COUNTRY/BLUEGRASS
1st Prize: Simplify – Henhouse Prowlers
Runner-up: Yellow Butter Moon – Doug Spears

AAA/ALTERNATIVE
1st Prize: Sing Your Heart Out – The Trews
Runner-up: Heartbreaker – Jenn Grant

OPEN/AOG
1st Prize: I Will Bleed For You – IVO
Runner-up: 21 Days – Gary Procyshyn

INSTRUMENTAL
1st Prize: Le Mans – El McMeen
Runner-up: Vorizo – The Marc Atkinson Trio

FOLK
1st Prize: When You’ve Got Trouble – Liz Longley
Runner-up: Glenrio – Melissa McClelland

Top 10 Best Acoustic Music Artists (IAMA)

1. Fertitta and McClintock (3rd Annual IAMA Top Winner)

The duo also won first prize in the Best Group/Duo category. Their unique acoustic sound led them to be signed by legendary producer Clive Davis on Arista Records. Their songs have been recorded by Juice Newton, Tiffany, Lorrie Morgan, Sammy Kershaw, Andy Williams, Pat Boone and many more. Their style of music is similar to Loggins And Messina.
www.fertittaandmcclintock.com

2. Charlie Dore (4th Annual IAMA Top Winner)

Remember the hit song of the late 70’s/early 80’s “Pilot of the Airwaves”? Yes, it’s Charlie Dore, she since reinvented herself as a Folk Singer-songwriter and also written hit songs for big name artists such as Tina Turner, Celine Dion, George Harrison, Lisa Stansfield, Jimmy Nail, Sheena Easton and Hayley Westenra. Her soothing soprano voice goes well with lyrics of beautiful imagery in her song such as “Sleep All Day”. I wouldn’t be surprise if this British Artist hits the charts again.

http://www.myspace.com/charliedoremusic

3. The Refugees (5th Annual IAMA Top Winner)

The Refugees is a trio of Cindy Bullens, Deborah Holland, and Wendy Waldman in Americana/Folk genre. Their, passion, songwriting, musicianship, and impressive vocals set them apart from other groups out there. They have performed with Bonnie Raitt. All three members have are accomplished musicians in their own right: Wendy Waldman wrote Vanessa Williams’ #1 hit song “Save the Best for Last,” and “Heartbeat,” performed by Don Johnson and ‘Fishin’ in the Dark,’ sung by The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Cindy Bullens got her start as a back-up singer for Elton John. Since then, Cindy has accompanied John on multiple tours and racked up Grammy Award nominations. Deborah Holland was a member of another three-person band, the critically acclaimed, Animal Logic. Comprised also of Stewart Copeland, Stanley Clarke, the band earned her recognition as both a singer and a songwriter during the 1980s and 90s.

http://www.therefugeesmusic.com

4. Jen Foster (2nd Annual IAMA Top Winner)

Jen Foster displays unique and subtle vocal inflections in her acoustic Pop/Folk material reminiscent of Sheryl Crow and Michelle Malone. Her songs “Taking Bob Dylan” and “In Between Poses” stands out and showcases her unique raspy vocals, catchy melodic lines and lyrics. Website: www.jenfoster.com
5. David Francey (2nd Annual IAMA, Best Male Artist)

Scottish Canadian Singer-songwriter David Francey shines in his songs. His Rootsy Folk songs “Morning Train” exhibits outstanding lyrics and music that keeps you captivated right till the end. “Greenfields” just shows you what a great storyteller and artist that David is. David has won two prestigious Juno awards (Canadian Grammies) and also won first prize in the 2004 USA Songwriting Competition (Folk category). He has various albums released on indie label Jericho Beach Music in Canada and another indie label – Red House Records in the U.S.
www.davidfrancey.com
6. Jason Harwell (1st Annual IAMA Top Winner)

The youthfulness of John Mayer meets the guitar licks of the late George Harrison. Very original. Very fresh. VERY good! “Declaration Song” by Jason Harwell embodies the best of Americana. He captures the youthful longing for exploration conflicted with the fear of the unknown. And there are many more layers of meaning and symbolism in the clear, clean lyrics of this work. Jason has moved back to Georgia and started a record label “Rebuilt Records”. He also tours extensively.
www.JasonHarwell.com
7. Larry Pattis    (5th Annual IAMA, Best Instrumental)

Larry Pattis is a virtuoso guitarist from Creswell, OR, USA. His Classical guitar chops combined with knowledge of composition and Acoustic Folk/Pop arrangement makes him stand apart from other Classical Guitarists making a crossover to Pop. His compositions such as “Eleven Doors” won him First Prize in the 5th Annual IAMA (International Acoustic Music Awards). He has been featured on national Television, NPR, Montreal International Jazz Festival, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and also toured the country as a performer. This artist will go places. His music can also be fit into the New Age radio format. Thus, expanding his career. This is the artist to watch for!

http://www.LarryPattis.com

8. Randy Kohrs & The Lites (4th Annual IAMA, Best Bluegrass/Country)

Randy Kohrs & The Lites won 1st Prize in the Bluegrass/Country category of the 4th Annual IAMA with his song “Rockwell’s Gold”. Randy Kohrs & The Lites has the instrumental chops, great vocals, the songs and artistry in a progressive Bluegrass Style. Randy is also an in-demand session player in Nashville. In 2003, he accepted a gig with superstar Dolly Parton and sang and played dobro with the “Blueniques” for two years. He has also appeared on The Rachel Ray TV show. Randy is also a Grammy Winning producer, winning a grammy for Jim Lauderdale’s Bluegrass Album of the Year, The Bluegrass Diaries. Randy produced, engineered, and mixed it, as well as sang harmony and played on it.

http://www.randykohrs.net

9. Jon Black (3rd Annual IAMA, Best Folk/Americana/Roots)

Winner of the 1st Prize in the Folk category in the 3rd Annual IAMA, Jon Black is currently signed to indie label Rebuilt Records, which is started by former IAMA Top winner Jason Harwell. Jon’s stellar vocals, artistic guitar intros, creative lyric and music writing in “My Days Are Numbered” shines a la John Mayer and Ryan Adams style. Watch out for this artist, he is going places!

http://www.myspace.com/jonblack

10. Suzanne Teng (2nd Annual IAMA, Best Instrumental)

Suzanne Teng won First Prize in the Instrumental category of the 2nd Annual IAMA with her song new age “Chicoy” and also has another song “Katyia’s Dance” which went to the top 10 finalist in the same category. Suzanne is an accomplished flutist, displays excellent phrasing in flute. Excellent hooks in her compositions. The whole performance and composition flows very well with ambient sounds. Nice touch in the music production and arrangement with light percussion. It is surprisingly not over-produced or overwhelming at all. Suzanne has a master’s degree in music from Boston University’s School for the Arts and has studied with some of the finest flute teachers in the world. Her music has received nationwide airplay in United States.
www.SuzanneTeng.com