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

IAMA (International Acoustic Music Awards) is judged based on songwriting, performance & artistry. Win prizes in 8 different categories:  Best Male Artist, Best Female Artist, Best Group/Duo, Folk/Americana/Roots, AAA/Alternative, Instrumental, Open, Bluegrass/Country. 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!

DEADLINE APPROACHING: All entries must be entered by Nov 30, Hurry! Enter online via Sonicbids:
http://www.sonicbids.com/iama2009

Music featured in this episode by:
Larry Pattis – Eleven Doors

The Refugees -  Unbound

Fertilla & McClintock -  Do You Run

Charlie Dore – Looking For My Own Lone Ranger

Jesse Terry -  Against The Tide

Jason Harwell – The Declaration Song

Jen Foster – Taking Bob Dylan

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

D’Addario Folk Nylon Strings

Are steel strings making your fingers sore? Your choice of a nylon or steel string guitar will be based on your musical preference.

However, nylon strings tend to be less tender and sore than steel strings. A good example of Folk Nylon Strings are:

Folk Guitar Nylon String Set by D’Addario with ball ends. Clear Trebles, These strings offer 80/20 Bronze on nylon with clear trebles. Folk Nylon strings are high quality nylon strings with ball ends on each string to facilitate easy installation on classical guitars, as well as steel string acoustic guitars if desired. Information:

http://store.daddario.com/category/146063/Folk_Nylon

10. The Grey Eagle (Asheville, NC)
A good listening room-style club in United States. They attract a lot of touring national and regional artists in all styles of Acoustic music: Bluegrass, Zydeco, Folk, etc. It is a centerpiece in Asheville’s  folk music community.

9.  Tin Angel (Philadelphia, PA)
This is an intimate acoustic venue. Right from the opening night, Tin Angel has presented an wonderful array of stars from the world of blues, rock, folk and country. This has long been a perennial favorite among Folk acts in the country.

8.  White Eagle (Portland, OR)
It is good to see a venue supporting local musicians where many established venues do not. The interesting tibit is that the club is also a small inn run by the McMenamins Brewing Company.

7.  The Bitter End (New York, NY)
They host songwriters night along with national touring acts. The venue has lived through generations of folk singer-songwriters.

6. Cactus Cafe (Austin, TX)
This has been a main stay for the venerable SXSW Music Conference, which takes over Austin, TX every March. It’s schedule indicate the who’s who in the singer-songwriter world.

5. Douglas Corner Cafe (Nashville, TN)
This venue was created for showcasing new singers and songwriters in Nashville. It soon grew to become a well known “Home Away From Home” for Nashville’s top songwriters and future music stars.  It host open night for songwriters. It has been a showcase venue for such big stars as Alan Jackson, Trisha Yearwood, The Kentucky Headhunters, Billy Dean, John Berry, Blake Shelton and many others.

4. The Living Room (New York, NY)
This venue is great for acoustic musicians in an intimate stetting. This space generally imposes a one-drink minimum per set and the standard passed bucket of  tips. Touring acts will tell you that this venue is a best kept secret for great selection of live music and reasonably priced drinks.

3.  Club Passim (Cambridge, MA)
This is a non-profit, smoke-free, all-ages venue has become the centerpiece for one of America’s most lively and talented communities of traditional and contemporary acoustic acts. They host regular open mic night, and always attracts great touring acts. They also host campfire series for Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend.  Club Passim has served as a launching pad for several legendary folk musicians such as Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, and Joni Mitchell.

2. Eddie’s Attic (Decatur, GA)
Eddie’s Attic is located just on the outskirts of town of Atlanta. They host open mic nights as well as national touring acts.  Shawn Mullins got his start here before hitting the big time. Touring acoustic acts will tell you that this is a “must  play” for their  gigs.

1. Bluebird Café ( Nashville, TN)
The legendary Bluebird Café  takes the top spot of the best venue for a reason. There’s nothing particularly aesthetically special about the place which is located in an ordinary strip mall in Nashville. However, A&R representatives from record labels can tell you that it is one of the best places to check out talent. Songwriters from all over can tell you that they want to perform in the cool venue so bad. The famous ‘Songwriters-In-The Round” was invented here by Amy Kurland, founder of the Bluebird Café. They host regular writers night where you can hear the orginal songwriters performing on their hit songs, what a better place to listen to your favorite songs right from the source!

Or enter online via Broadjam:
http://www.broadjam.com/contests/details/contest/index.php?contest_id=1493

Or enter online via Sonicbids:
http://www.sonicbids.com/iama2009

Unlike American Idol, IAMA is open to all independent artists and labels, there is no age limit and people from all countries can enter. Also, 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 acoustic folk group “The Refugees”, fronted by hit singer-songwriter Wendy Waldman, who wrote Vanessa Williams’s #1 hit song “Save the Best for Last’.

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: 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. Deadline to enter is November 9 ‘09.
http://www.inacoustic.com