Contact: Lauren Veteri
Music Resource Group
973-767-1818
Lauren@MusiciansAtlas.com
Montclair, NJ - April 18, 2007: The Independent Music Awards (IMAs) – an international program that promotes independent artists, labels and releases to more than 11 Million music fans and industry – will enhance the playlist of parents and children by adding a new Children's Music category to an already broad spectrum of album and song categories spanning genres from Heavy Metal to Gospel.
Now in its 7th year the IMA program raises the profile of independent musicians, labels and releases by providing marketing, broadcast and distribution opportunities to independent artists, labels and releases.
Entries received from Japan, Australia, Guam, Argentina, Cuba, Israel, Spain, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Italy, Greece, Estonia, Russia, Ireland, the UK, Canada and the United States reflect the program's stature and reach throughout the international independent music community.
"Music is the universal language, able to soothe savage beasts and even children" said IMA Director Martin Folkman. "Music created by Indie artists transcends all boundaries and genres and provides exciting alternatives for parent's and children tired of more mainstream, mass-marketed releases."
Winners are determined by A-list Artist and Industry judging panel that has included: Lou Reed, Peter Gabriel, Norah Jones, Wynonna, Tom Waits, Melissa Ethridge, Ray Davies, Ozzy Osbourne, Suzanne Vega, Aimee Mann, Rosanne Cash, Jimmy Cliff, Mavis Staples and others.
Created by Music Resource Group and co-sponsored by eMusic, Borders Books & Music, The Planetary Group and MediaGuide, IMA Winners appear in a special gatefold section bound into the best-selling industry contact directory, The Musician's Atlas. Tracks of all the winners are included on 10,000 copies of the IMA Winners CD distributed to radio stations, fans and industry insiders. Tracks on the IMA Winners CD are also available as free downloads on the eMusic site.
Winners and finalists credit the program with boosting their visibility with festival & club talent buyers, radio programmers, music press, distributors, industry insiders and fans. IMA Winners & Finalists include: Speech, Lacuna Coil, Phil Roy, Richard Julian, Mary Gauthier, Eleni Mandell, Dan Bern & Chris Whitley.
Entry forms for submission to the 8th annual Independent Music Awards program are now being accepted. Submissions must be postmarked by July 27, 2007.
For a complete list of last year's winners and categories go to: http://www.IndependentMusicAwards.com/pages/jukebox2007.asp
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For more information on Music Resource Group, The Musician's Atlas and The Independent Music Awards, please contact Joelle Caputa at joelle@musiciansatlas.com or at 973-767-1816.