Best Instrumental Artist Winner El McMeen Performs On Video
Virtuoso Guitarist El McMeen performing his winning song “Le Mans” and talks about it. He won the Best Instrumental in the 6th Annual IAMA (International Acoustic Music Awards). El McMeen clearly stands head and shoulders above other instrumentalists we have seen. His heartfelt solo acoustic steel string guitar works such as “Le Mans, “Song For Sheila” and “Breakout” showcases his guitar chops as well as his knowledge of composition. His music is truly outstanding, heartfelt and spiritual. His music should do well on Sirius XM Spa Channel as well as Guitar Player Magazine and Fingerstyle Guitar Magazine. Even established acoustic guitarist out there would appreciate this artist. Watch out for this instrumentalist, he is going places!
7th ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL ACOUSTIC MUSIC AWARDS KICKS OFF
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
Tune in to the USA Songwriting Competition Podcast.
Music featured in this episode by:
Melissa Greener – Bullets To Bite
Kyler England – You And I
Eric Colville - The End of War
Nicole Morier – Good Boy
Carla Coppa – I’m Not
Anne Simoni – Papagaio
Sarah Lonsert – Dancing Through Life
Jordan Zevon – Home
Ari Gold – Where the Music Takes You
The Waifs – Bridal Train
Kate Voegele – Only Fooling Myself
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (61.7MB)
6th Annual IAMA Finalist, Amelia Curran holds her Juno trophy as she hams it up for photographers after receiving the Juno for Roots and Traditional Album Of The Year: Solo for “Hunter, Hunter” at the 2010 Juno Gala Dinner and Awards show at the St. John’s Convention Centre in St. John’s Saturday. (Photo by Joe Gibbons/The Telegram, used by permission). Amelia Curran was a finalist in the Folk/Roots category of the 6th Annual IAMA (International Acoustic Music Awards).
“I had to play the songwriters’ circle this afternoon and now we’re here. Things haven’t stopped, and it’s all very confusing,” she said Sunday while walking the red carpet into the 2010 Juno Awards TV broadcast.
She is heading out on tour – to Western Canada and then the United States – for the next six weeks.
IAMA (International Acoustic Music Awards) promotes excellence in Acoustic Music Performance and Artistry. Acoustic artists in various genres can gain exciting radio and web exposure through this competition. 
