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.

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. Info:
http://www.inacoustic.com