Deadline Looms - The 15th Annual Acoustic Music Awards

Registration deadline looms for the 15th Annual IAMA (International Acoustic Music Awards); this is great opportunity for music artists everywhere. IAMA is the preeminent awards for musicians, 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 Acoustic Cafe and Sirius XM Satellite Radio. Music artists stand a chance to win awards in eight different categories: Best Male Artist, Best Female Artist, Best Group/Duo Folk, Americana/Roots/AAA, Instrumental, Open (any musical style or genre), Bluegrass/Country, etc. There will also be an Overall Grand Prize winner awarded to the top winner worth over US$11,000, which includes radio promotion to over 250 radio stations in US and Canada.

IAMA is sponsored by: D’Addario Strings, New Music Weekly, Loggins Promotion, Airplay Access, Aspri Reverb, Sirius XM Radio, Acoustic Café Radio Show, Bandzoogle, MixButton, MusicGateway.com, Kari Estrin Management & Consulting, and Sonicbids.

In its 15th year, IAMA has a proven track record of winners going on to get signed and hit the Billboard Charts. Meghan Trainor was discovered by IAMA seven years ago and is now a global superstar with #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 Charts with "All About That Bass" (#1 for 9 weeks) and #1 on The Billboard 200 Charts with her debut album "Title", won for a Grammy award for Best New Artist in 2016. Meghan hit #46 on the Billboard Charts again this year again with "No Excuses". Meghan has a staggering 9 songs so far on the Billboard Hot 100 Charts so far, enough to release a "Greatest Hits Album" in her young career. The 2nd Annual IAMA winner Zane Williams’s winning song was recorded by country music star Jason Michael Carroll, that song hit #14 on Billboard Country Charts and #99 on Billboard Hot 100 Charts. Jeff Gutt, a finalist at the 9th Annual IAMA was a runner-up on X-Factor USA. Charlie Dore (known for her #1 hit “Pilot of the Airwaves”) was the top winner in 2008.

Los Angeles based singer-songwriter Kevin Fisher (see pictured) won top honors at the recent 14th Annual IAMA (International Acoustic Music Awards) with his song "Beer Me", he wrote the song with Brett Boyett. The song hit #4 on the UK HOT DISC charts. He is a multi-platinum selling songwriter. Rascal Flatts, Sara Evans, Uncle Kracker and many others have recorded his songs. As and artist himself and a writer for others, his songs are being played all over the world. His music has been featured on TV (True Blood, Pretty Little Liars, America's Funniest Home Videos, etc).

STARS AMONG THE WINNERS AND FINALISTS
Tom Chapin, brother of late great legendary folk singer Harry Chapin, won Best Male Artist with his song "Fair Pay Fair Play Blues".

Other notable finalists include Bertie Higgins, known for his #1 hit "Key Largo" and Top 10 hit "Just Another Day in Paradise". Singer-Songwriter Priscilla Hairston was also a finalist, who has written hit songs for Kelly Clarkson, Mariah Carey, Fifth Harmony, Rihanna and more.

The opportunity for musicians ends soon. The deadline to enter is November 9th. For more information, go to: http://www.inacoustic.com

Brandon Bonine Releasing New Single "Only With You" In Anticipation Of Debut Album Launch

Singer-songwriter Brandon Bonine announced the release of his upcoming new single "Only with You" for Tuesday, March 20th. This is the troubadour’s third single in anticipation of his much talked about upcoming debut album WARRANTED WORRIES coming this Spring.

“I’m super excited about my release of ‘Only with You’,” says newcomer Brandon Bonine. “I wanted to create the perfect summer song for 2018, something everyone could groove to, and we have it. This is the perfect track to tease my debut album and what is to come!”

Brandon’s soulful and raw acoustic sound often draws comparisons with John Mayer. He has studied under Pat Metheny, and proudly finds musical inspiration from Townes Van Zandt, John Mayer, Stevie Ray Vaughn – as well as Metheny. His jazz/blues/rock infused Americana style has similarities with the Avett Brothers.

The music video for Brandon’s first single Remember My Name (directed by Diego Cruz of Detroit) from the upcoming debut album was recently nominated for Country Music Video of the Year at the Midwestern Music Video Awards and best Male Indie Music Video by LA Music Critic. Brandon worked with well-known Director Diego Cruz again on the new music video for Only with You creating a beautiful visual story for the sexy song.

Brandon is establishing himself as one of Detroit’s top indie jazz guitarists performing house concerts & gigs as well as building a following as a songwriter - even collaborating with YOUNG RJ of Slum Village (J Dilla, 50 Cent).

The new single “Only with You” was recorded at Big Sky Recording Studio, and was written and produced by Brandon Bonine. The new single will be available March 20th from Midwestern Heartbreak Records via iTunes, Spotify, and Amazon.

Upcoming Tour Dates – Brandon Bonine
May 5 – Ann Arbor, MI – The Ark – Album Release Party

Weblinks: www.BrandonBonine.com/ www.facebook.com/brandonbonine/
www.twitter.com/brandonbonine/ www.instagram.com/theofficialbrandonbonine/
www.soundcloud.com/brandonbonine

About Brandon Bonine
Born and raised in the shadow of the Motor City, Brandon Bonine found music early on in life. Probably first hearing Teddy Pendergrass and Aaron Copland in his diaper, it was hard for him not to feel the infectious groove. First picking up the guitar at the age of 11, he spent hours learning from the jazz cats of his dad’s record collection, idolizing the poster of Slash on his wall. He was rejected from music school, but that didn’t stop him. Throughout college he divided his time between jazz gigs and DJing parties, often trading meals to build up his record and coffee collection. He finds inspiration from Pat Metheny, whom he’s studied under, Townes Van Zandt, John Mayer, and Stevie Ray Vaughn. After college he hooked up with YOUNG RJ of Slum Village(J Dilla, 50 Cent) and began crafting his next body of work. Halfway inspired by his life events and trying to capture that feeling of driving on a dirt road after having one too many espressos. To capture the vibe he was headed for, he teamed up with RJ RICE (producer; Poe, Pet Shop Boys) and formed a band with DANA DAVIS (Aretha Franklin, Byron Cage) and CHRISTON MASON (TLC, Phillip Phillips). Go hit those like buttons and hop on the groovy train, with a little bit of good Midwestern heartbreak. Stay up to date with Brandon at BrandonBonine.com

https://soundcloud.com/brandonbonine/only-with-you-30-second-teaser/s-qTDWP
http://www.mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=202500

Gathering Time Sweeps March Folk Radio Chart

Gathering Time, a Long Island, New York-based folk-rock harmony trio, had both the #1 album (Keepsake) and the most-played song ("Who Knows Where the Time Goes") on folk radio in March, according to charts compiled from radio playlists submitted to the Folk DJ Listserv (FOLKDJ-L), an electronic discussion group for DJs and others interested in acoustic-based music on the radio. Gathering Time also had six of the 25 most-played songs, which made them the most-played artist on the chart. More than 140 DJs from throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe and Australia submitted playlists in March. The trio plans to use its Folk-radio success as a springboard to an Americana radio release in late May.

Each song on Keepsake, Gathering Time's fourth full-length CD (officially released on March 1), documents a common experience by focusing in on something tangible that represents a memory. Band member Hillary Foxsong, who conceptualized the album and curated its production, explained the idea behind it: "A Silver Star, a mom's guitar, a battle scar, a lover's letter from long ago. All are physical things imbued with greater meaning by the memories attached and the significance of what they symbolize. Each is a Keepsake."

The collection contains 14 songs, including nine by the trio's members (Foxsong, Stuart Markus and Gerry McKeveny), one song each by Long Island songwriter Martha Trachtenberg and Catskills-based songwriter Stuart Kabak, two covers of 1970s classics (including "Who Knows Where the Time Goes" by the late English folk-rock singer-songwriter Sandy Denny), and an interpretation of a traditional Irish/Welsh folk ballad. Keepsake builds on the strength of the trio's previous release, When One Door Closes…, which was #3 on the international Folk-DJ chart for January 2014.

Blending many streams of folk-rock and Americana, the CD entwines multiple folk music traditions, including Irish and Appalachian folk, British-style blues, roots country, 1960s folk-rock and modern singer-songwriter. A hallmark of Keepsake is the three-part harmony for which Gathering Time has made its name on the northeast folk circuit and beyond.

The trio has drawn the attention of folk fans with a sound reminiscent of musical luminaries of the 1960s such as The Byrds, Peter, Paul & Mary, Joni Mitchell, and Crosby, Stills & Nash. However, Gathering Time's head-turning harmonies and instrumental acumen broaden its appeal to a wider audience that includes many who never considered themselves fans of folk music.

More information may be found online at www.gathering-time.com, while videos -- including one of a recent concert performance in Glen Cove -- may be viewed on the trio's website and at www.youtube.com/gatheringtimetrio.

Comments from Folk DJs:

"Keepsake, the new project from Gathering Time, is often philosophical, some-times sentimental, but ALWAYS wrapped in their magical harmonies! The new CD is certain to incite a goose bumps attack!"
- Joltin' Joe Pszonek, Radio Nowhere on WMSC (Montclair, NJ)

"With three strong songwriters whose voices blend beautifully, the future of the folk trio is in good hands. Gathering Time has really come into its own with Keepsake."
- Graham Dean, WBCR (Great Barrington, MA) and WRPI (Troy, NY)

"Tight harmonies, interesting arrangements…Energizing live performers, to boot! Gathering Time is on the rise."
- Wanda Fischer, WAMC Hudson Valley Radio (Schenectady, NY)

http://www.gathering-time.com

http://www.soundcloud.com/gatheringtime

http://www.mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=190914

Deadline looms for 12th Annual Acoustic Music Awards

The deadline of the 12th Annual IAMA (International Acoustic Music Awards) is fast approaching. IAMA is the preeminent musician awards for up-and-coming music artists. It promotes excellence in Acoustic Music performance and artistry, it is geared towards today's best up-and-coming music acts. Together for an exclusive, once-in-a-year event. Acoustic artists in various genres can gain exciting radio and web exposure through this competition. Win a Top Prize of US$11,000 worth of Prizes.

Entrants come from all over the world: Australia, Canada, Japan, Brazil, Germany, USA, South Africa, etc. Judging is based on excellence in music performance, songwriting/composition/song choice, music production and originality/artistry. You can enter in a number of categories such as: Best Male Artist, Best Female Artist, Best Group, Folk, Alternative, AOG (Open Category), etc.

IAMA has been generating buzz in the musician scene.

"I have felt more connected with International Music Acoustic Awards far more than any other music award competitions or musician awards. IAMA has followed my facebook page, responded quickly with any questions I've had and I continue to have positive interaction with the staff" said Amanda Grace, a singer-songwriter from Minnesota.

"The favourite thing for me is that its so easy to enter your competition online. I experience very helpful people working at the company. I would say that it’s a great competition to enter into and it is well run and the company are a very professional outfit" said Paul O'Brien, a singer-songwriter from Ireland.

Past years' winners include: Meghan Trainor, Carl Wockner, Kelley James, AJ Croce, Maddy Rodriguez(Canada), David Francey (Canada), Liz Longley, Charlie Dore (Hit Singer-Songwriter from UK), The Refugees (USA), Kate Lush (Australia), Wayne Southards (USA), Larry Pattis (USA), Omega (Uganda), El McMeen, etc. Last year’s winner went to Australian singer-songwriter Carl Wockner who won the overall grand prize as well as the Best AAA/Alternative Song.

"I am blown away with this huge win. When you are so passionate about the music you create, it's hard not to live it, but to know that others love it as much as me feels ninja amazing" said an elated Carl Wockner, who became the first Australian to win the top award at IAMA.

"I am very excited and surprised to win", said Meghan Trainor, 6th Annual IAMA Best Female Artist Winner, who stunned the music industry by hitting #1 with a debut single and album on the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard 200 Album charts respectively last year. Her debut single "All About That Bass" became a mega hit and Meghan has become an international household name, her hit single sold over 12 million copies in the first 6 months. She has two new songs on the Billboard Hot 100 Charts "Like I'm Gonna Lose You" a duet with John Legend, at #28 and "Marvin Gaye" a duet with Charlie Puth, at #21.

IAMA is sponsored by: D'Addario Strings, New Music Weekly, Loggins Promotion, Airplay Access, Lewitt Microphones, Aspri Reverb, Music Industry Blueprint, Sirius XM Radio, Acoustic Café Radio Show, SemiClef.com, Kari Estrin Management & Consulting, SongU, and Sonicbids

Win prizes in 8 different categories: Best Male Artist, Best Female Artist, Best Group/Duo, Folk/Americana/Roots, AAA/Alternative, Instrumental, Open and Country/Bluegrass. There will also be an Overall Grand Prize winner awarded to the top winner worth over US$11,000, which includes radio promotion to over 250 radio stations in US and Canada. Winning songs will be heard on radio! Winners and runner-ups will be featured on our CD compilation. Also, we feature up to 10 different artists get featured and promoted on IAMA website every month, which provides a review, ratings, CD information and more.

Judging is based on excellence in music performance, songwriting/composition and originality. Winners are selected by a panel of established artists and industry professionals. 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. Deadline to enter is November 6th. Information: http://www.inacoustic.com

http://www.mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=187170

"Nights Like These" Album From Doug Osborne To Be Released September 4, 2015

Nights Like These is an all-new 12-song album. "These songs come straight from my heart, and I'm very proud of these recordings that take me back to my acoustic roots with unprecedented quality and some great guests." Nights Like These features the title song, the moody instrumental Zar-Ptak, and a cover of Lucinda Williams' Burning Bridges. Song styles include Singer/Songwriter balladry, Americana, Folk and Acoustic Rock. Radio and podcast formats include AAA, Modern AC, Roots, and Americana.

Nights Like These is the fourth album from Doug Osborne's project to release ten albums over the next few years, standing beside his collaboration with Casey Fallen. Special guests include Kristen King on Drums, Howard Weisbrot on Drums, John Kibler (We Are The West) on Acoustic Bass, Pop Cautious recording artist Devin O'Rourke (Punch Drunks) on background vocals, and Bruce Dumes on piano. Doug sings all songs, wrote all except for Burning Bridges, played acoustic and electric guitar, cello, electric bass, keyboards, harmonica, banjo, and percussion, as well as recording, producing, mixing and mastering the album.

Doug has played on stages all across America, from The Paradise, Bunrattys and The Rat in Boston, to The Whiskey, Troubadour and Club Lingerie in Los Angeles, with shows planned in the Los Angeles soon. His recordings have been played on radio from WBCN, WERS and WFNX in Boston to ChirpRadio.org in Chicago, and KCRW, KXLU, and LA Talk Radio in Los Angeles.

Doug Osborne's other recent projects include:
-Casey Fallen - Orbis Pictus (co-wrote, co-produced, mixed, played guitar and bass)
-Serious Fun EP and Remastered Singles
-Casey Fallen - Atmospheric Disturbances
-Love Takes a Long Time - 10-song album released January 6, 2015
-Take a Look - 10-song album released April 3, 2015
-Red Red Moon (tentative title) - New Rock and Blues album scheduled for release in 2016

SOCIAL:
DOUGOSBORNEMUSIC.COM: http://www.dougosbornemusic.com
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/DougOsborneMusic
TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/DOsborneMusic
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/user/dougosbornemusic
SOUNDCLOUD: http://www.soundcloud.com/dougosbornemusic
CASEYFALLEN: http://www.caseyfallen.com
TUMBLR: http://dougosbornemusic.tumblr.com/
CDBABY: https://www.cdbaby.com/cd/dougosborne
BANDCAMP: https://dougosbornemusic.bandcamp.com/
REVERBNATION: http://www.reverbnation.com/DougOsborneMusic
SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3wKGa0wDu00f05nSEPrlGc

"NIGHTS LIKE THESE" redandslow 1504 889211020324 ###

http://www.mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=185062

USA Tour Looming For Critically Acclaimed Tony James Shevlin

"We had some great reviews and radio play off the back of promoting the album last year and an overwhelming response when putting the tour together this year" said Pete Thompson, at Oh Mercy! Records. "Tony has gigged and promoted this album tirelessly over the last year and being able to head off to the USA, which is a big influence on him and his sound, is a great way to start the summer".

Tony will also be promoting his new acoustic EP with some pre-release copies available to those that are lucky enough to catch him live while in the USA.

For more information on the USA tour dates and other Tony James Shevlin news then please check out the website.
http://www.tonyjamesshevlin.com

http://www.dropbox.com/s/xapv6uugkoy7rhj/02%20Nobody.mp3