Finalists for the eighth annual Independent Music Awards were announced on Nov. 19. Produced by Music Resource Group, publishers of The Musician’s Atlas, the Independent Music Awards feature more than 50 music and design categories and were open to any indie-label release or self-produced, self-distributed recording released between July 1, 2007 and Sept. 30, 2008.

“From seasoned professionals, to emerging newcomers, this is the most diverse group of nominees the program has recognized,” said Martin Folkman, who directs the awards program. “The level of talent is extraordinary and reflects the vast talent pool found in the indie scene.”

Among the finalists are such seasoned veterans as Martin Sexton (nominated for Solo, his career-spanning retrospective, in the Live Performance Album category); banjo virtuoso Tony Trischka (nominated for his release, Territory); Dan Zanes (nominated in the  Children’s Album category for Nueva York); John Sebastian & David Grisman (nominated in the Americana Album category for their collaboration, Satisfied);  and the late blues guitarist Jeff Healey (nominated in the Blues Album category for Mess Of Blues).

In the Americana category, song finalists include Alathea from New York for “Hurricane;” Kelleigh McKenzie from New York for “Gin;” Twilight Hotel from Manitoba, Canada for “Highway Prayer;” Unsparing Sea from Ohio for “Where Serpents Held Esteem," and The Wilders from Missouri for “Hey Little Darlin.”  Album finalists in the Americana category include North Carolina-based Grasstowne for The Road Headin’ Home; John Sebastian and David Grisman of California for Satisfied; Kelleigh McKenzie  for Chances, and Valerie Smith & Becky Buller of Tennessee for Here’s a Little Song. McKenzie also is nominated in the Cover song category for her version of The Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby,” while The Wilders also received a nod in the Alt. Country Album category for Someone’s Got to Pay. 

In the running for top Song in the Folk/Singer-Songwriter category are Australia’s Xave Brown for “Call of the World;” Andrea Hamilton of California for “It’ll Be Alright;” Angelique Keni from the United Kingdom for “Fireflies;” Israel’s Panic Ensemble for “Spring in Your Heart,” and Lucy Wainwright Roche from New York for “Snare Drum.”  Album finalists in this category include Rebecca Martin of New York for The Growing Season; Anne McCue of California for East-of-Electric; Anders Osborne of Louisiana for Coming Down; Amy Speace of New York for The Killer in Me, and Eric Wilson of Texas for The Twenties.

Among those joining Zanes in the running for top Children’s Music album is another New York-based singer songwriter, who also writes and performs songs for adults – Paul Helou.  His Bears, Bees and Butterflies has already won several other awards.

Winners of the eighth annual Independent Music Awards will be named later this year.  According to the Music Resource Center, the awards are designed to enhance visibility and opportunities for independent artists through year-long promotion, marketing and distribution programs.  These include distribution of an IMA winners’ compilation CD to hundreds of college and public radio stations, as well as at various music conferences and festivals.  

Music fans also have an opportunity to hear the nominated songs and a track from each of the nominated albums on the IMA Finalist Jukebox at www.independentmusicawards.com/ima/jukeboxes.asp.  They also can view all the finalists in the Design and Music Video categories.  As part of a Vox Populi poll, fans can vote for their favorite finalists in all categories. Although these votes will not affect the judges’ final decisions, Music Resource Group plans to announce the Vox Populi winners next year and promote them throughout 2009.