"Won't Let Go," a beautiful song that Baltimore-based singer-songwriter Sonia Rutstein penned for her father has been named Song of the Year for 2006 by earBUZZ.com, an e-commerce site for indy artists. [To read the short article in its entirety, click on the headline.]

Winners in The 6th Annual Independent Music Awards were announced Jan. 30. Among the album category winners are: Americana – Kristy Kruger Folk/Singer-Songwriter – Dan Bern World Traditional – The McDades Among the song category winners are: Americana – Melissa McClelland Folk/Singer-Songwriter – (tie) Jonah Smith, The Guggenheim Grotto World Traditional – Inca Son

The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) will present a 2007 Lifetime Achievement Award to singer-songwriter and social activist Joan Baez at an invitation-only ceremony during GRAMMY week in February. During a career spanning more than 45 years, Baez has released more than 30 albums and inspired a generation of female singer-songwriters. In addition to scoring hits with her own compositions like “Diamonds and Rust” and “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,” the soprano with a three-octave vocal range also has drawn accolades for her interpretations of songs by the likes of The Beatles and Bob Dylan, among others.