Winners of the 2nd Annual Artists In Music Awards Announced

Katie Cole, John Cassese, Glitter Rose, Beu Sisters, Melanie Taylor, “The Ground Above” Among Those Who Take Home Coveted Trophies

Winners of the Artists In Music Awards have been announced at the Key Club in West Hollywood, CA.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Hollywood, CA), February 7, 2013—The Artists In Music Awards (AIMA) has announced the 2013 winners in all categories at the world famous Key Club ahead of Grammys weekend.

AIMA trophies were given to some of the finest emerging music artists at the star-studded, red carpet event that included members of Quiet Riot, Patrick Kilpatrick, featured LIVE performances, and concluded with an energized after-party for the guests where the winners eagerly awaited for their trophies.  The highly publicized AIMA was executively produced by Mikey Jayy and hosted by Hollywood personality Nic Creznic and Los Angeles Music Awards founder Al Bowman.

This year’s LIVE performances at AIMA featured artists that are some of the most talented names in independent music, including Mike Ben Yami, Cheating Daylight, Haster, Ko-Lition, Leave It To Us, Travis Royce, The Controversy, and Glitter Rose. All of the performers were also nominated.

The 101 Distribution “Artist of the Year” was awarded to Katie Cole. Cole, originally from Melbourne, Australia, describes her own style of music as having flavors of Tom Petty, Sheryl Crow, Fleetwood Mac and Colbie Caillat. She calls it "Americana meets British Pop". Acclaimed Record Producer Howard Willing (Smashing Pumpkins, Counting Crows, Sheryl Crow) found her music on the web and reached out to Cole and eventually helped her to produce the successful EP “Lost Inside A Moment”, which received extensive radio play in the United Kingdom. Since then Cole has released a number of songs and has won many awards for her work including an AIMA in 2012.  Her song “Gravity” was featured on all major US Television networks including NBC, ABC, CBS, Bravo and Comedy Central.  Cole has just released her new single “I Can’t Wait” and is working on her new album "Lay It All Down", featuring Kris Kristofferson and Instant People.  At this year’s AIMA, she also carried the “Best Country Artist” category.

The multi-talented choreographer, singer, and producer John Cassese received “Come Back Album of the Year” for his “Never Too Late”.  Cassese is a nationally recognized dance instructor who has trained such celebrities as Adam Sandler, U2’s The Edge, Elizabeth Hurley, and Sir Ben Kingsly.  “Singing is always something I have focused on and has always been a big part of my life,” said Cassese, “but because I was dancing and teaching dance so regularly, I put my singing career on the back burner, though it was never, ever far from me. It has always been and always will be a great passion.”  Critics state that Cassese’s new album “Never to Late” features some of the most touching, emotional and romantic songs.

Glitter Rose, nominated for “Best Rock Artist” and “Album of the Year" for Dead or Alive, won big last night, carrying both competitive categories and giving another excellent stage performance.  “I just can’t believe that I also won Album of the Year tonight!” exclaimed Rose to the press, “This is such an honor for me.  I never would have expected it this year even though I put my heart and soul into this album production.  I am so thankful that AIMA recognized the music on this album.”  Glitter Rose’s career has been highlighted by many awards as she has also won the LAMA in the past.  “Many record labels wanted her to switch to pop, but she stayed true to her music and never gave in.  She loves rock music and will always excel in rock,” explains her manager.  Industry experts agree, stating that Rose feels comfortable in her musical genre and appears to be having fun with her work on stage.  Rose will be showcasing more of her music at an upcoming red carpet event at the Hardrock Café in Hollywood.

Beu Sisters took the award for “Best Pop Artist”. The sisters, Candice, Christie and Danielle Beu, came to the attention of award-winning songwriter Desmond Child (Kiss, Bon Jovi, Aerosmith), who introduced them to record producer Steve Greenberg and the sisters became the second act signed to S-Curve Records.  They released their debut album “Decisions” in 2002, which received rave reviews, and then went on to garner numerous movie and television soundtracks: “The Lizzie McGuire Movie Soundtrack”; “Home on the Range”; “How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days”; “Because of Winn Dixie”; “Ella Enchanted”; “Smallville”; “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” among them.  They have also been featured on “The Disney Channel.”

Melanie Taylor took the award for “Best Dance Artist”, a category that some industry insiders felt that  she was an odds-on favorite for after her excellent performance at the Whisky A Go-Go during the AIMA voting party back in September. After releasing two singles, Taylor has just released her debut album, “All About Today”, with Sly Doggie Productions. Taylor is currently working on a brand new dance single that will be released internationally.

The Ground Above was nominated for 3 awards and won 2 including Best Electronica Artist.  Following their positive youtube debut, The Ground Above received airplay on Internet Radio stations like "Suck Free Radio" and "Indie 100" and have produced for some up and coming names including "Spencer Kane," which landed Avery Berman the second win in the “Producer of the Year” category.

Other winners included Reachback (Best Music Video) for their song "No One Else", Ill Funk Ensemble (Best R&B/Soul Artist), Static People (Best Punk/Post Punk Artist), Trevor Sewell (Best Blues Artist), Tom Slack (Adult Contemporary Artist of the Year), Alex Economou (Best Jazz Artist), Samy Gana (Best Latin Artist), Walla (Best Indie Rock Artist), Soren Bryce (Best Folk/Acoustic Artist), Ko-Lition (Best Urban/Hip Hop Artist), and the group In the Midst 777 (Best Christian/Gospel Artist). The only repeat category winner, In Air took home the Best Alternative Artist award for the second year in a row.

Four other awards were given:  “The Critics Choice Award For Breakthrough Artist of The Year” went to Lisa Panagos, Brad Mercer received the "Alan Freed Award for Lifetime Achievement”, and John Carvalho was honored as “LGBT Person of the Year” for entertainment advocacy to LGBT recording artists.

Executive Producer Mikey Jayy established the Artists In Music Awards (AIMA) two years ago in order to recognize and promote the finest emerging music artists from around the world. Artists are showcased throughout the summers and nominations are given out in multiple categories.

Among the sponsors of the event were 101Distribution, Independent Music Promotions, Greg Bennett Entertainment Group, KGUP 106.5FM "The Emerge Radio Networks" (the official radio station of the Artists in Music Awards), Advantage Distribution, John Cassese, and Tailfish Productions. Taylor Van Arsdale of Tailfish Productions helped publicize the event.

To view all of the nominees or get more information on the Artist in Music Awards and submissions for the awards, please go to: www.aimusicawards.com