Hollywood, CA), December 2, 2012—The Artists In Music Awards (AIMA) offered an exciting line-up of live performances
during its red carpet nomination show at the historic Whisky A Go-Go on
Sunset. The highly attended December 2nd event, produced by Mikey Jayy,
was hosted by Hollywood personality Nic Creznic and benefited the PAIN
Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing awareness
against domestic violence and child abuse.“We are here tonight to present to you the nominees for the 2013 awards celebrating the very best in independent music while also serving an important charity,” said Nic Creznic at the beginning of the program.
Indeed, a number of highly acclaimed independent musicians are nominated for the AIMA this year. The LA Music Awards winner Willie Ames, hot off a trip from Australia and a U.S. tour, is up for Best Folk/Acoustic Artist. In the Midst 777, another LAMA winner, is receiving two nods for Best Christian/Gospel Artist and Best Metal/Hard Rock Band. Similarly, The Controversy is also having a good year, accepting nominations for Best Music Video and Best Alternative Artist, as is Jazz Artist Tom Slack, who won this year’s LAMA, and is competing in three AIMA categories including Best Adult Contemporary Artist. On December 5th, Slack will know whether his two hit songs “Missing You” and “Spend The Night With You” will carry one or both of the Grammy nominations they are being considered for.
Marneen Lynne Fields, who surprised the Whisky last September during the LA Music Awards Voting Party for her “James Bond” theatrical performance with International Actor Pierre Du Lat for her song “Shadows”, is carrying an AIMA nomination for Best Blues Artist. Derik Nelson, who could not attend the event because he was performing with pop star Katy Perry, is being recognized for Best Jazz Artist. Perhaps one of the most competitive categories could be Best Pop Artist, where Melanie Taylor, Amy Barbera, Beu Sisters, Cheating Daylight, and Jamie Alimorad are all vying for the award. Taylor gave a highly energized concluding performance at the show, which had the crowd thrilled, as well as Executive Producer Mikey Jayy. “I do enjoy a good, happy ending. Melanie Taylor put on a fantastic performance. That was a demonstration of why she's nominated for Best Pop Artist and Best Dance Artist”, said Jayy. Indeed, industry insiders believe that she could be a strong favorite for the award, but only at the final AIMA red carpet in February will fans know for sure.
Other nominees include Janice Whaley (Best Singer/Songwriter), Juan Francisco Zerpa (Best Latin Artist), Leave it to Us (Best Punk/Post Punk Artist; Best Alternative Artist; Best Rock Artist), Gus Summers (Best Radio Disc Jockey), and Katie Cole, Alex Cartwright, and Abi Ann (all of whom are competing for Best Country Artist). Abi Ann also performed on stage at the event.
Others who gave live performances aside from Melanie Taylor and Abi Ann were Glitter Rose, In Air, Deedub, Cheating Daylight, Andreas Desmond, and Soren Bryce. All of the performers were also nominated. Glitter Rose, who electrified the crowd with her set of three songs, received nods for Best Country Artist and Best Rock Artist and is an odds on favorite. In Air gains a nod for Best Alternative Artist, Deedub for Best Urban/Hip Hop Artist, Soren Bryce for Best Folk/Acoustic Artist, and Andreas Desmond for Best Adult Contemporary Artist. Cheating Daylight, the LAMA winner, is up for Best Alternative Artist and Best Indie Rock Artist.
Like last year, the Dec 2nd AIMA show also featured some nominations in
other categories. Five individuals vied for “Producer of the Year” and
two nominations were given for the “Lifetime Achievement Award” (one of
which went to the radio icon Brad Mercer, who was in the news this past
month for receiving the 6th Annual Hollywood F.A.M.E. Award). An “LGBT
Person of the Year” nomination was also announced for individuals who
have furthered the LGBT voice in the music industry. International pop
sensation Adam Lambert, West Hollywood Arts, Music and Entertainment Advocate John Carvalho, and Singer/Songwriter Laura Vall (who was the
recipient of the award last year) were among those mentioned.Executive Producer Mikey Jayy established the Artists In Music Awards (AIMA) two years ago in order to recognize and promote the best independent music artists from around the world. Since then, AIMA has climbed into the top music awards organizations, competing alongside the Grammys, American Music Awards, Los Angeles Music Awards, Latin Grammys, and MTV Awards. In terms of its World-Wide Web presence on Google search for “music awards”, AIMA recently ranked 4th. “I suspect that like with the Los Angeles Music Awards, AIMA will be the prelude to the Grammys, whereby artists who have won either a LAMA or AIMA will place themselves in perfect position for a Grammy nomination consideration,” suggested John Carvalho on the red carpet. Indeed, a number of artists, such as Black Eyed Peas, No Doubt, Sugar Ray, Eddie Money, and Kris Searle, have done just that, and this year the Jazz Artist Tom Slack is in contention in two Grammy categories. “I am really happy with how far this awards show has come so far and the great attendance that we are getting at these events. I am looking forward to another exciting year for AIMA as it continues to grow,” said Executive Producer Mikey Jayy.
AIMA Artists have been showcased throughout the summers and nominations are given out in multiple categories. Executive Producer Mikey Jayy also founded the #1 ranked podcast music and talk show, “The Great Unknowns Presents” and is the Managing Editor of “All Indie Magazine.” His latest project, launched in April 2012, KGUP 106.5FM “The Emerge Radio Networks,” is a radio station created to promote and showcase worldwide emerging independent artists. Jayy’s work for the independent music industry also earned him a Community Service Award from The LAMA, which was presented to him by industry leader Al Bowman at the Dec 2nd event.
Among the sponsors of the event were 101distibution, Independent Music Promotions, Greg Bennett Entertainment Group, Music Xray, KGUP 106.5FM, The Emerge Radio Networks (the official radio station of the Artists In Music Awards), and John Cassese (one of the most recommended dance instructors on the West Coast who received a “Come Back Album of the Year” AIMA for his “Never Too Late”). Taylor Van Arsdale of Tailfish Productions helped publicize the event.
The Artists In Music Awards will hold a concluding red carpet show on February 8, 2013 during awards season at Whisky A Go-Go. At that engagement, the winners of the AIMA categories will be announced.
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
The PAIN Foundation, also known as Prevention Awareness In Neighborhoods, is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing awareness against domestic violence and child abuse through film. To make a donation or learn more about the organization go to: www.unmaskingthepainwithin.com
