Critically Acclaimed Singer-Songwriter Jonatha Brooke has won top honors in the 15th Annual Acoustic Music Awards. She also won Best Female Artist.

For more than two decades Jonatha Brooke has created shining musical gems – brilliant combinations of poetic lyrics, complex harmonies and memorable melodies – that have earned her legions of devoted fans and journalistic raves as a highly respected artist.

With ten solo releases (and two from her duo The Story) to her credit, her most recent endeavor was writing and performing the one-woman musical My Mother Has 4 Noses.

“I am thrilled and honored to be recognized. It’s also inspiring that my song “Put the Gun Down” that addresses such a pressing issue in a personal way, can have an impact and win this award,” said Jonatha Brooke.

She was previously signed to MCA Records and Elektra Records. The critically acclaimed project—which ran in NYC at The Duke on 42nd Street— documents the poignant journey of caring for her mother, who was in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s-induced dementia, during the last two years of her life. Another notable project was 2008’s The Works, a collection of songs written after being invited into Woody Guthrie’s archives by his daughter. Jonatha combed through previously unseen lyrics of Woody’s, edited, pared, and set them to her own new music, creating a stunning collection of songs.

Currently Jonatha, who lives in Minneapolis, is touring her recently released CD Midnight. Hallelujah., working on two new musicals, and plans on performing more dates of 4 Noses in various cities. A 5 song EP of new songs will be released soon.

STARS AMONG THE WINNERS AND FINALISTS

Bertie Higgins, known for his #1 hit “Key Largo” and Top 10 hit “Just Another Day in Paradise” is a finalist in the Best Folk category. Singer-Songwriter Rory Block won a runner-up award in the Best Female Artist category. She was previously signed to Chrysalis Records and Rounder Records.

Here is the list of winners:

Overall Grand Prize Winner
“Put the Gun Down” by Jonatha Brooke

INSTRUMENTAL
FIRST PRIZE: “Waiting for News” by Les Finnigan (CANADA)
RUNNER-UP: “It Was There All Along” by John Floridis

OPEN
FIRST PRIZE: “That’s the wine” by Jade Holland (AUSTRALIA)
RUNNER-UP: “Don’t Let Life Get In The Way” by Tarryn Aimée Smith

AAA/ALTERNATIVE
FIRST PRIZE: “Shades of Pale” by Sam Levin
RUNNER-UP: “Siren” by Luke James Shaffer

FOLK/AMERICANA/ROOTS
FIRST PRIZE: “Scars” by Michelle Lewis
RUNNER-UP: “Leather Skin” by Midnight Shine (CANADA)

BEST GROUP/DUO
FIRST PRIZE: “Dixie Bride” by The Vogts Sisters
RUNNER-UP: “Bittersweet” by Sol-Setter

BEST MALE ARTIST
FIRST PRIZE: “Two Hearts And A Diamond” by Jesse Labelle
RUNNER-UP: “Silver lining” by Josh Audet-Smith (CANADA)

BEST FEMALE ARTIST
FIRST PRIZE: “Put the Gun Down” by Jonatha Brooke
RUNNER-UP: “Gonna Be Some Walkin’ Done” by Rory Block (CANADA)

COUNTRY/BLUEGRASS
FIRST PRIZE: “The Devil, A Wounded Man and Me” by CoCo O’Connor
RUNNER-UP: “Fire On The Mountain” by David Kuncicky

ABOUT IAMA (International Acoustic Music Awards)

IAMA (International Acoustic Music Awards) promotes the art and artistry of acoustic music performance and artistry. In its 16th 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 nine years ago and is now a global phenomenon 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, won for a Grammy award for Best New Artist.

2nd Annual IAMA winner Zane Williams’ 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, finalist at the 9th Annual IAMA, was a runner-up on X-Factor USA.

Charlie Dore (known for her hit “Pilot of the Airwaves”) was the top winner in 2008.

For more information on winners and finalists, go to:
https://www.inacoustic.com/winners

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