The Independent Music Awards (IMAs) is an international awards program created by Music Resource Group (MRG) in 2000[1] to recognize self-distributed recordings and releases from independent record labels.[2] The IMAs honor works in over 100 categories[3] that are evaluated by judges who are genre experts.[2]
Notable winners and nominees have included Valerie June, Killer Mike, …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, Flying Lotus, Macy Gray, Five Finger Death Punch, Esprit D’Air,[4]Reeve Carney, Roman Miroshnichenko, Simon Phillips, Foreigner, George Benson, Jeff Healey, Paul Wertico, Frank Colon, Marco Benevento, Roberto Tola, Paquito D’Rivera,[5]Jake La Botz, and Pokey LaFarge.[6]
. . . Independent Music Awards (IMAs) . . .
A preliminary judging panel chooses up to five nominees in each category. A panel of high-profile and celebrity judges then selects winners based on artistic merit.[1]
In addition to the awards selected by judges, the IMAs also gives out Vox Pop awards determined by fan voting.[1]
Judges have included Robert Smith of The Cure, Tom Waits, Gloria Gaynor,[3]Keith Richards,[7] Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart, Judy Collins,[8]Peter Gabriel, Roger Daltrey, Keith Urban and Suzanne Vega.[2]
Winners are announced at the annual award ceremony in New York City.[9]
. . . Independent Music Awards (IMAs) . . .