Butch Walker, Daryl Palumbo, Jennifer Arroyo & Billy Graziadei to Judge the Independent Music Awards

The Independent Music Awards (IMAs) has announced the first wave of distinguished artists and industry professionals joining the IMA judging panel that will determine the winners of the upcoming 8th annual IMA program.

Artist panelists already confirmed for this year’s program:
Peter Gabriel, Roger Daltrey, Suzanne Vega, George Jones, Buddy Guy, Paquito D’Rivera, Lee Ritenour, Keith Urban, James “Blood” Ulmer, Steve Vai, Clint Black, Rob Wasserman, DJ Skribble, John Patitucci, Zakk Wylde, Butch Walker, Brian Littrell (Backstreet Boys), Tim Lambesis (As I Lay Dying, Austrian Death Machine), Daryl Palumbo (Head Automatica, Glassjaw), Kristen Henderson (Antigone Rising), Billy Graziadei (Biohazard, Suicide City), and Jennifer Arroyo (ex-Kittie, Suicide City).

Industry panelists participating in this year’s program include influential music and new media press as well as radio, TV & Festival programmers such as: Anthony DeCurtis (Rolling Stone, Contributing Editor), Bob Ludwig (Gateway Mastering, Engineer), Aimee Allen (Indie 103.1, DJ), Jason Olaine (The Festival Network, VP of Programming), Mike Errico (Blender.com, Editor), Joe Cuello (MTV Networks), Barbara Dacey (mvyradio.com, Director of Worldwide Programming), Lee Mergner (JazzTimes, Editor In Chief), Paul Anthony (Rumblefish, CEO), K. Tighe (Venus Zine, Music Reviews Editor).

The judging panelists are responsible for selecting the winners in the programs’ 54 song, design and music video categories. Additional judges and new program highlights are expected before the submission deadline on August 1, 2008.

The IMAs – ‘the awards program for the indie revolution’ is an unique international program that promotes top-ranked independent artists, labels and releases to more than 15 million music fans and industry decision makers.

“Everyone affiliated with the IMAs is honored to have these visionary artists and influential industry pros participate in what is regarded as one of the music industry’s most effective programs for giving vetted indie talent access to larger fan bases, airplay distribution, broadcast and performance opportunities” said Martin Folkman, Director of the Independent Music Awards. “Their creative and professional perspectives and their industry affiliations help us to support a wide variety of independent musicians and releases that are making an impact on today’s chaotic music scene” said Folkman.

Music Resource Group, parent of the Independent Music Awards and publisher of the music industry’s popular print and online contact databases, the Musician’s Atlas and AtlasOnline is able to promote IMA Winners to more than 15 million music fans and key industry gatekeepers such as radio programmers, talent buyers, film, TV & gaming music supervisors, distributors and retailers due to its unique relationships with the music industry overall as well as its strategic partnerships that include: online retail giant eMusic, digital network ManiaTV; radio promotion gurus The Planetary Group, PureVolume, HIP Video Promo, The Coalition of Independent Music Stores (CIMS), Venus Zine, Burnside Distribution, radio tracking service, MediaGuide and The Stream of Consciousness Interactive Television Network.

IMA Winners & Finalists enjoy a full year of print, online, broadcast and retail promotions as well as performance opportunities throughout the year. The finalists of the 8th program will be announced in October 2008; Winners to be announced in December.

In addition to the winners selected by the IMA reviews panel, the program also features a ‘peoples choice’ component – the IMA Vox Populi poll designed to provide more opportunities for indie artists to be heard and win new fans. The IMA Vox Populi Winners are also promoted to industry and music fans via print, online and other promotional initiatives. Last year, more than 37,000 music fans from around the globe cast their votes in the Vox Populi poll.

To see a full list of judges and to read their bios, visit www.independentmusicawards.com

Contact: Joelle@independentmusicawards.com