ANN ARBOR, MI (SoulTracks) - SoulTracks, the leading online resource for classic and modern soul music, has announced the winners of its 2005 Readers Choice Awards, the largest international awards dedicated to independent soul music – i.e., music released by artists independent of the major international record labels.
For eight days in November, SoulTracks conducted an online poll of its substantial readership to choose the Best Male Vocalist, Best Female Vocalist, Best Duo or Group and Best Album of 2005. The ten nominees in each category were among the brightest stars of independent soul music, ranging from classic soul performers like the Chairmen of the Board to hot newcomers such as P.J. Morton. The voter response was overwhelming and from virtually every continent, causing SoulTracks to add online voting stations throughout the eight day event and demonstrating the growing interest in independent soul music both in the U.S. and abroad.
'We were overwhelmed by the interest shown by soul music fans around the world in our event,' said SoulTracks founder and publisher Chris Rizik. 'Broadcast radio has focused so much on hip-hop, that it has often overlooked the tremendous soul music that is being released by extremely talented signed and unsigned artists. The thousands who participated in these awards demonstrated the thirst fans have for music that is fresh, exciting and also uplifting and positive. We saw substantial votes coming in from virtually every age group and country.'
The major award winner in the album category was Frank McComb for his CD 'Straight From the Vault.' The top duo or group was the L.A.-based group The Rebirth, and the top male and female vocalists were Rahsaan Patterson and Meli'sa Morgan, respectively.
The top five vote-getters in each category will be spotlighted on SoulTracks in December, with the winners receiving special recognition. In addition, SoulTracks will be running a contest where it will be giving away CDs by the winners in all four awards categories. To enter, readers should send their email entries to CDgiveaway(at)soultracks.com between Dec. 1 – Dec. 5, 2005.
The full Awards results are posted at https://www.soultracks.com/award_winners.htm . The following is a list of the top five vote-getters in each SoulTracks awards category:
Best Album
Frank McComb – Straight From the Vault (winner)
Angela Johnson – Got To Let It Go
Janita – Seasons of Life
P.J. Morton – Emotions
Conya Doss – Just Because
Best Duo or Group
The Rebirth (winner)
Cooly's Hot Box
Tortured Soul
Chairmen of the Board
Steve Butler feat. Ron Haynes
Best Male Vocalist
Rahsaan Patterson (winner)
Frank McComb
Will Wheaton
Gordon Chambers
P.J. Morton
Best Female Vocalist
Meli'sa Morgan (winner)
Sy Smith
Angela Johnson
Conya Doss
Sunny Hawkins
