Weston, MO (Top40 Charts / Irish Music Association) On Saturday, January 25, 2014 , also the eve of the 56 th Grammy Awards presented by the
National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the Irish
Music Association released its list of "The Best of the Best" in Irish
Music from the U.S., Ireland , the European Union, Canada , Australia , and the United Kingdom for 2013.
The Irish
Music Association , which recognizes outstanding Irish artists in 18 different categories, held its 6th Annual Irish
Music Award (IMA) presentation ceremony in the 60-foot-underground historic brewery cellars of the 1842 Royal Brewing Company at O'Malley's Pub in Weston, Missouri . Recipients were presented with beautiful awards trophies handcrafted by the Irish Hand, made of Connemara marble, Durmast/Sessile White Oak, and other materials.
Said IMA Executive
Director R.T. Reeder : "Irish music incorporates many genres from all across the world and is beloved by millions - and yet, it is rarely recognized. Therefore, we created the Irish
Music Association and the Irish
Music Awards to honor musicians from across the world who are continuing the Irish tradition." The awards program can be seen in its entirety at: www.irishmusicawards.com .
He added, "The Irish
Music Association is proud to be the premier organization recognizing and celebrating these outstanding artists. Now, as we look forward to the Irish season and the year ahead, we hope to continue spreading an appreciation for Irish music and creating more fans of the genre."
Reeder, who founded the organization in 2003, said the mission of the IMA is to "promote, produce and perpetuate Irish music worldwide by producing shows, sponsoring festivals, and producing the annual Irish
Music Association Awards Ceremony."
This year's "Lifetime Achievement Award" went to legendary Irish musician, songwriter and record producer Phil Coulter for his dedication to Irish music. Over his lengthy career, Coulter amassed 23 platinum discs, 39 gold discs, two Grand Prix Eurovision awards, a GRAMMY nomination, a Meteor Award, and many other awards. He is also known as one of the biggest record sellers in Ireland and was awarded the Gold Badge from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors in 2009.
The 2013 Irish
Music Award Recipients are:
Top Solo Performer in Concert (US, IRE, EU, UK): Keith Harkin
Top Solo Performer in a Pub Venue (US, IRE, EU, UK): Keith Harkin
Top Duo in a Pub, Festival, Concert (US, IRE, EU, UK): Ryan
Kelly & Neil Byrne
Top Group (US, IRE, EU, UK): Runa
Best New Irish Artist(s) (IRE, EU, US, UK): Gothard Sisters
Best New Irish CD: Ryan
Kelly and Neil Byrne - Acoustically Irish :
Top Celtic Rock Band (IRE, EU, US, UK): The Fighting Jamesons
Best Irish Tenor (individual): Emmet Cahill
Best Female Vocalist (individual/trad.): Meav
Best Sean-nos Singer: Brid Ni Mhaoilchiaran
Top Traditional Performance Show: The Chieftains
Top Traditional Group in a Pub, Festival, Concert: Runa
Tommy Makem Award: The Dubliners
Top Uilleann Piper (US, IRE, EU, UK): Kieran O'Hare
Top Harpist (US, IRE, EU, UK): Moya Brennan
Top Fiddle/Violin (US, IRE, EU, UK): Cora Smyth
Top Button Accordion (US, IRE, EU, UK):
Danny O'Mahony
Lifetime Achievement Award: Phil Coulter
Reeder said that the Irish
Music Association has a growing online presence through social media. The association has also created more sophisticated email system to improve its communication with members. See its Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/irishmusicassociation . Sign-up for updates at: https://www.irishmusicassociation.com/irishmusicawards/join.php?type=free .
Said Reeder, "We're very proud of the immense talent of our awards recipients. We encourage everyone, Irish or not, to follow us online and check out the music by all of our nominees and winners."
https://www.irishmusicassociation.com/
