Singer-Songwriter Jonatha Brooke won top honors at the 15th Annual Acoustic Music Awards. She also won Best Female Artist.
For more than two decades Jonatha Brooke has created musical gems - combinations of poetic lyrics, complex harmonies and memorable melodies - that have earned her 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 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" was 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” 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
Information on winners and finalists, go to inacoustic.com/winners
