Irish Music Association's Online Voting for 2011 Award Nominations is Open Now through Jan. 12, 2011

Music Awards Presentation Night to Take Place on Wed., Jan. 26, 2011 at 7 PM at O'Malley's Pub in Weston, MO

WESTON, Mo., Dec. 28, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Irish Music Association (IMA) will honor the "best of the best" in Irish music at the Third Annual Irish Music Award Presentation on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011 at 7 p.m. in the historic brewery cellars of the 1842 Royal Brewing Company at O'Malley's Pub in Weston, Missouri, it was announced today.   The pub is located at 500 Welt Street, in Weston, MO (approx. 20 minutes from North Kansas City).  Tel: 816.640.5235.

"The IMA's Award Presentation Night highlights the most celebrated Irish music and talent, from the more traditional to the eclectic," IMA Executive Director R. T. Reeder said.  This year's nominations include some of the Irish music industry's most famous artists and performing groups. For a complete list, visit: http://www.irishmusicawards.com/

Reeder, who founded the organization in 2003, said the mission of the IMA is to "promote, produce and perpetuate Irish music worldwide."  This is accomplished by producing shows, sponsoring festivals, and producing the annual Irish Music Association Awards Ceremony, he said.

The IMA Awards event helps "recognize, promote and support Irish music and musicians from the U.S., Ireland, the European Union and the United Kingdom."  Eighteen awards will be presented at the award ceremony, from "Best Solo Performer in a Concert Venue" to "Top Celtic Rock Band Worldwide" to a "Lifetime Achievement Award" for dedication to Irish music.  

Recipients will be determined through a global website voting process on the Irish Music Association website, which started earlier this month and will continue through Jan. 12, 2011.  Last year, more than 3,000 people voted; thousands more are expected to participate.  To vote, visit: http://www.irishmusicassociation.com/

Award categories are as follows:

• Top Solo Performer in Concert (US, IRE, EU, UK)
• Top Solo Performer in a Pub Venue (US, IRE, EU, UK)
• Top Duo in a Pub, Festival, Concert (US, IRE, EU, UK)
• Top Group (US, IRE & EU)
• Best Female Vocalist (individual/traditional) (US, IRE, EU, UK) 
• Best New Irish Music Artist(s) (US, IRE, EU, UK)
• Top Celtic Rock Band (US, IRE, EU, UK)
• Top Irish Tenor (individual)
• Best Sean-nos Singer
• Best New Irish CD
• Top Traditional Performance Show  
• Top Traditional Group - In Festival, Pub & Concert
• Tommy Makem Award
• Top Uilleann Piper (US, IRE, EU)
• Top Fiddle (US, IRE, EU, UK)
• Top Harpist
• Top Button Accordion (US, IRE, EU, UK) 
• Lifetime Achievement Award

Last year's award recipients included (but were not limited to): Brian O Hairt for "Sean nos Singer," Celtic Woman for "Top Group," Mairead Nesbitt for "Top Fiddle," and Anthony Kearns for "Best Irish Tenor."

Reeder said the IMA has received an overwhelming response to this year's awards process, from the number of performing artists and groups nominated — to the number of votes already cast.  "This outpouring of support reflects a growing appreciation and love for the music of Ireland," he said.

Reeder said he is pleased the awards ceremony will take place at O'Malley's Pub, host of the annual O'Malley's Weston Irish Festival.  The pub is also home to the Weston Brewing Company and the American Bowman Restaurant.   Promoted as the "oldest brewery West of the Hudson," the brewery sponsored the first Kansas City Royals baseball team in the early 1900's.

http://www.westonirish.com/OMALLEYS.html

Tickets to IMA's Award Presentation Night can be secured by visiting www.ticketleap.com  (Tickets are $10 per person for non-members; free admission for IMA members.)

For more information, contact R. T. Reeder by email at [email protected] or by phone at 816.699.9950.

SOURCE Kirsten Fedewa for Irish Music Association