Songwriter Joel Rafael Nominated for Best Americana Album at the 2013 San Diego Music Awards

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Aug 02, 2013, 11:56 ET

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- California songwriter and seminal folk artist Joel Rafael has been nominated for his album America Come Home in the "Best Americana Album" category of the 2013 San Diego Music Awards. The event first took place in 1991, as a way to recognize the achievements of San Diego's local music community and benefits the "Guitars for Schools" program, sponsored by Taylor Guitars. The 23^rd annual awards will be announced Wednesday, October 9^th.

America Come Home is a socially conscious high-energy collection of songs that reflects his unique brand of Americana Power Folk, and is in keeping with the great folk tradition- a genre that Rafael has mastered. The album was released through Inside Recordings, a label created by Jackson Browne and his management. Earlier this year, IAMA presented Joel Rafael with its "Best Folk Song 2012" Award for the album's single, "Dance Around My Atom Fire," a co-write with Woody Guthrie. Joel has a long history of carrying on the legacy of Woody Guthrie through two prior cover albums Woodeye and Woodyboye.

Other album highlights include, the title track, "America Come Home," as well as "Singing In The Streets," penned by Eagles' songwriter Jack Tempchin (also from San Diego), and "Racing & Chasing The Sun," a song Rafael debuted in Tucson at the Fund for Civility, Respect and Understanding benefit concert-which was organized by the recently elected Tucson Congressman Ron Barber, former district director for Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords-following the Tucson shootings in January 2011.

Joel Rafael has been writing and performing since high school and over the past decades has released a stunning collection of eight Americana albums. He has opened for acts such as Rick Danko, Emmylou Harris, John Lee Hooker, John Stewart, Laura Nyro and Taj Mahal. He has collaborated with artists such as Crosby, Stills & Nash, Jackson Browne and Rosie Flores.

www.joelrafael.com

SOURCE Inside Recordings