Stars And Fans Celebrate Best Of Independent Music And Movies At Annual LA Music And Hollywood F.A.M.E. Awards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 (HOLLYWOOD, CA, November 15, 2012)—Hollywood celebrities, musical artists, and entertainment producers crowded into the Avalon nightclub on Hollywood and Vine Thursday to celebrate the nominees and winners of the 22nd Annual Los Angeles Music Awards and 6th Annual Hollywood F.A.M.E. Awards. All in all, over 1,000 people attended the star-studded event, which featured a 40-foot red carpet that was inundated with media personnel and excited fans.

“Every year the organizers of the LA Music Awards and Hollywood F.A.M.E. Awards put on a spectacular show. Tonight, with its large crowd and media frenzy, appears no different and continues the tradition of the great red carpets I witnessed at Paramount Studios two years ago and at the Avalon last year. We have a lot of attendees here from both the music and film businesses, and I believe that the artists and producers in both camps are benefiting from the opportunity to network for future projects,” said John Carvalho, an advocate for the arts, music and entertainment in West Hollywood. Carvalho was a panelist at the 2012 LAMA Voting Party held previously at the Whisky on Sunset where he spoke on the importance of social media for developing recording artists. “I think when you unite the promotion of an artist on social media with the publicity gained from red carpet exposure at LAMA, you have a real opportunity to bring a beginning artist to another level where he or she can perform his or her music full time while also making connections with more established artists and producers.”

Indeed, the Hollywood F.A.M.E. Awards that are announced at the LAMA events every year honor leaders and visionaries in a variety of fields such as entertainment, music, sports, politics, television and film. Past recipients of the award have included former President Jimmy Carter, Filmmaker Stanley Kramer, Comedian Larry Hankin, U.S. Senator Max Cleland, The Jackson Kids, Jamie Hilfiger, James Brown II, and Producer Keith Olsen. Last year, Booboo Stewart, from the movie “Twilight” (starring Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner) received the award. This year his sister Fivel was honored, along with Madonna’s guitarist Monte Pittman, classic rock radio icon Brad Mercer, Kerris and Justine Dorsey (whose credits include “Moneyball” with Brad Pitt, “Walk the Line”, and “Brothers and Sisters”), and Olympic gold medalist Olga Korbut. There was an emotional moment this year when Jason Becker won the Hollywood F.A.M.E. Award. The virtuoso guitarist had triumphed over ALS disease even though doctors had only given him three years to live. Provided that both the LAMA and Hollywood F.A.M.E. Awards are presented in one simultaneous show, beginning artists have the opportunity to network with industry icons that have already made it big.

The Los Angeles Music Awards, founded in 1991 by industry expert Al Bowman, honors the rising stars of independent music and gives them a platform to move towards commercial success by creating a Hollywood media event that generates high profile publicity. The red carpet reception on Thursday was covered by close to 150 media outlets and was followed by a dinner banquet, awards presentations, and live musical performances by a host of artists such as Cheating Daylight. Even David Osborne, the pianist who has performed at the White House for the past four presidents of the United States, including Barack Obama, attended the show.

Some artists traveled great distances to receive their award. “I came all the way from Louisiana,” said “Win The Day” whose song “Walk the World” won for “Rock Single of the Year.” Giusepinna Torre, who performed on stage and took away the recognition for best “International Artist or Band,” traveled even further having flown in from Rome, Italy.

In terms of practicality, Glitter Rose, one of the singers who also attended, claimed that the LAMA was doing a fantastic job of getting the word out for independent artists and offering them a spot to play at such an elaborate venue as Avalon. “I really appreciate what you guys have done,” she stated to the organizers.

“Now that was a great show,” beamed LAMA founder Al Bowman at the elegant after party on the roof and library of the Redbury Hotel, which was also highly attended following the live performances. Bowman has produced numerous, successful red carpets in the city, starting with his extravaganza at Paramount Studios three years ago that included Hollywood F.A.M.E. honors to former President Jimmy Carter. Now he has added another one to his repertoire that has allowed independent artists to showcase themselves and reap the rewards of publicity from the music media. Bowman’s long and distinguished career in music was the feature of a recent exposé in Examiner.

Among the winners at Thursday night’s LA Music Awards were Stevie Hawkins (Male Singer/Songwriter of the Year; Record of the Year), Sheyna Gee (Female Singer/Songwriter; Country Single), AKRON (Rock Album; Hot AC Artist), and Marirose (American Blues and Roots Artist). Mozaik won the “Pop Single” award for the song “Make it Rain”, Lisa Panagos received best “Electronica/Dance Artist”, and Sean Ward captured the award for “Country Artist of the Year.” Tom Slack, who is also up for two Grammy nomination considerations this year, walked away with “Best Jazz Artist.” Producer’s Choice recipients were also honored and included Monks of Mellonwah (International Rock Band of the Year), Black Raven (Instrumental Album of the Year), Stephanie K (National Vocal Performer of the Year), and Nicole Willard (Breakthrough Single of the Year for her song "Misery"). Longtime Hollywood photographer Bob Delgadillo, a stalwart at red carpet events around the city, received a Producer’s Choice Award for “Career Achievement in Photography”, and Myah Marie Langston won an award for her recording studio achievement for two Britney Spears albums. Langston was also a nominee in other categories. Mikey Jayy, Executive Producer of the “Artists In Music Awards”, also was recognized for his work with the independent music industry and his collaboration with the LAMA.

The complete list of the 2012 Ballot and Producers Choice recipients can be found at: www.lamusicawards.net/recipients.html .

The Los Angeles Music Awards has been a valuable asset for furthering the professional careers of musicians and artists for over two decades. For more information on the awards, visit: www.lamusicawards.net .