For the seventh consecutive year, Smithsonian Folkways has earned multiple Independent Music Awards as selected by a panel of judges:

• Best Bluegrass Album: The Seldom Scene, Long Time...Seldom Scene
• Best Bluegrass Song: The Seldom Scene, "Mean Mother Blues"
• Best Compilation Album: Various Artists, Classic African American Songsters from Smithsonian Folkways
• Best Latin Album: Flaco Jiménez & Max Baca, Flaco & Max: Legends & Legacies
• Best Music Website: Smithsonian/Visual Dialogue, folkways.si.edu

According to the IMAs, these projects are awarded for the totality of artistic excellence based on originality, musicianship, musicality, vocals, recording quality, and other categories.

Including the winners, thirteen Smithsonian Folkways entries were finalists for the 14th Independent Music Awards. All finalists are also eligible for the Vox Populi, “voice of the people”, awards, determined by fan voting. Voting is open until midnight on Friday, September 11. Submit your votes by clicking here and giving each entry a 5 star rating (registration required).

• Best Children’s Music Album: Ella Jenkins, 123s and ABCs
• Best Compilation Album: Dave Van Ronk, Down In Washington Square: The Smithsonian Folkways Collection
• Best Latin Album: Serenata Guayanesa, ¡Canta con Venezuela! Sing with Venezuela!
• Best Re-issue Album: Various Artists, Songs of the Spanish Civil War, Vol. 1&2
• Best Blues Song: Brownie McGhee, "Pallet on the Floor"
• Best Holiday Song: Elizabeth Mitchell, “Children Go Where I Send Thee”
• Best Artist Publicity Photo: Jana Leon, Elizabeth Mitchell Lights (promo for The Sounding Joy)
• Best Artist Publicity Photo: Tom Pich, Flaco Jimenez & Max Baca (promo for Flaco & Max: Legends & Legacies)