The Josie Music Awards 2024 winners were announced on October 27 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee. Click here for the complete list of winners.
The Josie Music Awards is the largest music award show in the independent music industry. It recognizes and celebrates excellence globally. The awards ceremony brings together thousands of industry professionals and artists from around the globe to celebrate their achievements.
This year, five Music Spotlight artists were recognized: Taylor Hughes, Southern Rock/ Country Rock Female Vocalist of the Year; Johnathon Heilbroun, Artist Of The Year, Young Adult Male; Taylor Sanders, Best Performance in a Music Video; Houston Bernard, Best Music Video of the Year, Performance Based-Male; and Clare Cunningham, Female Entertainer of the Year.
Here’s what the artists told me:
Taylor Hughes – ” I am incredibly honored and thankful to have been named “Southern Rock/ Country Rock Female Vocalist of the Year.” There are so many talented artists in this category, and it means the world to me that my hard work and dedication to my craft and my fans is paying off. This year has tested me and pushed me in so many ways, but my little team and I have put in the work, and I’m so proud of what we have accomplished. I am very thankful for my family, friends, my fans and the Josie Music Awards for believing in me and continuing to support me. I can’t wait to create more music, tour and meet more of my fans, and see what the new year has in store for me. This is just the beginning, and I have God to thank for that!”
Johnathon Heilbroun – “As a 16-year-old independent artist in the country music industry, the Josie Awards hold a dear spot in my heart. I was shocked when I learned I was nominated for 5 Josie Awards. At that point, I considered myself a winner just to be put in the same category with so much talent. When I walked on that stage at the Grand Ole Opry and accepted what I consider the biggest award I could receive that night as Artist Of The Year Young Adult Male, I was truly overwhelmed. This is the greatest achievement in my music career thus far. I owe all credit to God, my manager and vocal coach, Miss Mama Jan Smith, my family and friends, and a huge shout-out to my fans. Miss. Josie, Miss Tina Marie, and the Josie Awards will always hold a special place in my heart. Thank you for the huge warm welcome into the family.”
Taylor Sanders – “Winning a Josie Music Award is a celebration of outstanding craftsmanship in music and entertainment and reflects the courage we, as independent artists, build and maintain in order to dream, persevere and inspire audiences all over the world. It’s a reminder of my place in country music and a foreshadowing of where I’m going next; up! “Tennessee Love” is a project I am so proud of and winning “Best performance in a music video” means so much because I was 7 months pregnant while filming. Between my fatigue, hormones and all those takes and wardrobe changes, that was just not an easy thing to accomplish! Thank you, Josie Music Awards, for recognizing my music along with the music of so many other great independent artists that might otherwise fall through the cracks.”
Houston Bernard – “I feel blessed to be recognized and to be on that legendary stage. This song “In My Blood” is all that encompasses my heart, honesty, and a way to honor my family.” (If you have not watched this video, see it below. It is magnificent.)
Clare Cunningham – “I am beyond honored to receive this recognition from the Josie Music Awards at the iconic Grand Ole Opry. Every moment spent pouring my heart into my music, every mile traveled across the world to lift spirits and spread the gospel, has brought me here. This award truly celebrates all the hard work, dedication, and passion I pour into every performance, sharing joy, love, light, and peace through the gift of music. To my Savior Yeshua – Thank you! Every step, every challenge, and every triumph has led to this moment. I embrace it all and pray that this platform continues to grow so I can keep doing what I love!”
Other evening highlights included Tiffany being honored with the JMA Icon Award and performing her song “I Think We’re Alone Now.” Â Neal McCoy sang his hit “The Shake,” which had the audience dancing. McCoy was presented with the Lifetime Career Achievement Award. John McEuen received the Musician’s Lifetime Career Award. Randy Edelman was presented with the Songwriters Legend Award. And JD Shelbourne performed his smash hit, “All Night Kiss.”
I also spoke with Tinamarie Passantino, the creator of the Josie Awards. She stated, “The Josie Show started in 2009, where we worked and chatted with independent artists. We wanted a way to celebrate them, so the Josie Awards were born in 2015.
The Josie Awards feature many categories, and they increase each year. Passantino explained, “Categories are only added as there is a need for them, or sensible divisions of categories are created since the number of nominees tends to rise with the submissions rising each year.”
Artists and performers must submit their song/EP/Album/Video(s) to the Josie Awards for consideration. A team selects winners after reviewing each nominee/category in depth.Â
Personally, this was my first red carpet, and I spoke to nearly 90 artists in three hours. They were singers/songwriters/bands/producers from all genres from all over the world. Many traveled days to Nashville, and many were first-timers at the Opry and Music City.
For example, Canadian Country-Pop Artist Jackie Putnam came from Nova Scotia, Canada. Her album The Phoenix received seven nominations. It was her first time attending the Grand Ole Opry.
With modern technology, anyone can upload music to streaming services. Some of it is not great, but a lot of the music is fantastic. The Josie Awards give these hardworking, talented artists a place to shine.
Click here for a photo gallery of the 2024 Josie Awards.
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Bethany Bowman is a freelance entertainment writer. You can follow her blog, Facebook, Instagram, and X.
