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McMeen Among Top 10 Acoustic Musicians of Decade
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| Posted: September 23, 2011 |
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Source: Piney Ridge Music |
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McMeen Among Top 10 Acoustic Musicians of Decade
The International Acoustic Music Awards organization ("IAMA") has announced that guitarist El McMeen has been included in its list of IAMA's "Top 10 Best Acoustic Music Artists of the Decade". McMeen, whose composition "Le Mans" won First Prize (Instrumental) in the 6th Annual IAMA international competition, was one of the honored musicians. The announcement was made on the IAMA website (www.inacoustic.com/blog/2010/12/top-10-best-acoustic-music-artists-of-the-decade), and focuses on IAMA winners during the history of IAMA.
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McMeen is one of only two instrumentalists included in the listing. The other artists are singer-songwriters or singing groups. Those include Fertitta and McClintock, signed by Clive Davis of Arista Records; Liz Longley, overall winner of the 6th annual IAMA competition; and Charlie Dore, who has written hit songs for Tina Turner, Celine Dion, and George Harrison. The other instrumentalist honored, Larry Pattis, interestingly enough, was McMeen's touring partner in the early 2000's.
In honoring McMeen, IAMA stated in its release:
"Fingerstyle guitar virtuoso El McMeen clearly stands head and shoulders above other instrumentalists we have seen. His heartfelt solo acoustic steel string guitar works such as "Song for Sheila" and "Breakout" showcases his guitar chops as well as his knowledge of composition. His music is truly outstanding, heartfelt and spiritual."
In addition to his winning the IAMA instrumental competition in February, and being selected for IAMA's Top 10 list, McMeen's composition "Song for Sheila" was a Finalist, with Honorable Mention (runner-up), in the Instrumental category of the 2010 USA Songwriting Competition, whose results were announced on its website (www.songwriting.net/winners).
Commenting on the Top 10 honor, McMeen said, "I feel very blessed to have been included among such a group of wonderful musicians." He chuckled as he went on to say, "the good Lord allows me to play in the sandbox of a little musical recognition every now and then - as long as I don't take it too seriously. I mean, my little guitar pieces aren't exactly Beethoven's 9th!"
IAMA administers a yearly international competition for professional and amateur acoustic musicians, and selects individual musicians for special honors.
As stated on its website (www.inacoustic.com), "IAMA promotes excellence in Acoustic Music Performance and Artistry. [The annual] competition is open to all amateur and professional musicians and songwriters and anyone regardless of nationality or origin. Winners will be chosen by a Blue Ribbon Judging Committee comprised of music industry professionals including A&R managers from record labels, publishers and producers."
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