As legends and superstars continue to defect from the major labels to assert control over their careers, the Independent Music Awards and Music Resource Group announce more than 50 Winners in Music, Music Packaging and Design categories for the 7th Annual IMAs. New categories honored this year include Music Video, Music For Children, and College Record Label release.

Reflecting the breadth of the independent music community, IMA Winners and Finalists represent a mix of established artists such as Koko Taylor (Blues Album winner), Miguel Migs (Dance/Electronica Album winner), Ike Turner (Blues Album finalist), Bob McGrath (Children’s Album finalist), and Ernie Watts (Jazz Album winner), alongside Indie favorites including The Apples In Stereo (Pop/Rock Song winner), Johnny Dowd (Alt. Country Album winner), Joan As Police Woman (Pop/Rock Album winner - Tie,) and rising stars including No More Kings (Pop/Rock Album winner - Tie), Miko Marks (Country Song winner), Girl In A Coma (Punk Song winner), and The Silver Seas (Pop/Rock finalist).

In addition to this year’s winners in various music and design categories, Val Emmich’s video mix of live action and animation for his song "The Only One Lonely" from the album Sunlight Search Party won the first IMA Music Video Award. And Drexel University’s Mad Dragon Records took the program’s top honors in the first College Record Label Award for the eponymous album release for the band Hoots & Hellmouth.

The IMAs is a unique, international program that helps vetted indie artists and releases overcome mainstream obstacles and reach wider audiences. IMA Winners are selected solely on the basis of artistic merit - marketing campaigns and sales figures have no impact on judges' decisions.

IMA winners were selected from hundreds of finalists from around the globe by a panel of celebrity and industry judges including Snoop Dogg, Suzanne Vega, Susan Tedeschi, Ray Davies, Chad Smith, Mavis Staples, Charlie Musselwhite, Martin Atkins, Judy Collins, Rolling Stone Contributor Anthony DeCurtis, DJ/Tastemaker Chris Douridas, Producer Joe Boyd, Vans Warped Tour founder Kevin Lyman, Activision Worldwide Music Executive Tim Riley and MTV Music Supervisor Carrie Hughes, among other artist and industry panelists.

Reflecting the realities of an increasingly fragmented marketplace, the IMAs eschew cash and prizes in favor of awarding Winners and Finalists with coveted marketing initiatives and exposure via yearlong print, online and radio promotion, distribution, and performance opportunities. Complete list of winners HERE