THE 2023 NAAB RADIO IAM AWARDS SUBMISSION GUIDELINES AND INSTRUCTIONS

First Annual Independent Artists Music Awards

The First Annual Independent Artists Music Awards (IAM Awards) is an acknowledgement awards show that recognizes Artists’ hard work and achievements. This awards show will be judged by industry leaders who are producers, writers, artists, celebrities, composers and more. Fans will also have an opportunity to vote on their favorite artist. Judges vote on artists’ work from over 70 subcategories while utilizing the latest state of the art technology to ensure accuracy. The final tallying of votes will be conducted by an independent third-party firm. Winners’ names will remain in a sealed envelope and will be announced on awards night on Wednesday June 21st, 2023, at the beautiful Taglyan Complex in Hollywood, CA. It’s going to be one of the biggest nights in Hollywood for Independent Artists – Red Carpet, Glitter, Glamour, Music and more!

The First Annual IAM Awards will also acknowledge radio personalities, industry leaders, icons, and legends. One legend, will be honored with the prestigious (Barry Gordy IAM Life-Time Achievement Award)

An event of this caliber takes approximately 6 months to produce, so we strongly recommend that you submit your work now to be considered as a nominee. In addition, due to the large number of independent artists from around the world submitting their work, we strongly suggest that you submit your work as soon as possible.

This event will be streaming live to over 100 million viewers worldwide on Firestick, Amazon TV, Roku, Apple TV and CW, and more networks.

BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATING IN THE IAM AWARDS

(A CHANCE TO WIN A NAAB RADIO 2023 IAM AWARD)

Showcase your talent to the world
Display your merchandise & brand
Access to over 500 stations and radio interviews
A chance to get new fans from around the world.
Chance to win a Record deal with a Major Label
Two-hour free virtual conference with industry leaders
Receive Acknowledgement for your hard work and talent
Professional Artist Management Consultant (some restrictions apply)
Your Music played on NAAB and iHeard Radio up to awards show day
Music reported to BMI, ASCAP, SoundCloud, Sesac, and Nelson BDS
Establish relationships with Independent Artists from around the world
Network with Industry Leaders & Radio Personalities from around the globe
A chance to walk the RED CARPET during one of Hollywood’s biggest nights (The NAAB Radio IAM Awards)
& More

MUSIC CATEGORY GUIDELINES: 

SONGS

Acappella Song: must not contain any pitched instruments except vocals 
Acoustic Song: must not contain any electric instruments 
Cover Song: must be a version of a previously recorded and commercially released song by another artist

Eclectic Song: must contain a broad and diverse range of musical styles 
Holiday Song (Any Holiday): theme must relate to a specific holiday/holidays or holiday season 
Instrumental and Jazz Instrumental Album: majority of the album must be instrumental only 
Instrumental and Jazz Instrumental Song: must not contain singing, but may include limited vocal output, (e.g., in the song “Tequila”) 
Social Action Song: must cover a social issue and/or encourage social change/action

Spoken Word Song: must feature spoken lyrics (no structured melody); may or may not contain music accompaniment 
Used in Ad Campaign Song: must have been used in an advertisement 
Used in Film/TV/Web/Game Song: must be featured in a movie, television, web campaign or game production

ALBUMS

Compilation Album: must be a compilation of various artists or a compilation of one artist’s previous work 
Concept Album: each song on the album must connect to an overall theme or unified story 
Debut Album: must be the first release available by an artist/band name 
Eclectic Album: must contain a broad and diverse range of musical styles either within the songs or throughout the album 
Jazz with Vocals Album: majority of the album must contain songs featuring vocals

Live Performance Album: must be recorded live with no overdubs 
Love Song: theme must revolve around love (searching for love, falling in love, unrequited love, breaking up, etc.) 
Reissue Album: must have been released previously; may contain a few new bonus songs or be remixed/remastered 
Score: Film/TV/Game Album: must contain music featured in a movie, television, or game production 
Spoken Word Album: majority of album must contain songs which feature spoken lyrics (no structured melody); may or may not contain music accompaniment

MUSIC VIDEO SUBMISSIONS: 

Long Form categories: one entry = video of a concert, documentary, multi-video compilation, etc. that is longer than 10 minutes 
Short Form categories: one entry = one video featuring one song 
Music Video nominees/winners are identified as the recording artist with the exception of Long Form Director and Short Form Director which are identified as the Director(s) in the Music Video Section

MUSIC VIDEO CATEGORY GUIDELINES: 

Concept/Experimental: must be visually poetic and/or metaphorical 
Lyric: must display all or most of the lyrics throughout the song 
Narrative: must contain a visual storyline that is easy to follow (i.e. boy meets girl, boy loses girl, etc.)

Performance: must predominantly contain footage of the artist/band performing the song 
Social Action: must contain a song and/or footage that brings awareness to a social issue and/or encourages social change/action

DESIGN CATEGORY SUBMISSIONS: 

Album Art / Photography: one entry = artwork for the album cover (music/vinyl face), back panel, and any tray panels, booklets, inserts or other artwork for one release

Album Packaging: one entry = all packaging components specific to one release 
Poster: one entry = one poster promoting a gig, festival, release, etc. 
Photography: one entry = one black & white/color print (8 x 10 print preferred) or digital file 
Swag (Merchandising) design category: one entry = one article or packaged articles of merchandise (t-shirt, hoodie, beanie, hat, mug, tote bag, etc.) 
Music Website (Artist/Band, Music Company, Independent Record Label, Music Venue, or Music Event): one entry = one site homepage URL

*Design nominees/winners are identified as the Photographer(s)/Designer(s) and/or their company/companies 

IMPORTANT FYI: 

ENTRY DEADLINE: Midnight (Pacific Time), Monday, May 1st, 2023. The IAMs reserves the right to extend the deadline. 

You may submit as many entries as you wish; however, do not submit the same work more than once in the same category; doing so will not increase your chances of being nominated. You may submit the same work in different categories.

All submission fees are non-refundable. The IAM AWARDS does not provide any feedback or critiques (NOT EXCEPTION). 

IAM AWARDS CATEGORIES 

SONG 

Song – Acappella
Song – Acoustic
Song – Adult Contemporary
Song – Afrobeat
Song – Alt. Country
Song – Americana
Song – Bluegrass
Song – Blues
Song – Children’s Music
Song – Contemporary Christian / Gospel
Song – Country
Song – Cover Song
Song – Dance/Electronica
Song – Eclectic
Song – Folk/Singer-Songwriter
Song – Funk/Fusion/Jam
Song – Gospel
Song – Holiday Song (Any Holiday)
Song – Indie / Alt. Rock
Song – Instrumental
Song – Jazz Instrumental
Song – Jazz with Vocals
Song – K-Pop
Song – Latin
Song – Love Song
Song – Metal/Hardcore
Song – New Age
Song – Pop
Song – Reggae
Song – R&B/Soul
Song – Rap/Hip-Ho
Song – Reggae/Ska/Dancehall
Song – Rock / Hard Rock
Song – Social Action
Song – Spoken Word
Song – Story Song
Song – Used in Ad Campaign
Song – Used in Film/TV/Web/Game
Song – World Beat
Song – World Traditional

ALBUM 

Album – Adult Contemporary
Album – Afrobeat
Album – Alt. Country
Album – Americana
Album – Bluegrass
Album – Blues
Album – Children’s Music
Album – Compilation Album
Album – Concept Album
Album – Contemporary Christian / Gospel
Album – Contemporary Classical
Album – Country
Album – Dance/Electronica
Album – Debut Album
Album – Eclectic
Album – Folk/Singer-Songwriter
Album – Funk/Fusion/Jam
Album – Gospel
Album – Indie / Alt. Rock
Album – Instrumental (Mainly)
Album – Jazz Instrumental (Mainly)
Album – Jazz with Vocals (Mainly)
Album – K-Pop
Album – Latin
Album – Live Performance
Album – Metal/Hardcore
Album – New Age
Album – Pop
Album – Reggae
Album – R&B/Soul
Album – Rap/Hip-Hop
Album – Reggae/Ska/Dancehall
Album – Reissue
Album – Rock / Hard Rock
Album – Score: Film/TV/Game
Album – Spoken Word
Album – Tribute Album
Album – World Beat
Album – World Traditional

EPS

EP (3-5 SONGS; 25 MINUTES OR LESS. EXCEPTIONS MADE FOR WORK PUBLICLY DESCRIBED OR REVIEWED AS AN EP.) 

EP – Afrobeat (All Styles)
EP – Dance/Electronica (All Styles)
EP – Eclectic (Includes Spoken Word)
EP – Gospel (All Styles)
EP – Instrumental (All Styles)
EP – Jazz (Instrumental or Vocal)
EP – K-Pop (All Styles)
EP – Live Performance (All Styles)
EP – Pop (Includes Adult Contemporary)
EP – Reggae (All Styles)
EP – Rock (All Styles)
EP – Roots/Country (Includes Alt. Country, Americana, Bluegrass, Blues, Folk, Singer-Songwriter)
EP – Urban (All Styles)
EP – World (All Styles)

MUSIC PRODUCER (AWARDED TO THE PRODUCER(S) OF A FULL-LENGTH ALBUM OR EP) 

Producer – Afrobeat (All Styles)
Producer – Dance/Electronica (All Styles)
Producer – Eclectic (Includes Spoken Word)
Producer– Gospel (All Styles)
Producer – Instrumental (All Styles)
Producer – Jazz (Instrumental or Vocal)
Producer – K-Pop (All Styles)
Producer – Live Performance (All Styles)
Producer – Pop (Includes Adult Contemporary)
Producer – Reggae (All Styles)
Producer – Rock (All Styles)
Producer – Roots/Country (Includes Alt. Country, Americana, Bluegrass, Blues,
Folk, Singer-Songwriter)
Producer – Urban (All Styles)
Producer – World (All Styles)

MUSIC VIDEOS

MUSIC VIDEO SHORT FORM

Music Video Short Form – Animated/Stop-Motion
Music Video Short Form – Concept/Experimental
Music Video Short Form – Director
Music Video Short Form – Lyric
Music Video Short Form – Narrative
Music Video Short Form – Performance
Music Video Short Form – Social Action

LONG FORM: 

Music Video Long Form – Director
Music Video Long Form – Long Form

MUSIC 

We strongly recommend – but do not require – that all submitted material is copyrighted.
Learn more about how to copyright your work at: 

http://www.musicbizacademy.com/internet/how2copyright.htm

Music submissions (Album, EP, Song, Music Producer) must be self-released or an independent label release (may be distributed by a major label). Major label music released by Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group, or any of their sub labels is NOT Eligible Music.

Music must be released or be intended to be released in physical, digital download or streaming format – for sale or free – between January 1, 2022– May 1, 2023 (for 1st Annual awards) 

Demo recordings are NOT Eligible 

Original material is eligible in every category while Cover material (including arrangements of standards and traditional music) is only eligible in certain cases (see next bullet points) 

Album Categories: must feature most of the original material. Because cover songs and traditionals are so widely accepted in the following genres, we do allow cover interpretations in the following Album Genres: Afrobeat Album, Bluegrass Album, Children’s Music Album, Concept Album, Gospel Album, Jazz Instrumental Album, Jazz with Vocals Album, K-Pop Album, Tribute Album, and World Traditional Album. 

Song Categories: must be original (with the exception that cover material is also eligible in the following Song categories: Acappella, Cover, Holiday, Jazz Instrumental, Jazz with Vocals, and World Traditional)

Cover material does not require permission from the publisher to be eligible 

Music Producer Categories: may consist of any mix of original and/or cover material 

EP Categories: may consist of any mix of original and/or cover material; should be 3-5 songs & 25 minutes or less (exceptions can be made for work publicly described or reviewed as an EP) 

DESIGN / VISUAL ARTS 

We recommend, but do not require, that all submitted material is copyrighted. 

Music Video submissions must contain music that is either self-released or released by an independent label (may be distributed by a major label) 

Design submissions may feature independent or major label artists 

Video and Design projects must be released or be intended to be released in physical, digital, or streaming format – for sale or free – between October 1, 2020 – June 21, 2023(for 1st Annual awards) 

Music Video submissions may contain original or cover music 

By entering The IAM Awards entrant and/or their parents or legal guardians (if such entrant is a minor) agree to accept and be bound by the decisions of The IAM Awards and its judges which are final and binding in all matters. 

Entrant acknowledges that all projects entered may be distributed to judges who will be selecting the winners, and Entrant agrees to release, indemnify, and hold The IAMs, its sponsors, and judges harmless for liability, damages, or claims for injury or loss to any person or property relating to, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, for entrant’s participation in The IAM Awards.

Entrant Processing Fees: 

The processing fee helps to offset the cost of organizing every aspect of the awards show. The fees help supplement the numerous costs associated with website maintenance of our Submission Platform, Yangaroo Fan Voting Platform, private Judging Platform, and public pages. In addition, fees go towards customer support (phone/email/social media); judge recruitment; email and social media marketing; tallying & posting results; and producing a multi-day event in Hollywood, CA with announcements of winners, performances, guest speakers, and networking opportunities. 

The nominal fee covers all IAM Awards ongoing marketing support for winners. There are NO additional fees for inclusion on the “IAM Awards News: Winners of The Independent Artists Music Awards” compilation, its distribution to various online music platforms, a 12-week radio promotion campaign to multiple U.S. radio stations & colleges, public and commercial radio stations, press releases, performance opportunities, etc. 

1 Song Entry = $99.00
1 Album Entry = $99.00

1 EP Entry = $99.00
1 Producer Entry = $99.00
1 Music Video Entry = $99.00
1 Design Entry = $99.00

*All submission fees are non-refundable. The NAAB Radio IAM Awards does not give any feedback or critiques. No exceptions.

FAQs

When will the IAM Awards begin accepting submissions? 

December 1, 2022

Note: Login and registration will be disabled while we are between submissions, and we will not be accepting submissions during this period. We suggest signing up for our newsletter to stay updated about when we open the next submissions. 

How do I enter? 
It’s easy to submit your recordings, videos and design projects using The IAMs online Secure Submission Platform. Simply login to naabradioiamawards.com. Register online, fill in the fields, and enter the program using one of the submission options. The submission process is fast and easy. A submission or request to submit does not mean you are a nominated.

When is the deadline to submit?
The deadline to enter the 1st Annual Independent Artist Music Awards (IAM Awards) is Midnight (Pacific Time), April 15th, 2023. The IAM Awards reserves the right to extend the deadline. 

What does it cost to enter?
A nominal processing fee is required per entry:

1 Song Entry = $99.00
1 Album Entry = $99.00
1 EP Entry = $99.00
1 Producer Entry = $99.00

1 Music Video Entry = $99.00
1 Design Entry = $99.00

Why do I have to pay to enter?

The processing fee helps to offset the cost of organizing every aspect of the awards show. It helps with such things as: website maintenance of our Submission voting Platform. IMA uses the #1 Platform in the industry, Yangaroo which is the industry standard enterprise solution company that manages most of North America’s major awards shows like the GRAMMYs, The Emmys, The MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), The Golden Globe Awards, The BET Awards, The Academy of Country Music Awards, and The JUNO Awards, among many others. The processing fee also helps to offset the cost of customer support via phone/email/social media; judge recruitment; email and social media marketing; tallying & posting results; and producing a day-long event in Hollywood, CA, announcements of winners, performances, guest speakers, and networking opportunities. 

How can I pay the processing fee?
You may pay by debit, credit card, Zelle, Venmo or Cash App. 

Can I submit my work from 10 years ago?
No. All submitted material must be released within the eligible time frame. See Eligibility section above. 

Can I submit work that isn’t released yet?
Yes, as long as it’s intended to be released within the eligible time frame. See Eligibility section above. 

When submitting work that isn’t released yet, what do I put in the required field for Please Enter Where Project Is Available?

You may put a placeholder URL in this field (e.g., your website homepage). 

Will my music/video be public on your website?
All Song entries provided by an upload and all Short Form Music Videos provided by a link automatically become public on your IAM Awards Fan Page and our Yangaroo fan voting platform immediately upon processing the submission fee. If you don’t want your music/video public, you can remove it from your Fan Page and the Yangaroo by clicking YANGAROO TOOLKIT under the DASHBOARD menu item. Click the artist/band name. Click the FANS option for each entry you wish to remove from fan voting. 

Please note: Your work will NOT be public or eligible for fan voting if you submit any of the following by mail: Album, EP, Producer, Design, Long Form Music Video, Songs provided by a link, or any Songs or Short Form Music Videos.

How do I update my artist/band info?
You may edit your artist/band photo, links, and bio at any time during the submission period. After logging in, click MANAGE ARTISTS under the DASHBOARD menu item. Click EDIT ARTIST DETAILS for the artist/band you would like to edit. Make the appropriate changes and click SAVE. 

Can I submit multiple artists/bands from my account?
Yes. We frequently get submissions from labels and managers that have a roster of artists. To add more artists/bands, log in and click ADD ARTIST under the DASHBOARD menu item. Fill out the artist/band details. The next time you fill out a submission, the Artist field will have a drop down menu listing all the artists you’ve added in your account. Select the appropriate artist for the submission you are filling out. 

Can I make changes to the submission I paid for?
Yes, but only before the final submission deadline. After logging in, click on MY ENTRIES in the menu. Navigate to the appropriate main category using the tabs. Click EDIT SUBMISSION under the entry you submitted. Make your edits and click SAVE. Note: You cannot change the category you selected or edit lyrics. Contact us to request this. 

Why is it saying my YouTube link is invalid? Why is my video not playing on my IAM Awards Fan Page / Yangaroo?

We require the full YouTube URL (e.g. https://www.youtube.com/watchxxxxetc). YouTube also utilizes mobile URL formats (e.g. https://m.youtube.com/watchxxxxetc) and there are short URL formats (https://youtu.be/xxxx, etc.). If you don’t provide the full YouTube URL, it may not be recognized by our system as a valid URL or it may not play on the Yangaroo fan voting platform. 

Which categories should I enter?
Artists often have difficulty selecting their music – especially if it’s a mix of musical styles and influences or suited to more than one category. We suggest that Entrants can (and frequently do) enter the same work in multiple categories to expand their opportunities. 

Work entered in multiple categories is eligible to win multiple times. With more than 70 Album, Song, EP, Producer, Video & Design categories, there’s a lot to choose from. You can view them here. 

Judging panels may recommend an entry be moved to another category. If so, we will contact you for permission before making any changes. Be sure to notify us if your contact info changes – and add [email protected] to your approved contacts so you won’t miss any requests or opportunities. 

Can I enter cover songs?  Must all music submissions be original compositions?
Yes, Except for Acappella, Cover Song, Holiday, Jazz Instrumental, Jazz with Vocals, and World Traditional, all Song categories require original compositions, or the first public recording of the composition to be eligible. 

Album entries must feature most of the original material. Because cover songs and traditionals are so widely accepted in the following genres, we do allow cover interpretations in the following Album Genres: Afrobeat Album, Bluegrass Album, Children’s Album, Concept Album, Gospel Album, Jazz Instrumental Album, Jazz with Vocals Album, Tribute Album, and World Traditional Album. 

All Music Producer and Short Form Music Video categories may consist of original and/or cover material. 

I entered work or was asked to submit. Does this mean I’ve been nominated?
NO! Submitting work or being invited to enter a project is not a Nomination. See FAQ above for: How are the nominees and winners determined? 

OK, I submitted. Will I ever hear from you?
Absolutely! We’ll email you directly throughout the year to keep you updated about important IAM dates, news and opportunities, so please be sure to inform us should your contact info changes. News about The IAMs will also be posted on our website, social media pages, press releases, blog posts, etc. 

FAN VOTING FAQ

What is the Yangaroo?
The Yangaroo is The Independent Artists Music Awards Fan Voting Platform created to engage fans with our entrants. It also serves as a unique music discovery tool. The top voted entrant in each Song and Short Form Music Video category becomes a nominee. The other four nominees in these categories and all five nominees in ALL other categories are solely determined by our judging panelists. The top voted nominee in each Song and Short Form Music Video category becomes the Yangaroo Fan Winner (which is separate from the judge-determined winner). Nominees in these categories can be named both the Yangaroo Fan Winner and the judge-determined winner. There are no Yangaroo Fan Winners in the Album, EP, Producer, Design, and Long Form Music Video categories. 

How can my fans help?
Your fans can help you earn IAM Awards honors by voting for your Song and Short Form Music Video submissions and sharing them with their social networks. The IAM Awards Yangaroo Toolkit makes it easy for Entrants and Fans to promote your work and help you become a Fan nominee and snag a coveted Yangaroo Winner award. 

How do fans vote?
Eligible fan voting entrants provide their IAM Awards Fan Page link to their fans. When fans arrive at the page, scroll down to the songs and/or videos and click the button to Register. After providing a valid email address and password and pay a $10.00 fan fee, they’ll be returned to the artist’s page where the Register button is replaced with a VOTE button. Fan vote by clicking the VOTE button. 

Where can I find my IAM Awards Fan Page URL?
Upon processing an uploaded Song or a Short Form Music Video entry provided with a URL, you should immediately receive an email alerting you that your entry/entries are posted and ready for fan support. Your IAM Fan Page URL will be included in this email. You may also find your URL by clicking Yangaroo TOOLKIT under the DASHBOARD menu item. Click your artist’s name, then click Get Your Link. You can find other tools there to promote your eligible entries for fan voting. Fan can also register by clicking REGISTER under the FANS menu item from the homepage. They can then search for the artist in the box at the top of the page to find the Fan Page for the artist they wish to vote for. 

Why don’t I have an IAM Awards Fan Page? Where are my entries posted on your website?
Only uploaded Song entries and Short Form Music Videos provided with a link will be posted on your IAM Awards Fan page for fan voting. All other entries are solely reviewed by our judging panelists. If you don’t have an IAM Awards Fan Page or don’t see any songs/videos on your page, it means you don’t have any eligible entries for fan voting OR you have turned off the option for fan voting for them. 

When does fan voting end?
Fan voting to determine nominees usually ends one to two weeks prior to the announcement of nominees. Fan voting to determine the Fan Winners usually ends two to three weeks prior to the announcement of winners. All eligible artists for fan voting are encouraged to begin promoting their entries as soon as possible to maximize their potential for votes. 

What are fan rewards?
Fans are rewarded for championing Artists on The IAM Awards site, and on their own social networks. Points are earned by listening, voting, sharing contact info with artists, purchasing gift cards for artists, and sharing songs and videos. The top scoring fan will become The IAM Awards Fan Winner and be invited for VIP meet and greets at The Independent Artists Music Awards ceremony, and after-Party events. Fan winner will be notified by email in spring of 2023. 

Can I win both the Fan & the Judge-Determined Award?
Absolutely!! And each year, several IAM Awards artists do win both awards. 

I can’t log in. What’s the problem?
The activation link may be stuck in your spam/junk folder or you’re trying to log in using an email address that’s different than what you used to register. You will not be able to log in without clicking this activation link or using the correct email address. 

**You will not be able to register or vote if it’s past the Voting deadline. 

How does the voting system work?

Fans listen to entered songs & videos on NAAB Radio Indie Artist Radio at naabradio.com or on iheart.com you can also download the NAAB Rdio app. If they think it’s worthy of a nomination, they click ‘VOTE’ to register their vote. After the voting process ends, the votes are added up, and the Nominee with the most votes in each category is declared the fan nominee. 

We use the same rating system for the Fan Winners as well, where fans can vote from the pool of nominees in each Song and Short Form Music Video category. 

Can I vote for more than 1 Artist?
Absolutely! However, there is a $10 fee each time you vote. If you vote up to 30 times, you are automatically eligible to receive a free admission ticket to the IAN Award show.

We encourage you to discover and champion new artists. In fact, the more IAM Awards artists you support, the more points you’ll earn to become an IAM Awards Super Fan. Learn More about Fan Rewards 

You can vote in all Song and Music Video categories to help determine Yangaroo Fan Nominees.
Once the nominees are announced, you can vote in all Song and Music Video categories to help determine Yangaroo Fan Winners. 

Can I vote more than once for my favorite Artists?
No, no ballot box stuffing! You can vote one time for each entry. However, we encourage you to seen all the music fans you know to champion IAM Artists. And you will earn Fan points for every artist they support. (Learn More about Fan Rewards and how to win the IAM Super Fan Award) 

Can I change my vote?
Unfortunately, no. Once you click VOTE, you cannot undo your action. 

Do I have to vote in every category at once or can I return at a later time?
Yes! We encourage you to return to the Jukebox often to continue exploring new entries.
Simply log in and have a go at it! 

IAM FAN AWARDS FAQ

What is The IAM Fan Award?
An extension of the popular Fan Award, The IAM Super Fan Award celebrates the fan’s role in an independent artist’s success. And helps them connect in an extraordinary way.  We reward fans who actively champion IAM artists; and honors the most passionate patron for their outstanding support. Learn More about Fan Rewards and how to win the IAM Super Fan Award. 

How does it work?
Fans accumulate points by helping their favorite IAM Artists win a Nomination and/or IAM Fan-Favorite Award. 

There is a $10.00 fee to Nominate an Artist/Band, or to champion an IAM Awards Nominee. You must register to participate. Click here to Register 

IAM Awards Fan members receive: A toolkit stocked with promotional materials that make it easy for you to spread the word about IAM artists you are championing.
Unique affiliate link that keeps track of the points you’ve earned. 

What do I win?
Well, in addition to kudos, and special relationship with some cool indie Artists & Bands and VIP seating & backstage pass at The Independent Artists Music Awards in Hollywood, CA. 

We’re always working on exciting opportunities to reward extraordinary efforts – so be sure to sign up for the IAM Awards News newsletter to ensure you don’t miss out on any opportunities. 

What do I have to do to get Fan points?
It’s fun & easy to stack up Fan points, but first you must register. Then go to The IAM Awards online voting platform to discover IAM Artists who need support to earn a Fan Nomination – or later in the program, Nominees trying to win a Fan-Favorite Award. 

There are many ways to earn points:
*Listening to songs & watching on The IAMs online voting platform and on NAABRadio.com
*Voting for your favorite songs & videos
*Posting your IAM Fan badge on multiple social media sites
*Joining your favorite artists’ mailing list
*Sharing your favorite entries with your friends and on social sites/networks
*Sending your friends the I Am Awards link to register www.naabradioiamawards.com

EARN BONUS POINTS FAQ

You’ll earn extra points for every one of your friends who registers at The IAM site. In addition, you’ll earn bonus points for every action they take on behalf of the IAM artists they choose. 

EARN XXTRA BONUS POINTS: PURCHASE A IAM AWARDS SHOW GIFT CARD to help your favorite artists submit more great work. You can spend as much or as little as you wish and in doing so, you’ll earn one point for every dollar you spend on their behalf. 

How do I keep track of the points I’ve earned?
The promotional items in your Fan toolkit have a unique link that automatically registers your interactions on The IAM site, so keep track is hassle free. Every action done by every one of the friends you’ve registered is tracked. This allows you to easily track your progress on your Fan Dashboard. 

How will I know if I’ve won?
Listen to your favorite NAAB Radio station at naabradio.com or on iHeart.com. You will also be notified via the email address you provided at registration. It is important to make sure you include naabradioiamawards.com to your approved contacts – and be sure to notify us if your contact info changes. 

An announcement will also be on our website at 2023iamawards.com, in The IAM Awards News Newsletter, and on our Instagram Facebook and Twitter pages. 

Submission Dates & Fees

Deadlines & Fees

Key Dates for IAM Awards

The IAM Awards is a awards show that acknowledges Indie Artists for their hard work and talent. Candidates who wish to be recognized and participate in the awards show must submit their work along with a $99.00 non-refundable processing fee for each submission. Candidates may submit as many times as they would like; however, each submission is an additional fee.

The Early Bird submission fee is $75.00 and expires at 11:59 PM (PT) on December 31st, 2022. No exceptions.

Note: All submission fees must be paid at the time of completing your submission form. You will receive a confirmation of your submission. If, for any reason, you do not receive a confirmation, please contact us between the hours of 10:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M. Pacific standard time toll-free: 1-800-672-9001, Ext 120 .

December 2022

01 Office of Submissions opens
02 Submissions open for the IAM Awards 

April 2023

01 Last Day for Supplemental Materials
10 Last day for Submissions to be received in Office of Submissions
15 Online Submissions closes (remaining categories) 

16 Nominating Committees begin voting on submissions (3PM ET / 12PM PT)
26 Office of Submissions closes 

April 2023

30 Nominating Committee voting closes (9PM ET / 6PM PT) 

May 2023 

01 Nominees Announced
02 Online public voting opens 

May 2023

04 Nominees’ Luncheon
10 Public voting closes (9PM ET/6PM PT) 

June 21, 2023 

NAAB Radio IAM Awards Show 

Note: Dates and times is subject to change without notice

FAQs 

Awards & Conference  

Is there a ceremony?
This winner will be announced at the 2023 First Annual IAM Awards Show on June 21st, 2023, at the Beautiful Taglyan Complex 1201 North Vine St Hollywood, CA 90028 also on naabradio.com., iheart.com, NAAB TV, Apple Tv, Android Tv, Roku, fire TV.

Interviews and other video content from Winners (and Judges!) will be rolled out on The Independent Artists Music Awards website and other online platforms including YouTube, Spotify, and Facebook.

I still have questions – what do I do?
Email:  [email protected] 

GENERAL 

Is this an international awards show?
Yes! The Independent Artists Music Awards (IAM Awards) has received entries from artist from countries and continents form around the world. 

Origin of entries for the history of The Independent Music Awards 

How are the nominees and winners determined?
The IAM Artist & Industry Judging Panel plays a crucial role in helping determine our nominees and winners. The Panel consists of esteemed recording artists, alumni IAM winners, and reputable industry executives from venerable music organizations, representing such industries as press, music promotion, radio programming, music supervision, production & engineering, critiques, talent buying, and other influencing roles. Submissions go through several rounds of review by The Panel to rank the totality of artistic excellence. Only the work submitted is considered. Factors and emphasis vary from category to category, but are generally based on elements such as vocal performance, musicianship, lyrics, structure, arrangement, production, originality, etc. Factors outside the submitted work are not considered (social media following, plays/spins/views, past accomplishments, charting history, gig history, etc.). 

NOMINEES: Up to five (5) Nominees in every category* are selected by the IAM Artist & Industry Judging Panel based on their top average ratings. 

*Fan voting determines one (1) Nominee in every Song and Short Form Music Video category.

WINNERS: One (1) Winner in every category is selected by the IAM Artist & Industry Judging Panel based on their top average ratings. Fans also vote from the nominated Song and Short Form Video projects to determine one (1) Yangaroo Fan Winner in those categories. 

The same nominated artist can be deemed both a Judge and a Fan Winner. 

When are nominees & winners announced?
Nominees were announced May 1st, 2023, Winners will be announced June 31st, 2023. 

Nominees & winners are notified via the email address provided in their submission registration (it is important to add [email protected] to your approved contacts – and notify us if your contact info changes). 

In addition to the official press release, announcements will also post on The IAM Awards website, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter pages, and in The IAM Awards News Newsletter. To receive IAM Awards news updates, click here to sign up for The IAM Awards News newsletter. 

What do I win?
The IAM Awards elevate the exceptional work of artists and releases from around the globe. In addition to the prestige of earning an IAM Awards, the awards show honors, your best work showcased to peers, heroes, and influencers – including radio programmers, talent buyers, producers and press. 

Enhanced promotional opportunities may include radio promotion, branded streaming, sync placements, brand sponsorships, performances, special events, industry introductions and more. Entrants may also be eligible for select IAM performance and marketing opportunities that may arise throughout the year. 

Where’s the cash and prizes?
The IAM Awards is an awards program – not a traditional song contest or talent show. In addition to boasting rights, the award-winning distinction affords more open doors and interest from programmers, press, talent buyers and music consumers. 

OWNERSHIP & COPYRIGHT 

Do I lose any rights to work entered?
NO! You, solely, maintain all your works rights. 

Does my work have to be copyrighted?
No, it is not a requirement; however, we feel strongly that every artist should have their material protected with a copyright. You can learn more how to copyright your work here:

http://www.musicbizacademy.com/internet/how2copyright.htm
http://diymusician.cdbaby.com/musician-tips/how-to-copyright-your-music/ 

Can I enter cover songs? / Must all music submissions be original compositions?
With the exception of Acappella, Cover Song, Holiday, Jazz Instrumental, Jazz with Vocals, and World Traditional, all Song categories require original compositions, or the first public recording of the composition to be eligible. 

Album entries must feature a majority of original material. Because cover songs and traditionals are so widely accepted in the following genres, we do allow cover interpretations in the following Album Genres: Bluegrass Album, Children’s Album, Concept Album, Jazz Instrumental Album, Jazz with Vocals Album, Tribute Album, and World Traditional Album. 

All EP, Music Producer and Short Form Music Video categories may consist of original and/or cover material. 

We wish you the best of luck.

Be sure to receive the latest IAM Awards news and updates, click here to sign up for The IAM Awards News and you’ll be in great company: The Super Fan Winner will be announced on June 21st, 2023, along with the year’s most exceptional artists and releases! 

NAAB Radio IAM Awards Show

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Century City, CA 90067

IAM Awards Rules

THE 2023 NAAB RADIO IAM AWARDS SUBMISSION GUIDELINES AND INSTRUCTIONS

BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATING IN THE IAM AWARDS

CATEGORIES:

MUSIC CATEGORY GUIDELINES:

IMPORTANT FYI:

IAM AWARDS CATEGORIES

EPS

MUSIC PRODUCER (AWARDED TO THE PRODUCER(S) OF A FULL-LENGTH ALBUM OR EP)

MUSIC VIDEOS

MUSIC

DESIGN / VISUAL ARTS

Entrant Processing Fees:

FAQs

FAQs

THE 2023 NAAB RADIO IAM AWARDS SUBMISSION GUIDELINES AND INSTRUCTIONS

BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATING IN THE IAM AWARDS

CATEGORIES:

MUSIC CATEGORY GUIDELINES:

IMPORTANT FYI:

IAM AWARDS CATEGORIES

EPS

MUSIC PRODUCER (AWARDED TO THE PRODUCER(S) OF A FULL-LENGTH ALBUM OR EP)

MUSIC VIDEOS

MUSIC

DESIGN / VISUAL ARTS

Entrant Processing Fees:

FAQs

FAQs

MUSIC CATEGORY GUIDELINES: 

IMPORTANT FYI: 

IAM AWARDS CATEGORIES 

MUSIC PRODUCER (AWARDED TO THE PRODUCER(S) OF A FULL-LENGTH ALBUM OR EP) 

MUSIC 

DESIGN / VISUAL ARTS 

Entrant Processing Fees: 

FAQs 