Critically Acclaimed Acoustic Folk Blues musician Charlie Parr won top honors in the 21st Annual IAMA (International Acoustic Music Awards) with his song “Boombox”. He also won Best Folk/Americana/Roots Award as well.
From Minnesota, Charlie spent part of his childhood in Hollandale before starting his music career in Duluth. His influences include Charlie Patton, Bukka White, Reverend Gary Davis, Dave Van Ronk, Mississippi John Hurt, and his self-professed "hero" "Spider" John Koerner. He plays a Mule resonator, National resonator guitar, a fretless open-back banjo, and a twelve-string guitar, often in the Piedmont blues style.
Before his death in 2024, Minneapolis blues musician Spider John Koerner gave his 12-string Gretsch guitar to Parr, requesting that Parr continue using it on stage.
"It's truly wonderful to receive an award and be acknowledged for doing something I'm passionate about. Thank you," said a jubilant Charlie Parr, the Overall Grand Prize winner of the 21st Annual IAMA (International Acoustic Music Awards).
Charlie Parr is signed to Smithsonian Folkways Records. Smithsonian Folkways is the nonprofit record label of the Smithsonian Institution. It is a part of the Smithsonian's Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, located at Capital Gallery in downtown Washington, D.C.
Here is the list of winners of the 21st Annual IAMA:
Overall Grand Prize Winner
“Boombox” by Charlie Parr
INSTRUMENTAL
FIRST PRIZE: “Sì” by Vicki Genfan
RUNNER-UP: “Cloud Catcher” by Mike Dawes
OPEN
FIRST PRIZE: “A River Runs Through” by Ray Legere, Robert Thomas & the Sessionmen
RUNNER-UP: “January” by Ava Valianti
AAA/ALTERNATIVE
FIRST PRIZE: “My Way’s Cloudy” by Jake Blount & Mali Obomsawin (feat. Joe Rainey)
RUNNER-UP: “Let’s Just Stay Friends” by Zoe FitzGerald Carter
FOLK/AMERICANA/ROOTS
FIRST PRIZE: “Boombox” by Charlie Parr
RUNNER-UP: “Still Missing You” by David Myles
BEST GROUP/DUO
FIRST PRIZE: “Hidden Road” by Weary Ramblers
RUNNER-UP: “The Burden Is Mine… Alone” by Green Carnation
BEST MALE ARTIST
FIRST PRIZE: “Things Done Changed” by Jerron Paxton
RUNNER-UP: “Time to Get Away” by Michael Monroe
BEST FEMALE ARTIST
FIRST PRIZE: “Cajun Love Song” by Ann Savoy
RUNNER-UP: “Leap of Faith” by Christie McCall
COUNTRY/BLUEGRASS
FIRST PRIZE: “Lonely Pine” by The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys
RUNNER-UP: “Empty Barn” by Jeff Corle
ABOUT IAMA (International Acoustic Music Awards)
IAMA (International Acoustic Music Awards) promotes the art and artistry of acoustic music performance and artistry. In its 22nd year, IAMA has a proven track record of winners going on to get signed and hit the Billboard Charts.
Ricky Kej (1st Prize Winner 2018 IAMA, instrumental category) , based out of Bengaluru, India won the Grammy in 2023 for ‘Divine Tides’, in the best immersive audio album category.
Notable winners of IAMA include Dom Flemons, Meghan Trainor, Ellis Paul, Jonatha Brooke, David Francey, AJ Croce and more. Meghan Trainor was discovered by IAMA twelve years ago and is now a global phenomenon with #1 debut hit on the Billboard Hot 100 Charts with "All about That Bass" (#1 for 8 weeks) and #1 on The Billboard 200 Charts with her debut album "Title", won for a Grammy award for Best New Artist. 2nd Annual IAMA winner Zane Williams’s winning song was recorded by country music star Jason Michael Carroll, that song hit #14 on Billboard Country Charts and #99 on Billboard Hot 100 Charts. Jeff Gutt, finalist at the 9th Annual IAMA was a runner-up on X-Factor USA. Charlie Dore (known for her hit “Pilot of the Airwaves”) was the top winner in 2008. For more information on winners and finalists, go to: https://www.inacoustic.com/winners
