Spencerport graduate takes home three awards at the Indie Music Channel Awards

Melia Maccarone of Rochester, a 2009 graduate of Spencerport High School, was a big winner at the 2012 Indie Music Channel Awards in Hollywood, California. She won awards for Best Female Rock Artist, Best Rock Song for “Just a Bride” and Song of the Year for “Just A Bride.” She was also a finalist for Artist of the Year and Album of the Year for her EP “Soundproof Walls.” A panel of music industry professionals chose the winners.

The awards show was held at the famed House of Blues on Sunset Boulevard on April 29. Emmy award winner and creator of the Indie Music Channel, Christopher Ewing, presented Melia with her awards.

A private nominee pre-party was held on Saturday, April 28, at Sunset Gower Studios in Hollywood. Melia performed at the nominee party and also the after party at the House of Blues. Christopher Ewing, while introducing Melia before her performance said “Melia’s song “Just A Bride” has been #1 on my radio show, The Radio Café Countdown, for the last three weeks. It’s tough to get on my show since we get thousands of submissions from all over the world. So, to get on my show and then get to #1, that’s saying something. Melia is a very talented songwriter, singer and guitarist and I’m happy that she’s here to perform for us.”

“The entire weekend was so great,” says Melia. “I couldn’t have asked for it to go better. The talent was just outstanding. Meeting other artist from Australia, Sweden, Peru and many other countries made it even more special. I was so honored to be in the company of such talent and to be nominated. The categories I was nominated in were filled with some unbelievable artists and I have to say I was honored and grateful to win three categories. I think I was especially proud of the Song of the Year since it was chosen among all genres. When you write music and people close to you tell you how great they think it is it’s nice to hear. To be chosen by people in the music industry it gives you the confidence to keep going and validates you.”

Melia thanked her parents and family for their continued support, her band mates, Tim Latus (bass) and James McGowan (drums) for making the trip out to L.A. with her and their support. She also thanked George Collichio (guitar teacher), Brian Moore of Redbooth Studios who recorded and engineered her EP, “Soundproof Walls” and Richard Fink IV her vocal coach who also produced and edited her vocals on her winning song “Just A Bride.”

Melia is in the process of writing new music for an upcoming CD. She has a few local shows lined up this summer including a gig with the Deborah Mangone Band at Sticky Lips in Henrietta on July 20 and the Molson Canal Concert Series in Buffalo on August 24. Melia’s music is available on iTunes and CD Baby.

5/20/12