Only NZ Album Nominated...

Blue Smoke Records is proud to announce For the Record: The Pixie Williams Collection 1949-1951, nominated in the Reissue Album Category of the 11th Annual Independent Music Awards, is the only kiwi album in the running to win out of over 300 self-released and independent music label artists.

Winners will be determined by a panel of 77 influential artist and industry judges including Keith Richards, Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan, Suzanne Vega, Joshua Redman, Tori Amos, Michael Franti, Bettye LaVette, Del McCoury, Ozzy Osbourne, Shelby Lynne, Alan Light (Live From The Artists Den), Kevin Lyman (Warped Tour), Bill Bragin (Lincoln Center), Sara Beesley (Joe's Pub) Chris Diaz (Knitting Factory Entertainment), and Evan Schlansky (American Songwriter) and will be announced in April, 2012.

In addition to industry-determined Winners, music fans from around the world have until Friday, July 20, 2012 to cast their votes at The IMA Vox Pop Jukebox to determine the fan-selected IMA Winners.

Global Music Award Nomination

On March 8, 2012 Blue Smoke Records got the email we'd been waiting hoping for!  

On behalf of Music Resource Group, The IMAs, and our distinguished judging panelists, it is our pleasure to congratulate Pixie Williams on being nominated in the Reissue Album Category for For the Record - The Pixie Williams Collection 1949-1951 in The 11th Independent Music Awards.

Celebrating the democracy of creativity and meritocracy of talent, The Independent Music Awards honor exceptional independent artists traditionally ignored by mass media and big box retailers.

For the past 11 years, artists and labels from around the world have found new fans and prominence through The Independent Music Awards. Produced by Music Resource Group, publisher of the popular industry networking database The Musician's Atlas, and producers of the webTV series, Grooveable Feast, The IMAs uses its unrivaled access to performance, promotion & distribution opportunities to connect Winners and Nominees to new audiences and revenue opportunities.

This year, more than 300 exceptional self-released and independent label artists, as well as former major label acts, were named by Music Resource Group (MRG) today as Nominees in The 11th annual Independent Music Awards (The IMAs), the influential awards program for independent bands and fans.

Representing the broad spectrum of today's global independent music scene, the Nominees in over 70 Song, Album, Music Video and Design categories were culled from thousands of submissions from North America, South America, Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Europe.

Details and complete list of Nominees and Judges are available at TheIndependentMusicAwards.com

Tears flow for Pixie...

Reading Pixie the reviews she has received had an emotional effect on the 83 year old.  Tears flowed, and her face beamed with pleasure as she listened to the Reviewers comments.

Really, they really said that?  I can't believe it! They really think it was that good?  Wouldn't the guys be thrilled! Tell them thank you from me!

So from Pixie and Blue Smoke Records to the reviewers and interviewers who have shown their interest, respect and love for the music of Pixie Williams ...THANK YOU!

Rip it Up - 5 Star

For the Record received another ***** 5 STAR review from Martyn Pepperell in this months' Rip it Up Magazine.

Such an amazing achievement in New Zealand's premier music publication. Pick up your copy TODAY. 

Mana Magazine Review

In this months' issue of Mana Magazine Katherine Findlay writes a simply beautiful review.  Mana asked award-winning country singer Donna Dean to give us her thoughts on the re-jigged album. Donna says:

I grew up listening to the sound of lap steel guitar being played by my grandfather so when I heard For the Record - The Pixie Williams Collection it took me back to my childhood. There's some classy lap steel on the album but it's Pixie's voice that completely amazes. It's soulful, earthy and sophisticated. Amazing to think she was only 17 when she recorded Blue Smoke. For me, the entire album is a sweet reminder of the past. Right at the end Pixie adds a few speaking lines about what music means to her. She says "music will always live on" and hers does so beautifully.

This fabulous review is available to read in its entirety in Issue no.102 of Mana Magazine. Pick up your copy TODAY and visit their website for stockist details by clicking HERE.