Several Central Kentucky artists were among those honored at this year’s Josie Music Awards, hosted at the historic Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee. This marks the ninth year of the event. The ceremony took place on Oct. 22.
The Josie Music Awards (JMAs) is an awards organization that recognizes independent musicians who are not represented by major labels in the music industry. The panel of judges consisted of musicians and other figures in the music industry
35 Kentucky artists were nominated and 16 artists won awards from various categories.
Savannah Dean Reeves is a Georgetown singer-songwriter who won the Songwriter Achievement Award for her song “Get Me Every Time.”
Melissa Deaton-Johnathon is a Georgetown singer-songwriter who was nominated for the Songwriter Achievement Award and Female Vocalist of the Year Award.
“To stand on that stage is something I never thought I could achieve. It’s inspiring and very encouraging. It was incredibly surreal and a really special moment,” said Deaton-Jonathon
The Goodwin Brothers won the Bluegrass Song of the Year Award at the JMAs for their song “Everyday Thing.” The band is a trio consisting of brothers Jonathan and William Goodwin, and Chase Bush. The band is based out of Central Kentucky in the Scott County/Fayette area.
In addition to the awards The Goodwin Brothers band won, members of the band won individual awards as well. Jonathan Goodwin won the Guitarist of the Year Award, and Chase Bush won the Bluegrass Male Vocalist of the Year Award.
Overtones LIVE won the Best Live Performance Video Production Award. Overtones is a radio show based in Lexington by husband and wife Warren and Renee Cobb. The show is known regionally for capturing musical performances of local and traveling groups alike.
The Cobb’s met while attending the University of Kentucky in the mid 1980’s. Both were music majors. They own and operate Overtones LIVE and Listen Locally, a nonprofit. Several of their productions have been recognized with both local and national awards in the last two years.
Renee Cobb has been nominated for three business awards and the Cobb’s production endeavors have been nominated for an Appalachian Arts and Entertainment award and a Hollywood Independent Music Award in 2023.
“This year has been a landmark year for Overtones LIVE and Room 17 Productions and we have been blessed to be working in concert with so many artists and songwriters who make Kentucky music so awesome for everyone to perform and enjoy,” said Renee Cobb.
