Disc Makers Independent Music World Series 2006

In 2006, Disc Makers Independent Music World Series (IMWS) will award over $250,000 in cash and prizes to independent musicians. The IMWS helps you DO IT YOURSELF.



The 2006 IMWS features showcases in Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, and Philadelphia and will award a mammoth Grand Prize at each show. Enter today for a chance to be selected for one of 24 performance slots and play in front of music industry VIPs and win prizes that include enough gear to build your own home recording studio, a killer CD manufacturing package, showcases at major music conferences, cash money, and more!



No matter where you live in the US and Canada, you are eligible to enter now!



From gospel to metal to hip hop to punk to jazz to country to emo to rock to rap to world to pop to bluegrass to mambo to salsa to r&b to folk to jam to crunk to acoustic to a capella to alternative to latin rock to soul to whatever your act is … we’ve showcased your style of music.

About the IMWS

The Independent Music World Series is the only independent music event that exposes musicians from every genre to music industry participants using impartial judging criteria and a live showcase finale. This isn’t a popularity contest. Our goal is to discover, showcase, and reward the best independent artists in the country.

The IMWS began in 1995 with a showcase featuring six artists at The Lion’s Den in New York City. Since then, we’ve hosted over 200 independent acts in 10 cities around the U.S. and we’ve awarded over $1,500,000 in prizes!

How it Works

In 2006, the IMWS will produce four regional showcases, each awarding one Grand Prize package. Regions and showcase cities and dates for 2006 are:

West: Los Angeles, CA – July 27, 2006

Midwest: Chicago, IL – August 17, 2006

Southeast: Atlanta, GA – September 21, 2006

Northeast: Philadelphia, PA – October 26, 2006

In each region, the initial batch of entries is judged on Songwriting, Overall Vibe, Musical Performance, Vocal/Lead Instrument Performance, and Originality. Genre and production quality are not a factor.



From the initial screening, 100 semi-finalists are selected and sent to the offices of Billboard magazine. Editors at Billboard screen the semi-finalists to choose six acts to play each showcase.



The home state of the main contact for an act determines which region that act is eligible for. Here is a list of each region’s eligible states:



West – Eligible states include:
US: AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA and WY

Canada: YT, BC, AB and SK

Midwest – Eligible states include:
US: CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NM, NE, ND, OH, OK, SD, TX and WI

Canada: NT, MB, ON, Victoria Island, Banks Island, Baffin Island and Queen Eliz Island

Southeast – Eligible states include:
US: AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA and WV

Northeast – Eligible states include:
US: CT, DE, DC, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI and VT

Canada: QC and NL

Here’s what some past finalists have said about the IMWS:

"These people know what it's like to be a struggling indie artist and they hooked up this show with the right gear."

–Lance Loiselle, Treologic

"It didn't seem like a contest. It seemed like a festival... I was having such a good time."

–Orbert Davis

"We have been a part of a lot of showcases, and never has one been run so expertly. It was an incredible experience for us. Thank you!"

–Cooper, Bang Sugar Bang

"The night of our IMWS win was unforgettable and has launched our career tenfold. The exposure, connections, and opportunities available to us now as a result of our win are just as amazing as the awesome prizes are."

–Amber de Laurentis