PIERRE BENSUSAN’S 3-CD RETROSPECTIVE COLLECTION ‘ENCORE’ WINS THE “LIVE PERFORMANCE ALBUM” CATEGORY AT THE 2014 INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS

World-renowned as the “Mozart of Guitar” for his 40-plus years of live performances and critically-acclaimed recordings, Pierre Bensusan(www.pierrebensusan.com) has received yet another accolade for Encore, an ambitious and expansive retrospective collection celebrating his 40 years as a globetrotting concert performer.

The 3-CD set won in the Live Performance Album category at the 2014 Independent Music Awards.

The set was nominated early in the year and through votes from the listening public, Benusan has been awarded the prize of “Vox Pop Winner,” receiving more votes for Encore than any other artist in any other category.

The Independent Music Awards (IMAs) is an international program that honors top ranked independent artists and releases in more than 80 Album, Song, EP, Producer, Music Video and Design categories. The IMAs were created in 1999 by Music Resource Group (MRG). The program receives submissions from previous major-label artists as well as self-released and indie label talent from more than 70 countries on six continents.

In a statement, Martin Folkman, Director, The Independent Music Awards, said, “On behalf of The Independent Music Awards and passionate music fans everywhere, it is our pleasure to congratulate Pierre Bensusan on winning in the Live Performance Album category for Encore in The IMA 13 Vox Pop poll, the fan-determined portion of The IMAs.

Your nominated work was up against some of the year’s best independent artists and releases. It’s a great honor to support such exceptional talent.”

Bensusan said, “I am humbled and thrilled by this honor. I see it as a positive, encouraging statement, a little light of recognition that contents the heart and can be the drive for more music creation to come!”

Bensusan recently wrapped a 55-date North American and European 40^thAnniversary tour, which doubled as a celebration of a dynamic 35-year association with his longtime guitar maker Lowden Guitars(www.georgelowden.com).

Upcoming, the guitarist will be performing August 30 at the La Finestra Sul Lago Festival in Italy, September 6 at the International Guitar Night in Koblenz, Germany and October 3 at the Ards Guitar Festival in Ireland before launching a fall tour in Germany and Switzerland.

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