Award program
Josie Music Awards
The Josie Music Awards, produced by The Josie Music Association, celebrate independent artists across many genres and are among the largest independent-artist award shows.
Open to independent artists at no cost and with no membership; self-submit original, fully released material whose release date falls within the eligibility window, and maintain a current official website.
- Eligibility Window
- By release date (two-year window for albums & EPs)
- Who Can Submit
- Independent artists — self-submit, free, no membership
- Who It's For
- Independent artists • Bands • Singer-songwriters • Independent-community professionals
- Submission Method
- Self-submission via the forms on the Josie Music Awards site
Official requirements
Drawn from the program's published eligibility rules.
Independent artist status
OfficialThe Josie Music Awards are open to independent artists and professionals in the independent music community; there is no fee and no membership required.
Why it matters: The Josie Music Awards are for independent artists, so work tied to a major label falls outside the program.
Released within the eligibility window
OfficialThe entered material's official release date falls within the eligibility window: one-year categories April 1, 2025 through April 30, 2026; two-year categories (such as albums and EPs) April 1, 2024 through April 30, 2026.
Why it matters: Material whose release date falls outside the eligibility window cannot be entered.
Original material, no covers
OfficialEntered works are the artist's original recordings; cover songs previously recorded by a major-label artist are not accepted.
Why it matters: Cover songs previously recorded by a major-label artist are not accepted and will be rejected.
Fully released and available
OfficialThe song, EP, or album is fully released and available for purchase or download, or a working link to the full work is provided with the submission.
Why it matters: Judges must be able to reach the full work, so it needs to be released or accessible by a working link.
Self-submit during the submission period
OfficialPersonally submit each category through the forms on the Josie site during the submission period (January 15 through April 30, 9 PM Central); the JMA sends no invitations to submit.
Why it matters: The JMA sends no invitations, so an entry only exists if you submit it during the submission period.
Maintain a current official website
OfficialA current, updated official website is required for primary-category consideration; social media pages do not count as an official website.
Why it matters: A current official website is required for primary-category consideration, and social pages do not count.
Preparation Guidance
Music Awards Center recommendations based on official Josie Music Awards eligibility requirements.
Keep a submission-ready press kit
Music Awards Center RecommendationMaintain an up-to-date EPK, working links, and streaming pages so you can submit quickly and pass review when entries open.
PreparationVerified 2026-07-09
Common submission mistakes
Music Awards Center guidance on what commonly trips up submissions — not official requirements.
- Submitting cover songs previously recorded by a major-label artist
- Release date falling outside the eligibility window
- No current official website (social pages do not count)
- Broken, private, or incomplete work links
- Waiting until the April 30 deadline to submit
Ready to check your Josie Music Awards readiness?
Run your free Josie Music Awards Readiness Assessment and receive personalized recommendations based on the official eligibility requirements.