Another year of art and creation…and we want to celebrate it. The nominations for the 2017 Big Reds are now open to all music lovers of the amazing music being made by independent artists today.

A few simple rules:

1. All artists (or venues) must be New England/North East centric. We are pretty loose with our definitions here, but try to keep to the ties to the New England or the North East. Either living here now, or recently moved across country or to Russia or something, but has been a stronghold in the Northeast music community for many years. Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Connecticut, and heck, even New York are fair game.
2. “Big Reds 2017″…so, that means who really did something amazing stuff in 2017. An album or EP released in 2017, self explanatory. Songwriter, Acts or Musician might be a little more convoluted. Basically, try and keep your nominations to those who really hit it hard this year. Busted their asses touring. Emptied their wallets recording. Those artists who truly deserve a little recognition for what they did in the past 10 months.
3. We are called Red Line Roots…and obviously, while I mentioned in number 1, our definitions are a little loose here, there is no metal act of the year (as much respect as I have more metal musicians). We are a pretty focused publication as you might imagine, so stay within the confines of the broad, broad genre of American Roots music and all that entails (bluegrass, blues, folk, rock n’ roll, Americana, etc.)
4. I am pretty sure this only allows one vote per IP address…so, yeah if there is some Russian hacker out there trying to load up the ballot box, cut that shit out. Be fair.
5. Most importantly…this is something that happens at the end of each year. Its our little, tiny way of trying to shine a light on the community and the artists within. Awards are silly. Only one person/band/place can win a category and there are so many incredible people out there creating beautiful art. So, don’t just support them once a year, get out and see live music. Buy a record from an artist you don’t yet know. Go to shows at all sorts of venues, large and small. Go early for the opening act. Buy merch at shows (it keeps gas in the tank). Tell an artist who you dig that their music means something to you. Chances are it will make their day.

Link below. Nominations will close on Friday, November 3rd and then voting will commence the following Monday up until Mid-December.

http://www.redlineroots.com/big-red-nominations-2017/