RightOutTV Music & Video Awards 2014 • D'Lance Jones & Megan Lane

The winners of the 2014 RightOutTV Music & Video Awards were announced recently, proving what great music is being made by LGBT artists. Well, that was obvious when I saw the list of nominees, coming from all around the world. RightOutTV was founded by Marlee Walchuk and Tully Callender, devoted to the promotion of LGBT artists and their music all across the globe. The submissions are from many genre, from Rock to Country to Electronica. Once again this year, I was proud to be asked to be a judge, hearing some more great music and discovering a few new artists. But enough with all that. It is time to showcase some very deserving artists. Today I am thrilled to feature D'Lance Jones (above, left) and Megan Lane (above, right).

I must say, there was a real richness to the next category, 'Best Soul/Hip-Hop/RAP/R&B Song'. There were some amazing submissions, and giving us five outstanding nominees. The list included Marck Angel's "Summertime", Be Steadwell's "Rainwater", Wordz the poet emcee with "U See That", I.K.P. with "Meraki", and Lester Greene's "Marital Bliss" featuring Michelle Tabot and Allen Parker. This year, the award went to D'Lance Jones, and I couldn't be happier. "Forever With You" was featured on the blog this past summer, when I first found it. The single was released in November 2013, and has been finding a way to the ears of people who love music. It seems to be a natural wedding song, or one that many a couple would be happy to call "our song". "Forever With You" was named 'Best Soul/Hip-Hop/RAP/R&B Song'. This is D'Lance Jones with "Forever With You".

The single was released about a year ago. You can purchase "Forever With You" from iTunes and Amazon. To learn more about D'Lance Jones, visit his official website. You can also 'like' him on Facebook, and 'follow' him on Twitter.

Our next award is 'Best Rock Song', and once again, there were an impressive list of songs vying for the win. It was Canadian rocker Megan Lane who earned the award with her fantastic song, "Someday We Will Leave This Town". This was another category with strong competition, with music videos like Janis Mullan's "Nobody's Fool", Run Jenny with "Run Jenny", Felonious Parker's "Dominoes In Action", Szilenze with "Nothing Left to Say", and Patrick Boothe's "This is Not Venice". The song and video have such a strong energy, with a true drive in the beat, I can't help but start banging my head when watching. This is Megan Lane with the exciting music video for "Someday We Will Leave This Town".

You can find "Someday We Will Leave This Town" on her latest album, 'Sounding the Animal'. You purchase 'Sounding the Animal' from iTunes, Amazon, and CD Baby. To learn more about Megan Lane, visit her official website. You can also 'like' her on Facebook, and 'follow' her on Twitter.

Marlee and Tully developed RightOutTV to help LGBT artists with promotion, as a way of giving back to the community. The couple are also a musical duo, making up Sugarbeach. They were kind enough to ask me to participate in the awards for the last few years as a judge. To learn more about RightOutTV, visit the RightOutTV website. You can also 'follow' them on Twitter, and 'like' them on Facebook.

RightOutTV Awards 2013 • Best Pop Song & Best Rock Song

Left: Kari K & the Stonewall Riot. Right: Michael V. Doane

I am pleased to showcase the recent winners of the 2013 RightOutTV Music & Video Awards, pointing a spotlight on a few of the many talented members of the LGBT community making music. This year, awards were given in 18 different categories, with 17 different acts receiving them. The awards are given by RightOutTV, a website founded by Marlee Walchuck and Tully Callender. The website promotes Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender artists, allowing a platform for their voices to be heard, and a place for those wanting to support them to visit on a regular basis. “If you watch the awards show you’ll see that we don’t just promote and award these artists because they’re gay. These are high-level, multi-talented, professionals with star quality,” says Marlee Walchuk, co-producer of the awards. “Even though most of these artists are not being heard on mainstream radio yet, they deserve every success enjoyed by their straight counterparts."

Following the studied consideration of the judging panel, the award for Best Pop Song was given to Kari K. & The Stonewall Riot for their wonderful song, "I’m Not the One". I'll be honest, I wasn't on the selection committee for this category, but if I were, I would be hard pressed to come up with a stronger winner! This song, which has a beautiful balance between Rock and Pop, is a bold yet nuanced recording, a standout in any group you could find it in. The band from Austin, Texas, is made up by Kari Kuwamura on vocals, Naomi Toledo on bass, and Selina Maldonadoon drums. This is the official music video for Kari K & the Stonewall's "I'm Not the One".

To learn more about Kari K & the Stonewall Riot, visit their official ReverbNation page. You can also 'like' the band on Facebook, and 'follow' Kari on Twitter. You can purchase the single "I'm Not the One" from iTunes, CD Baby, and Amazon.

New York-based singer/songwriter Michael V. Doane is the next featured artist, having been awarded Best Rock Song for "Keep Running". The song, a non-album single released in September, beautifully weds Soul and Rock to separate from the pack. Doane's vocals are strong and crisp, always hitting the notes with a laser precision. There is a wonderful density to the chorus, the sound enveloping the listener like a glove looking to keep you warm. I love it, and hope you enjoy the official music video for Michael V. Doane's "Keep Running".

To learn more about Micheal V. Doane, visit his official website. You can also 'like' him on Facebook, and 'follow' him on Twitter. You can purchase the single "Keep Running" from iTunes, and Amazon. For more about RightOutTV, visit their official website. There you can find music videos and interviews of LGBT artists from around the world. you can also 'like' them on Facebook, and 'follow' them on Twitter.