Vocalist of the year!

Barefoot Joe Wins Vocalist of the Year at the 11th Annual Josie Music Awards

Sunday, November 3, 2024, will go down as one of the most meaningful nights of my career. Standing inside the historic Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN—one of the most iconic stages in country music—I was honored to be named Vocalist of the Year, Modern Country Male Alumni at the 11th Annual Josie Music Awards.

Barefoot Joe - JMA Vocalist of the Year 2025

This year’s JMAs were bigger than ever. With 86,000 submissions across categories and only 2.8% advancing to the final round, the ceremony resulted in 2,408 total nominations and 244 winners. To rise out of a field that large, surrounded by some of the most talented independent artists in the world, is an honor I’ll never forget.

I was humbled to receive eight nominations this year—four for music videos, two for Song of the Year, and several others recognizing both artistry and production. Each nomination represented countless hours of work, creativity, long nights, and the unwavering support I receive from fans, collaborators, and the independent country community.

The Josie Music Awards have become the largest independent music award show in the world, known for spotlighting rising artists and celebrating authentic music that doesn’t always get the mainstream stage. To take home a win from such a prestigious platform—and inside the Grand Ole Opry, no less—felt surreal.

Winning Vocalist of the Year is more than a trophy. It’s a milestone. A reminder to keep creating, keep pushing, and keep telling stories through music the only way I know how.

Thank you to the JMAs, the incredible team behind all my projects, my fellow nominees, and especially the fans who continue to believe in what I do. This moment is ours.

Here’s to the next chapter—and to even bigger things ahead.

— Barefoot Joe