Los Angeles, CA —-The Independent Music Network announces “Daddy’s Blue Jean Jacket” by Country Music Singer and Songwriter Mike Kuster won 2021 Country Song of the Year. The song is Kuster’s third single released to radio from his upcoming debut studio album, Better Late Than Never.

The IMN revealed the winners for their annual Independent Music Network Awards today. “IMN is pleased to reveal the very best for 2021 in the independent arena,” Debi Fee shared. The winners are based on fan votes, a radio poll, and IMN Editor Picks. 

In announcing the award, IMN’s Talent Director Debi Fee told Mike, “This is the biggie and you so deserve it.  I always believed in this song and I obviously am not the only one. Congratulations on a well deserved Song of the Year.”

“I am humbled to have even been nominated for these awards from the Independent Music Network,” Mike Kuster said this afternoon. He continued, “To win this award is just amazing to me. I have to thank my family for being so supportive, Dr. Ford for producing and teaming me up with amazing musicians on this song, and the folks in independent radio for playing my music.”

Mike’s latest single, “Seeing Less Than Half of Their Faces” was released to radio this week. The song has already racked up tens of thousands of streams on digital streaming services. “I’ve gotten a lot of great response from program directors for this one,” Mike shared.

Kuster’s debut studio album, Better Late Than Never on CD is available for pre-order on Mike’s web site, https://mikekuster.net now. Both digital and CD copies will be available on Mike’s BandCamp site, https://mikekuster.bandcamp.com, and wherever you purchase digital music soon.

“We recorded the majority of this album at the Sound Kitchen Studios in Franklin, Tennessee,” Kuster explained. “I am so fortunate to have a great team of award winning musicians led by Dr. Ford who produced the album,” he continued.

Mike grew up on a small farm near Frederick. He and his wife, Emily, live in Walkersville, Maryland with their three children.

Recording artist and radio personality Buck McCoy will host Winners & New Discoveries 2022 Radio Special for both the Mainstream and the Country formats in February.  Due to COVID, the annual ceremony in Nashville will not be held. Both shows will be recorded in McCoy’s Nashville studios where he will also provide detailed information on many of the winners and new artists featured.

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