Upcoming Box Factory performer, and independent singer songwriter, Abbie Thomas is having quite the 2024 awards season. She has just returned home, the same as she did in 2023, with the title of “Artist of the Year” in the female, multi-genre category of the JMA’s which were held on Sunday, October 27 at The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. To top that, on November 7 she was nominated for a Hollywood Music in Media Award (The HMMA’s) in the same category as pop sensation, Olivia Rodrigo, for the “Best Live Concert for Visual Media” category. To make the point clear, Olivia Rodrigo is signed to a record label. Thomas is not.

In fact, Thomas has no team at all. She is her own booking agent, accountant, publicist, and tour manager. She handles her own marketing, creates and schedules her own advertising, and even goes as far as editing most of her own music and YouTube videos. What she does have is a talented backing band consisting of all Michiana residents; drummer/producer/engineer Nate Butler; keys/producer Simon Kauffman Hurst; bassist, Isaac Fisher; and violinist/background vocalist, Caitlyn Faust. Her chosen cinematographer is also from Michiana; David Perkins.

The JMA’s, considered the Grammy’s of independent music, are the worlds largest independent music awards show. This year being the 10th anniversary of the organization, they awarded 196 categories that honored all genres of music, performers, artists, songwriters, musicians, as well as, business categories, producers, and photographers.

This year, over 75,000 applications were received, and less than 3% of applicants received a nomination. Thomas received four. “Vocalist of the Year”, “EP of the Year”, “Songwriter Achievement”, and her winning category of “Artist of the Year”. To qualify, an artist can not be signed to a label.

“The entire backing band got to join me this year, thanks to some generous fans who paid for our trip. I had a concert recorded and filmed last November, and it took place at Goshen’s Ignition Music Garage. I had released that project as a live, visual EP, and it was nominated for the category of ‘EP of the Year’. I was stunned our live show was included. We didn’t win our group category, but I wanted to bring the entire band on stage with me for my solo win for ‘Artist of the Year’. We were all so surprised when they announced my name, since the chances of repeating for the same category from 2023 seamed impossible. We were all screaming with excitement, and I wouldn’t be having the success that I am without these talented and encouraging humans”, Thomas said. “It was definitely way more fun to have all of my bandmates able to celebrate with me.”

It is that same filmed concert that was nominated for a JMA, that has landed Thomas & The Crazy Hearts in the same HMMA category as one of the worlds most popular pop singers, Olivia Rodrigo. The Hollywood Music in Media Awards take place in Los Angeles, California on November 20th, and are open to both label represented artists and independent artists. Thomas’ project seems to be the only one done on a small scale, with the other live concerts filmed in stadiums or of full symphonies in grand concert halls.

“I still can’t believe we’ve been nominated in the same category as Olivia Rodrigo” said Thomas. Other category nominees for the HMMA’s include huge names like such as Elton John, Brandi Carlisle, Pharrell Williams, Miley Cyrus, Maren Morris, Hanz Zimmer, and more. “I’m honestly a bit in shock, but I’m so grateful. I’m also aware the talent that I get to work with; David Perkins’ cinematography is perfection, and our own Nate Butler mixed the concert. Everything he touches is just so, so good. The Crazy Hearts are special, and I’m just so happy the world is getting to see what I see” Thomas explained. “They make me a better performer, and I’m grateful I get to play with them.”

Other famous music award shows have strict rules on how to apply for consideration, such as The Grammy’s, where only voting members can enter nominations for the first round of voting. “For that consideration, it’s all in who you know, and how big your budget is, which doesn’t normally favor independent artists.” Thomas continued, “I’m grateful for these other award organizations that give indie artists, like myself, a chance to be heard and considered based on our work, and not our budget.”

In a new music landscape where more and more artists are turning to the independent route to have more control over their careers, Thomas is grateful she entered the music industry when she did. “If I had started this journey even ten years ago, my career might not have had a chance to take off because labels still had a strong hold on the industry. I’m also lucky that Michiana has a thriving music scene where I was able to get my start. I’ll be forever grateful to the people I’ve met that encouraged me, and to the venues who hired me early on so that I could grow as a performer and artist.”

Thomas has played at the Box Factory for the Arts in St. Joseph, Michigan in the past either solo, or with her trio, but November 16 at 7:00pm will be the first time she is bringing her award nominated full band with her. In her opinion, it’s the best version of the music she writes.

Thomas just released a new body of work, a full album funded by fans, “Not Gonna Lie” on September 27, 2024. This album was not released in time for this years’ award season cycle, but has already set itself up for a good run in 2025. The title track of the album, featuring R&B artist, Corey Ronell from South Bend, debuted as a single on the iTunes R&B/Soul chart at the #3 spot behind The Weeknd and Frankie Beverly on September 18. You can stream the new album on all major streaming platforms, or preorder the vinyl on her website.

She also has 2 remaining ticketed Michiana, full band concerts for 2024 as part of her live tour. She and The Crazy Hearts backing band have their Box Factory appearance this coming Saturday, as well as, they’ll be headlining the annual Hotel Elkhart New Years’ Party in Elkhart, Indiana on December 31 on the top floor of the hotel. Tickets will become available soon.

On how wrapping up her year in Michiana feels, Thomas said “I wouldn’t want to end my year with anyone else but The Crazy Hearts, and our amazing Michiana fan base who have been filling up rooms for us these last 12 months. We can’t wait to thank you with these last two shows.” You can find Thomas’ original music catalogue on iTunes, Spotify or her website, www.abbiethomasmusic.com. Tickets for the November 16 concert are available at https://ticketstripe.com/abbiethomas2024.