The Maine Music Awards Entertainment Hall of Fame®1981
Great Local MAINE TALENT, a 19-year-old kid from Maine starts a Magazine in an office building across from the scenic Androscoggin waterfalls in Auburn Maine, that would quickly become a national news story shortly afterward when he captures an interview with the world’s biggest artist Paul McCartney upon the release of his of ‘Tug of War’, album in April of 1992. A follow-up story would lead to Mr. McCartney’s working collaboration with particular artists from that album he mentioned–Michael Jackson. Jackson would follow up with his own album on November 29 of ’92 simply named ‘Thriller’. the rest is significant history all over the world for us all…
Note: Jackson’s management asked Wayne if he could feature Jackson in the early days of the popular Music Line Magazine. Well, we didn’t know how successful the album would be at the time. I gave it a shot. Things worked out quite well.
The intermixing of Maine artists with global artists on the cover of a local music publication that mainly featured local musicians was now attracting attention across the universe.
The National attention of the magazine and its content brought Maine artists and their happenings within the venerable pages to the National spotlight forefront and beyond.
Within these pages included the magazine’s annual Local Music Poll that turned into a Club event with live performances of several of the poll winners. This of course was the foundation of the Maine Music Awards being launched onto a big stage. Launched from the annual polls of MUSIC LINE Magazine founded by Wayne Koss in 1981. The show would help launch some Maine artists and its founder Wayne Koss into global notability. All built around intrinsic quality Maine Talent. Talent that is comparable to artists anywhere across the universe. Therefore, the Show Must Go On… Needless to say, its been a ‘Tug of War,’ yet we are all Thrilled to be a part of it. …and for me–I’m Still Wayne from Maine…
Photo: A 20-year-old Wayne Koss – Maine Music Awards Entertainment Hall of Fame Founder & CEO ©1981 Lewiston Daily Sun-Journal
Some Past Maine Music Awards Shows
– Since 1981
Past Show Capturing: https://themainemusicawards.com/maine-music-awards-newscast/
Let’s get it on…
Founded in 1981, The mission of The Maine Music Awards & the Maine Music Awards Entertainment Hall of Fame (Founded in 2014) is to recognize the most creative and substantive artists and industry personnel, alongside significant music achievements of yesterday and today from the state’s music composers, songwriters, producers, engineers, radio personalities… and to place all in the history annals for posterity.
With this entity—thousands of aspiring musicians, alongside seasoned devoted artists and music industry personnel from the state of Maine are provided a substantial benchmark and so much more at every scale to be recognized for their significant contribution to the entertainment scene and their special talents.
The Maine Music Awards Concerts Bring The Maine Entertainment Industry Together To Celebrate Achievements For Fans Now, And For Future Generations To Enjoy—Music Legacys’ That Matter!
Several of the most treasured music artists/entertainers that have a measure of residency that holds significance and importance in their artistic development within the state and/or special achievements of great relevance in their career associated with the Pinetree State will be present and performing making this a grand historic event. Subsequently, we are providing devoted and passionate fans and those in the industry the opportunity to be in unison with their appreciation among their selected ballot choices.
I have personally expended thousands of hours of highly concerted thought, extensive research, and resolute committed action into the pathway of this entity alongside numerous renowned Maine entertainment industry personnel who are contributing their valuable time to further lay a profound and everlasting foundation of Maine’s great pioneering entertainment industry personnel. Our combined efforts place in motion a heartfelt recognition stage for those who are truly deserving in our industry in the now, and for those in the future, alongside offering an inspiring standard for anyone who takes serious action to the stage spotlight. We extend many thanks to all those outside Maine who are contributing as well.
A Mission Created And Motivated By The Need: Our group of individuals involved in this production is fueled by a passion and mission to nurture intrinsic talent that is the landscape of Maine’s entertainment scene. it’s a scene that is growing deeper in culture and greater significance in history all the time. We will be advancing this exciting culture across the universe with this show’s expansive production while providing a strong base for subsequent generations to revere and appreciate the video library that is in motion. After all, music is the best universal language and a peaceful method of bringing the world together in harmony.
With the industry of Maine music growing abundantly with great artists and industry personnel, interest in this major showcase stage designed to encourage and elevate talent has been overwhelming by the movers and shakers within the industry to press onwards and upwards. Starting in 2023 we will be incorporating The MaineFest alongside the Maine Music Awards festivities to showcase Maines’s upcoming talent alongside more Arts & Culture.
Its time for the grand spotlight to shine on and on…
We all will look forward to your thoughts and participating in honoring the deserving and making it a win-win success for all.
Thanks for your attention.
All the best,
Wayne Koss
Founder/Chairman of the Maine Music Awards & Maine Music Awards Entertainment Hall of Fame
WAYNE KOSS | Linkedin
A FEW SELECT NEWCAST OF MAINE ACROSS THE UNIVERSE
Stephen Stills Interview with Wayne Koss about his family from Maine…
Kristen Stills | Maine Music Awards Hall of Fame Inductee Nominee
{From WIKI} Kristen Stills (née Hathaway; born October 12, 1966) is an American producer and autism awareness activist. She is the wife of American musician and multi-instrumentalist Stephen Stills of Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. An autism awareness activist, Stills has hosted and promoted several events supporting organizations such as Autism Speaks. In 2008, she won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Nonfiction Special for her program Autism: The Musical.
She has been Nominated to be Inducted into the Maine Music Awards Hall of Fame.
Since 2012, Kristen and Stephen have hosted Light Up the Blues, an event that benefits autism science and advocacy organization Autism Speaks. The annual event has included musical performances by Crosby, Stills & Nash, Neil Young, John Mayer, The White Buffalo, Brandi Carlile, Ryan Adams, Steve Earle, Rickie Lee Jones, Lucinda Williams, Don Felder, and Chris Stills who perform alongside Spectrum Artists such as Nick Guzman, Matt Savage, and Rio “Soulshocka” Wyles. The scheduling coincides with Light It Up Blue, World Autism Awareness Day, and Autism Awareness Month in April.
In 2013, Stills was executive producer for the concert film Light Up the Blues the goal of which was to raise awareness for the annual event.