Thank You Les, a 21-track recording and feature-length documentary tribute to guitar icon and inventor, Les Paul, garners three awards at the 12th Annual Independent Music Awards (IMAs). Thank You Les has earned the titles of “Best Tribute Album” and “Best Long Form Video” in the artist and industry judging portion of the IMAs, in addition to “Best Tribute Album” in the world-wide voting Vox Populi (People’s Choice). Some judges for this year’s international awards included Tom Waits, Judy Collins, Ziggy Marley, Suzanne Vega and Arturo Sandoval.
Produced by Ben Elliott and Joni Forte from Showplace Music Productions in New Jersey, along with Jersey guitarist and Les’ long-time sideman, Lou Pallo, Thank You Les captures the vibe of the of the infamous “Les Paul Mondays” which took place weekly for nearly thirty years in a small NYC jazz club. The analog recording and film brings forth an extraordinary cast of Paul admirers including Keith Richards, Steve Miller, Slash, José Feliciano, Bucky Pizzarelli, Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top), Eddie Brigati (The Rascals), and more. The documentary, recently broadcast on PBS, takes viewers inside the live recording sessions and covers interviews with the artists who worked closest with and were influenced by Les Paul, shedding light on his innovative genius and Vaudevillian sense of humor.
