Congratulations to the folks named in Metroland Magazine’s BEST OF 2009 edition! We have plenty of friends all over this thing, but first, our own artists!

SEAN ROWE :: “Best Solo Artist”
Sure, this guy once ate a chipmunk so as not to starve, but he also opened for Boz Scaggs and the Doobie Brothers, so cut him some slack. Better yet, give his recent album Magic a spin and then try to tell us Rowe ain’t the bee’s knees. This survivalist has pretty much the best baritone around and certainly knows his way around a six-string, backing band be damned.

MATTHEW LOIACONO :: “Best Songwriter (Project-Oriented)”
Loiacono has proven to be an ace songwriter (in addition to label honcho and musician-about-town), particularly when he puts himself to task. Last year’s excellent Kentucky, recorded for the RPM Challenge in just 22 days, found the artist limiting himself to just mandolin and voice. For this summer’s Penny Riddle he used different constraints: Each of its eight songs is just a minute long. We can’t wait to see what he puts his mind—and talent—to next.

Check the rest of the listings here! Thanks Metroland!