WAMA Folds After 33 Years

WASHINGTON DC (CelebrityAccess) The Washington Area Music Association, the non-profit organization responsible for the annual Wammies music awards, is calling it quits after 33 years.

“It is with great sadness and regret that we have come to the decision to close WAMA’s doors effective December 31, 2017,” the WAMA board of directors announced Dec. 29. “At this time, there simply is not enough energy, funding, or leadership to continue this wonderful organization at the level its members deserve.

“WAMA has had an incredible 33-year run, mainly because of Mike Schreibman and founding members Tom Carrico, John Simson, Michael Jaworek, and Charles Stephenson. The countless hours donated by volunteers, including the inimitable Loralyn Coles, gave WAMA its wings to produce the Wammies, the Crosstown Jams, concerts, workshops and other events over the years.”

The organization, based in Washington, D.C., offered professional development services, networking opportunities and elements such as assistance in obtaining barcodes for recordings and production of live events. It organized the Washington Area Music Awards and released and promoted recordings from various member artists.

WAMA said, per federal law, it will donate any remaining funds to another nonprofit.