Located in Los Angeles, California, The Akademia Music Awards is dedicated to recognizing excellence in music throughout the world and supporting musicians interested in receiving a higher degree of market exposure and professional recognition for their work. A few days ago, the Akademia made public the names of the winners for June 2016 and they include two performers from Bulgaria - Lilly Drumeva amd Vassil Petrov.

Known to the public as a country music singer, at the beginning of this year Lilly Drumeva once again demonstrated how successful she can be in different music styles. Her new album Strong Machine presented in Sofia in April is dedicated to the 20th anniversary of her band Lilly of the West. The album's ten songs won the Akademia's Best Pop Album award. Alongside the monthly awards, the organizers publish quotations from reviews:

“Lilly Drumeva's work is elevated by fervid vocal stylings, and her lead single 'You Can Count on Me' has the qualities needed for massive mainstream success.”

Bulgarian jazz and pop singer Vassil Petrov received two awards in Los Angeles: for Cover of Best Jazz Music Video with his rendition of Frank Sinatra's My Way and for Best Latin Song for Be in Love Forever, with music by Vassil Petrov and Alexander Kiprov. It is the title song of the album he released in 2004.

Here is the quote the Akademia gives for Be in Love Forever:

“Air-tight production, brilliant vocals and a feel-good vibe make this pop dance song shine and are sure to impel crowds everywhere to the dance floor.”

The video to the song My Way was shot in New York with the participation of renowned Bulgarian violinist Vesko Eschkenazy. The video is directed by Boris Radev and the arrangement is by Angel Zaberski Jr. The two awards come as no surprise as Vassil Petrov's style, aura and velvet voice have long ago made him a household name in this country. The Akademia Music Awards will be presented at a ceremony in Los Angeles.

Audio contains the following tracks:

- You Can Count on Me, Lilly Drumeva;

- Be in Love forever, Vassil Petrov;

- My Way, Vassil Petrov.

English version: Milena Daynova