Founded in January 2020 by lifelong musician, recording artist, inventor and entrepreneur Cole Coleman, the Rock Music Alliance (RMA) 501(c)(3) nonprofit grew from a frustration he had carried for years: watching rock and metal gradually disappear from mainstream awards-show visibility. As a young musician, Coleman remembers rock being a much more prominent part of the televised Grammys, but over time the focus shifted increasingly toward pop and other genres. Rather than viewing that as something to criticize the Grammys for, Coleman saw it as a void that needed filling. His travels as a musician and inventor—he created the Thimble Slide mini guitar slide—reinforced his belief that reports of rock’s demise were greatly exaggerated. While exhibiting at guitar shows in different cities, he encountered thriving rock scenes, talented young bands and audiences embracing everything from classic rock to metal and progressive music. What was missing, he realized, was a central place where the public could discover what was being created. RMA’s mission is to raise public awareness of new rock, metal and prog releases, provide professional peer recognition and create an interactive community among artists, industry and fans.
Recognition Based on the Music at Rock Music Alliance
At the center of the RMA is its awards program, designed to recognize outstanding new music without regard to celebrity status. An artist can be an established star, an independent musician recording in an apartment or anywhere in between; the determining factor is the music. Entries must be commercially released during the designated eligibility period and fall within the organization’s broad spectrum of rock, metal, prog. The RMA currently recognizes a dozen distinct styles, including classic rock, modern rock, alternative rock, hard rock, alternative hard rock, blues rock, roots/country/Southern rock, progressive/cinematic rock/metal, power metal, alternative metal, symphonic/gothic rock/metal and guitar instrumentals. The Academy of Judges evaluates releases for Best Album and Best Song/Track, while exceptional music can receive Awards of Recognition. Coleman sees the awards not simply as trophies, but a way to inform the public about great new music and give artists and bands a professional acknowledgment they may otherwise never receive.
More Than an Awards Organization
RMA’s reach extends beyond its awards through a three-pronged approach including podcasts, live events and digital exposure. Hosted primarily by Coleman, the RMA Podcast features in-depth interviews with established artists, studio musicians, touring players, and industry professionals, alongside conversations spotlighting emerging talent and new releases. Guests have included Tony Kaye, Chris Wyse, Becky Baldwin, Mike Plotnikoff and many others, with episodes distributed through YouTube, Spotify, iHeartRadio and other outlets. RMA playlists provide another avenue for discovery, while live events bring the community together through performances featuring rock bands and DJs. Coleman’s ultimate goal is to build the RMA Awards into a major annual live celebration. To achieve that, he’s seeking sponsors, donors, and celebrity support with performances. For him, the most rewarding part is discovering extraordinary music—especially from artists who have gone largely unrecognized—and finally giving them a platform.
