Burns & Poe Named Independent Artist of the Year

Country duo Burns & Poe kicked off their week on a high note as they were named as Music Row Magazine's Independent Artist of the Year.

The recognition came the same week as Country Radio Seminar (CRS) -- a three-day industry event that includes seminars to further country radio and music, and serves as a networking event for artists and radio folk to rub elbows and introduce new music to country radio stations.

"We are very, very grateful and humbled to get that award," Michelle Poe tells Taste of Country. "Radio stations have been so good to us by playing our single. It’s really my first award or any kind of recognition, really! [laughs] I’m excited!"

"We’re just thrilled," adds Poe's duo partner, Keith Burns. "We’ve been working hard for the past couple of years just trying to get our music out there. It was a really, really good way to kick of CRS week … to walk in and the first day you get recognized, is amazing. We were in the same company as Gretchen Wilson and Steve Azar who are on independent labels, too. For us to win that is pretty special."

Music Row Magazine began recognizing the hard-working independent recording artists with various awards in multiple categories for nine years ago. Previous winners of the "Artist of the Year" include Jason Aldean and Craig Morgan.

Burns & Poe's debut self-titled double disc album will be hitting stores on April 26. A limited edition LP/CD package is currently available for purchase exclusively through the duo's website by clicking here. The current single from the album, 'How Long Is Long Enough,' is at radio now.