ATLANTA, GA & Cremona (IT) — The 2026 International Singer Songwriters Association (ISSA) Awards, held at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center in the greater Atlanta area, concluded its annual ceremony by recognizing independent musical talent from multiple countries. The event serves as an international platform designed to foster cross-border cultural collaboration and support independent music production.
During the 2026 proceedings, the Italian artistic delegation secured three placements in the international categories. Composer and musician Michele Annunziata received the Gold Award for International Male Rising Star and the Gold Award for International Musician of the Year. Singer-songwriter and producer Raffaella Piccirillo earned the Silver Award for International Musician of the Year.
The accolades are linked to the collaborative single titled "In The Modern Dew," featuring a contemporary arrangement composed by Annunziata and vocals performed by Piccirillo. In addition to her performance, Piccirillo was responsible for the tracking, production, and audio engineering of the final release. Prior to the final results, the project received nominations across several competitive fields, including international categories for song composition, music video production, and vocal duo performance.
The ISSA organization, which is a registered media entity with the Recording Academy, evaluates hundreds of international independent submissions annually through a panel of industry judges. The 2026 event highlighted entries from various global regions, including Europe, North America, and South America, aiming to establish corporate and artistic connections between local independent music scenes and the broader global market.
The international recognition of "In The Modern Dew" underscores the ongoing exchange between European independent producers and American cultural platforms. Both artists continue to operate within the independent circuit, focusing on cross-border projects and the development of collaborative music initiatives. Further details regarding the complete list of regional and international category placements are available on the official organization platform.
Official 2026 ISSA Winners Roster: https://issasongwriters.com/2026-issa-awards-winners/
