Show's 10th anniversary return uplifts largely outsider roots sounds
Dale Watson coined the term to describe his own brand of hard honky-tonk, but it’s expanded to embrace a broad sweep loosely umbrellaed by Western swing, rockabilly, and outlaw. Although the category sometimes leads to incongruous boxing – like this year’s nominations dubbing NOLA folk stompers the Deslondes as honky-tonk – the end result lifts up music that’s often still underrecognized, even within the widening reach of Americana.
For the 10th anniversary of the Ameripolitan Music Awards, Watson returned the show to Austin for the first time since he left Texas for Memphis in 2018. On Sunday night, the Moody Theater’s gala found much of the crowd decked in high rockabilly and honky-tonk fashion, even as the show kept a loose and raucous feel. Most apparent, though, was the sense of community spearheaded by Watson, who generated gratitude from the fans and especially the nominees.
After accepting his Ameripolitan Master Award, Benson gave a rallying rendition of “Miles and Miles of Texas.” Still, Kelly Willis, Melissa Carper, and Western Swing Female award winner Brennen Leigh provided the early highlight with new single “Another Broken Heart” from the upcoming debut of their supergroup, Wonder Women of Country.
While honoring the influence of the roots genres’ legacies, the awards equally focused on cultivating the next generation of talent. Kaitlin Butts gave a heartfelt and tearful speech for Honky Tonk Female, bolstered by Kelsey Waldon’s defiant acceptance of Outlaw Female.
Ameripolitan may still be an awkwardly defined genre, more of a musical spirit than a specific sound. But the evening proved a definitive Ameripolitan community as presenters, performers, and winners continuously acknowledged their appreciation for Watson and his wife Celine, who’ve created a space to recognize both the past and future of largely outsider roots sounds.
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