Alejandro Escovedo accepts his awards for Singer-Songwriter and Hall of Fame as KGSR deejays Bryan Beck (l) and Kevin Connor (r) applaud.
photograph by Bludmuffin

The stars at night are big and bright here in the heart of Texas, but if that night is the Awards show, they shine even bigger
and brighter. At the 15th annual Austin Music Awards, winners, performers,
fans, and stars were out. If the heavens illuminated any one band in
particular, it was Storyville, whose eight-award sweep — including Album of
the Year, Band of the Year, Song of the Year — set a new record for winning
Austin Music Awards. For first-time winners like Best Female Vocalist Lisa
Tingle and Best Songwriter Dale Watson, these awards are sweet recognition for
longtime efforts. For repeat winners like MC Overlord and Los Pinkys, it’s a
reaffirmation of audience loyalty and support. And for the entire music
community of Austin, it was their night. — Margaret Moser
* Winners of the 1996-97 Austin Music Awards were published last week.

The Texas Tornados treated audiences to special guest Roy Head.
photograph by John Carrico

Jimmie Vaughan and Lou Ann Barton paid a little homage to emcee Paul Ray when they opened with “Twine Time.”
photograph by Michelle Dapra

Charlie and Will Sexton — another kind of family style.
photograph by John Carrico

Beavis and Butt-head creator Mike Judge (l) really is King of the Hill, as he demonstrated with comedian Johnny Hardwick (who does the voice of KOTH’s Dale).
photograph by Bludmuffin

Street busker Gerry Van King, “The King of Sixth Street,” has become a regular at the Awards show.
photograph by John Carrico

Same as it ever was… Maybe King Coffey is wondering where the rest of the Butthole Surfers are. He can’t possibly be questioning their wins for Best Video and Single of the Year!
photograph by Bludmuffin

Best Jazz Band 8-1/2 Souvenirs (with Best Keyboard player Glover Gill) opened the evening with style and panache.
photograph by John Carrico

This article appears in March 21 • 1997 and March 21 • 1997 (Cover).

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