The 1998-99 Austin Music Awards show was an evening of Austin-style celebration and song. From the burst of musical energy kicking off the show to an unnannounced Grammys presentation, the evening sparkled and its stars shone. A few of its many moments (clockwise from top): Reckless Kelly with Joe Ely, stretching across two frames; 8 1/2 Souvenirs’ vocalist Christabell looking appropriately stunning; Musician of the Year Dav�d Garza delivered a smoking set; J-Net Ward took time off from Liberty Lunch’s showcase to present Kathy McCarty her Hall of Fame Award; Shawn Colvin, Bruce Robison, and Kelly Willis on “Angry All the Time”; Colvin also helped the KGSR krew present the SIMS Foundation with a $73,000 check, then posed with her sister Kay Colvin and Awards show director Margaret Moser; Meg Hengtes during her electrifying opening set; L.A.’s infamous Chuck E. Weiss with Kinky Friedman; Jon Dee Graham, Mambo Treanor, Scrappy Jud Newcomb, George Reiff, and Stephen Bruton � better known as the Resentments � regaled the audience with an extended jam of “Taking Care of Business,” whose improvised verses wryly poked fun at SXSW. Not shown but certainly a highlight of the evening, National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences president Michael Greene and Texas Naras chapter president Carlyne Majer belatedly presented Los Super Seven members Joe Ely, Rick Trevi�o, Ruben Ramos, and Freddy Fender with Grammys. Not too shabby for a local prom. – Margaret Moser
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This article appears in March 26 • 1999 and March 26 • 1999 (Cover).