Local country slinger Watson, who spoke openly against the COVID-19 vaccine in 2021, established the event in 2014 to recognize the best contemporary honky-tonk, Western swing, rockabilly, and outlaw artists. Taking place at ACL Live at the Moody Theater, the 2024 nominees include Texas acts Johnny Falstaff, the Golden Roses, Kat Hasty, Dallas Burrow, and Reckless Kelly. Asleep at the Wheel bandleader Ray Benson is the ceremony’s Master Award honoree, while Texas Tornados’ Augie Meyers and Flaco Jiménez will be recognized as Founders of the Sound. Lone Star country fans can also expect a tribute to late singer-songwriter Charlie Robison.
Voting for the awards show is open until Dec. 31 on the Ameripolitan website. In between accolades, the organization promises appearances by certified twangers Junior Brown, Reverend Horton Heat, Big Sandy, Deke Dickerson, Summer Dean, Kelly Willis, Monte Warden, Jamie Lin Wilson, Les Greene, Mitch Polzak, Sweet Megg, Kullen Fox, Lisa Pankratz, Rick Trevino, Brennen Leigh, Melissa Carper, James Intveld, Rosie Flores, and, curiously, Britt Daniel.
As usual, the awards show caps off three days of events showcasing contemporary Ameripolitan acts. On Thursday, Feb. 15, Watson and his wife, Celine Lee, will perform alongside Croy & the Boys and the Golden Roses at the Wyndham Garden hotel. Gigs at the Continental Club, C-Boy’s Heart & Soul, Broken Spoke, and Saxon Pub follow in the succeeding days. Unlike the free shows in the Ameripolitan Awards’ early days, all of the events charge a $20 or $30 cover.
Throughout the weekend, the Wyndham Garden Austin – which hosted the inaugural Ameripolitan Awards – will offer a vintage Western artisan market with clothing vendors, chain stitching, tintype photography, two-step lessons, and nominee meet and greets. See the full weekend schedule below.
Thursday, Feb. 15
Pre-Party: Dale Watson, Celine Lee Watson, Croy & the Boys, the Golden Roses
Wyndham Garden Hotel, $30
Friday, Feb. 16
Deke Dickerson, Dave Stuckey, Big Sandy & Friends, Marti Brom
Continental Club, $20
Messer Chups, Theo Lawrence, DJ Tropicana Joe
C-Boy’s Heart & Soul, $20
Writers in the Round: Dallas Burrow, Gabe Lee, Johnny Falstaff, Stephanie Joyce, Taylor Hunnicutt, Willie Tea Taylor
Saxon Pub, $20
Saturday, Feb. 17
Dale Watson’s Honky Tonk Heroes: Celine Lee Watson, Dylan Earl, Rachel Brook, Sterling Drake, Sweet Megg, JesseLee Jones, Emily Ann Jones, Lovesick
The Broken Spoke, $20
Slim’s Pickin’ Party: A Tribute to James Hand: Jake Penrod, Dale Watson, Carolyn Sills Combo, Hannah Juanita, Brennen Leigh, Lucas Hudgins, the Original James Hand Band with Speedy Sparks, Jerry Mack Cook, Johnny Mac, Beth Chrisman, and more
Continental Club, $20
Swelltunes Records Jamboree: Kyle Eldridge, Becky Lynn Blanca, Shaun Young, Jonny Safford, and more
Continental Club, $20
The Bellfuries
Continental Club
Summer Dean, the Cowpokes, the L-Men
C-Boy’s Heart & Soul, $20
Women of Ameripolitan Strings & Stories songwriter swap: Brennen Leigh, Melissa Carper, Kelsey Waldon, Hannah Juanita, Gray DeLisle, Cristina Vane
Saxon Pub, $20
The Banditos
Saxon Pub
Sunday, Feb. 18
Ameripolitan Music Awards
ACL Live at the Moody Theater, $33-63
This article appears in December 15 • 2023.
