Brian Setzer Leads List of Initial Ameripolitan Performers for 2018
The Ameripolitan Awards will be marking their 5th year by moving from Austin to Memphis where so much of the music celebrated by the emerging genre originally emanated from. And now one of the individuals who was seminal to revitalizing the Sun Studios Memphis sound starting in the late 70’s and all the way through today has been announced as one of the main performers for the event, as well as the recipient of Ameripolitan’s Master Award.
The 5th Annual Ameripolitan Awards will be held at the Memphis at Graceland’s Guesthouse Hotel on February 13th, 2018. And along with the legendary Stray Cat Brian Setzer, other early scheduled performers include east Nashville throwback country maven Nikki Lane, the Godfather of Psychobilly The Reverend Horton Heat, the “Kang” of Country and Western Troubadours Unknown Hinson, Western Swing legacy keepers Asleep At The Wheel, and James “Slim” Hand.
Along with these performers, it has also been announced that the 2018 installment will once again be hosted by Ameripolitan founder Dale Watson, along with help from co-host of The History Channel’s American Pickers, Danielle Colby.
“The 2018 awards show will mark a new milestone for the genre,” says Dale Watson. “Austin has been great to us, but when we first started the awards, the dream was to bring the Ameripolitan Music Awards to different host cities. And for the fifth year, moving to Memphis, the epicenter of roots music, seemed like a natural progression. Every year we strive to take the Ameripolitan Music Awards to a new level, and moving to Graceland seemed like the perfect fit.”
Founded by Dale Watson after the “Old Farts & Jackasses” comments of Blake Shelton, the Ameripolitan Awards is Dale Watson’s effort to keep roots traditions alive and celebrate artists going unrecognized by the rest of the country music industry. Since the inaugural year, the awards have grown from a ballroom in a hotel in Austin, to Austin’s Paramount where people from around the country travel to take part in the festivities, to now moving to Memphis. The Ameripolitan Music Awards acknowledges “Artists whose music honors tradition while demonstrating exceptional originality, creativity, and musicianship,” and is a 501(c)3 organization.
Tickets for the event are now on sale.
October 18, 2017 @ 12:17 am
Brian Setzer is one of my top favourites ever of ever in music right next to Roy Orbsion and LInda Ronstadt. So I applaud any event that gives him an award.
October 18, 2017 @ 1:01 am
Big fan of Brian Setzer. I respect this site all the more for seeing his name mentioned here.
Though arguably more “country by association” (so-to-speak) he is definitely a talent who has the credibility to be here – more so than the bro-country wanabees.
October 18, 2017 @ 8:27 am
Brian Setzer and the Stray Cats were throwback artists before we even knew what throwback artists were. They are the very origination point of retro cool. It may be more rockabilly than country, but it would be irresponsible to not respect what Setzer has done to keep the roots of American music alive.
October 18, 2017 @ 3:36 am
Setzer is on the list because he is a rockabilly artist. Rockabilly is one of the 4 categories awarded in Ameripolitan. It has nothing to do with how country he is. Other Rockabilly folks who have won in previous years include Rosie Flores, High Noon, Horton Heat and I think Big Sandy.As for me, I agree, Setzer is arguably one of the greatest guitar players out there and his music got me into Rockabilly. Looks like it’s gonna be an exceptional lineup. Curious to see who may be nominated for Honky Tonk and Outlaw Country.
October 18, 2017 @ 5:54 am
I’m just trying to figure out if I saw Dale Watson in a Coca-Cola commercial the other day.
October 18, 2017 @ 5:57 am
I saw him in a Christmas movie a few years ago, and then I swore I saw him in another ad (wasn’t Coca-Cola) a few months back.
October 18, 2017 @ 7:51 am
Yes he was. Very brief appearance, but it’s him.
October 18, 2017 @ 10:26 am
even tho they are all ameripolitan, every one of the six acts in the announcement poster looks more country than luke bryan does on the cover of his album.
October 18, 2017 @ 1:47 pm
Brian Setzer is a bad ass… period. Though the Stray Cats were retro they also fit in with new wave.
Also, Setzer’s guitar work was very innovative and surpasses most rock-a-billy guitarists by a long shot. The guy is an innovator.
October 23, 2017 @ 8:31 am
I’ve wanted to be Brian Setzer since I was 12 and saw Stray Cats play Rock this Town on some bad TV dance show.