The 2017 Ameripolitan Music Awards special award recipients include music legend Jerry Lee Lewis (Master Award) and Junior Brown (Keeper of the Key Award) to be honored at Austin’s historic Paramount Theatre on Wednesday, February 15, 2017, at 8 p.m., during the 4PthP Annual Ameripolitan Music Awards co-hosted by Austin’s own roots music mavens Ray Benson and Dale Watson.
“We are cramming more music into less time, which means more meat on the bone entertainment-wise. Alongside some past performers and new nominees slated to perform, Keeper of the Key Award recipient Junior Brown will be in attendance and perform. This will be a natural progression and upward motivational show that will keep Ameripolitan Music as a genre growing and talked about for years to come,” states Dale Watson.
Artists slated to perform at this year’s ceremony include Junior Brown, Johnny Bush, Leona Williams, Bonnie Montgomery, Jake Penrod, Carolyn Martin, Marti Brom, Jessie Dayton, Rosie Flores, James Intveld, Jason Roberts, Charlie Thompson, Lance Lipinksy, Wayne Hancock, Ray Benson, Dale Watson and other special guests. Sirius XM’s Dallas Wayne will again jump into the announcer’s seat.
Dale Watson explains why the Ameripolitan Music Awards chose to honor Junior Brown and Jerry Lee Lewis this year, “Jerry Lee Lewis embodies Ameripolitan Music. He is a founder of the Rockabilly piano, Honky Tonk singing and Outlaw attitude while consistently giving a nod to Western Swing in his shows. He is a major part of the very roots of what Ameripolitan represents. He took his influences from gospel, blues, and country and created his own style. A style best described today as Ameripolitan. It’s a great validation as an awards show and new genre to have a true legend to believe and accept this award.”
Watson continues, moving to Junior Brown, “Junior Brown is the epitome of an extension of the roots of music. His influence of the greatest steel guitarists, like Lloyd Green, and original vocal stylist like Ernest Tubb gel seamlessly in every song he sings making Junior Brown the perfect example of the natural progression of a modern artist influenced by major roots artist. Bringing new music with prominent roots influence to new generations is what makes Junior Brown an important and very influential artist worthy of the Ameripolitan award for Keeper of the Key.”
The fan votes have been tallied and winners will be announced live during the 4PthP Annual Ameripolitan Music Awards on Wednesday, February 15, 2017.
Tickets start at $45 and are available now HERE, the Paramount Theatre box office, and by phone at (512) 474-1221.