Scenes from 2023’s Ameripolitan (& Yes, Waffle House Dresses)

There are a lot of country fans and artists who like to complain about country music nowadays. Music Row makes entertainment very easy. What’s difficult is making any meaningful effort to try and do something about it. That’s what Dale Watson, Celine Lee, and everyone involved with the Ameripolitan organization do with their annual awards and the weekend of celebrations leading up to them.

One of the themes of the 2023 Ameripolitan Awards was for the recipient to say, “I’ve never won an award before.” This is also what singer and violinist great Dawn Sears had to say when she won the first Ameripolitan award at the first Ameripolitan Awards presentation in 2014 just months before she passed away.

We never expected to see artists like Rachel Brooke, and Croy and the Boys win an Award. Rachel Brooke’s “The Queen of Underground Country” is one of the first acts Saving Country Music has ever performed since 2008. A win for Austin mainstay Croy and the Boys is like a win for all the great Austin honky tonk bands who get briefly overlooked in national country music conversations . For artists and bands, the Ameripolitan Award is validation. It means someone really pays attention to, and appreciates.

To see a complete recap and all of the 2023 Ameripolitan Awards winners, CLICK HERE. But for two days before the awards ceremony, the show takes place at the swanky Graceland House in Memphis showcasing some of the greatest up-and-coming and independent talent from country, roots, and rockabilly—or “Ameripolitan” as we call it. in this case. There was also a Sunday afternoon fashion show, and yes, The Waffle House print crochet dresses made an appearance. There are also several legends that popped up over the weekend.

Kinky Friedman is now 77 years old, and not quite as wild as he was when he got his episodes Austin City Limits forbidden. But it’s cool to see the undisputed legend and pioneer of country music take the stage. What Kinky still has is humor, and he uses it to his distinct advantage to entertain crowds. Dale Watson forces Kinky to read a poem, called “The Navigator” about his father. After that Kinky took out a cigar and took pictures with anyone and everyone who asked him as if he was not the one who had ever run a serious campaign for Governor of Texas.

Ameripolitan isn’t just about the “Outlaw,” “Honky Tonk” and “Western Swing” categories. Rockabilly is also highly represented, both among performers, and in the audience population. Rockabilly winner Female Jane Rose, The Hi-Jivers, Bloodshot Bill, Sean K. Preston, and Canadian Ichi-Bons were some of the highlights of the rockabilly weekend.

But perhaps the best performers of the weekend came Saturday night when an incredible array of killer songwriters took to the stage one after another at the Guesthouse at Graceland theatre.

Kaitlin Butts puts in a fair performance to characterize as a “career moment”. Without her band, and in front of an audience that wasn’t quite like the Texas/Red Dirt scene she knew, Kaitlin came out with nothing but an acoustic guitar, and was stunned. It is in moments of nakedness like these that an artist awakens, or is exposed. Despite the power of her songs, her voice, and her guitar playing, Kaitlin Butts proves she’s ready for any stage, audience, or moment.

Kaitlin Butts received a standing ovation at the end of her set, and several grown men openly admitted later getting teary eyed at several moments. It feels like one of those shows we’ll still refer to years from now.

About the only person on the planet who can take the stage after the emotion evoked during Kaitlin Butts’ performance in hopes of success is one of the last true folk musicians around, the up-and-coming Willi Carlisle.

From playing bones and harmonica, to playing guitar, banjo, accordion, and reciting oral essays in a room where you can hear pin drop, Willi proves why he currently fills the short list of players you really should see now while he still playing in smaller venues. It’s been years and years, but the news about Willi Carlisle and the magic he’s sown alive is out.

At this point, it’s fair to question whether Sierra Ferrell even needs the backing of something like Ameripolitan as he sells theater from coast to coast. But his participation in the 2023 Ameripolitan gathering is voluntary and enthusiastic, and that’s what’s cool about him. In fact, he was one of the most active participants all weekend, not just showing up on a Saturday night and proving somehow he’s getting better over time.

Sierra Ferrell also hung out all weekend, modeling half a dozen or so outfits during Sunday afternoon’s Ameripolitan fashion show (pictured below), was there watching her co-stars play, and the rumor from people was she was up until almost morning participated in the marathon election party.

There were so many amazing performances over the weekend, and apologies to some of the cast not mentioned or pictured below. There’s too much good music, moments, conversation, friendship, and community going on to take it all in, though keeping (most of) it all under one roof (some of the events take place in Hernando’s Hideaway down the road), made for a lot less hectic. event compared to previous years.

After going dark during the pandemic, Ameripolitan is making it big in 2023, and it looks like the momentum could carry it to even bigger places in the years to come.

All photos below by Kyle “Trigger” Coroneos

Sierra Ferrell Runway Models: