11/12/2009 1:56:20 PM
I didn’t watch the CMA’s, never do, but when I saw the list of winners, I started thinking about who would win if it was my show. I don’t have anything against the CMA’s or even mainstream country for that matter, that’s what I grew up on, after all. But back then mainstream country was Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Paycheck, Bobby Bare, Hank Jr. and a ton of others that would never get played today. About the CMA’s I say, fine, whatever. Plenty of people like that stuff so what the hell, let them have it, but let’s also get the real stuff out there so that the general population can also see and hear what it’s really about.
Here is my list of winners for the HTJMA’s (The Honky Tonk Junkie Music Awards) using the CMA’s eligibility start date of July 1, 2008 on up to the CMA’s airdate of November 11, 2009. And yes, I extended the eligibility period beyond their date of June 30, 2009. Why? Because it’s my damn list, that’s why.
Entertainer–Jesse Dayton–Jesse has to be one of the hardest working guys in the biz. He has his own record label, he writes and performs music for movies, he’s an actor and an all around great showman. He’s currently touring with Rob Zombie as Captain Clegg & the Night Creatures, based on the characters he and his band played in the movie Halloween II.
Single–Drunk Dialer–Miss Leslie & Her Juke-Jointers–This was my favorite record this year. Great story that we can all relate to. Produced by pedal steel player, Ricky Davis, this is hands down one of the best-sounding recordings ever.
Song–Country Song–Jackson Taylor & The Sinners–This song pulls no punches and tells it like it is. There is no better person to sing this song than Jackson Taylor.
Album–All Alone Again–Joey Allcorn–Joey does retro right but with a modern sound. He used legendary players like former Drifting Cowboy, the late steel player, Don Helms. This record stayed in my CD player for weeks. I couldn’t get enough.
Female Vocalist–Amber Digby–I can’t get enough of her voice. If I were you, I’d go online and pick up everything she’s ever done. You won’t be sorry.
Male Vocalist–Dale Watson–This should just be called “The Dale Watson” award and he should win it every year.
Vocal Group–The Hacienda Brothers–This is the best group you’ve probably never heard of. Unfortunately, lead singer-songwriter, Chris Gaffney died right before their last album came out. Pick up their album Arizona Motel and hear how it’s done because it won’t be again.
Vocal Duo–Mark McKinney & Kevin Fowler–Check out their duet, County Line, from McKinney’s Middle America album. Great vocals on a fun, blue collar party song.
Musical Event–Captain Clegg & The Night Creatures–This came about because Rob Zombie needed a band to play a Halloween party for Halloween II and Jesse Dayton was the one guy who could pull it off. They played a lot of rockabilly in the movie but the album contains quite a few honky tonk songs and it an overall solid effort from a band created for the movies.
Musician–Ricky Davis–I think anyone who can play pedal steel is a God, but Ricky Davis is God’s God. Formerly, Dale Watson’s steel player, he is now playing with his Fiancee, Leslie Sloan (Miss Leslie) and producing as well.
Music Video–Cocaine–Jackson Taylor & The Sinners–I love performance videos and with this one you can get a good idea of what one of Jackson’s shows is like. I’ve never seen one live because he hasn’t played California in a long time. I may soon have to fly to Texas to see him.
New Artist–Cowboy Dave–These guys are from Nebraska, formed from the remains of Forty Twenty. I love their sound and songs and hope to one day see them live, because as much as I love their record, I’m willing to bet their live show is like no other.
So there you go. That’s how it would be if I ran things. Out of the albums that I know of that will be out in time for next year’s awards, here is who I predict will be winners next year in some capacity: Lisa & Her Kin, The Railbenders & Eleven Hundred Springs. How do I know this? Because it’s my damn list, that’s how.
