RAY BENSON TO HOST 3RD ANNUAL AMERIPOLITAN MUSIC AWARDS

The Ameripolitan Music Awards returns to Austin’s historic Paramount Theatre for the 3rd Annual Ameripolitan Music Awards on Tuesday, February 16, 2016, at 8 pm

AUSTIN , TX, UNITED STATES, August 11, 2015 /EINPresswire.com/ -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 11, 2015

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RAY BENSON TO HOST 3RD ANNUAL AMERIPOLITAN MUSIC AWARDS
Ameripolitan music’s biggest night returns to Austin’s Paramount Theatre
Tuesday, February 16, 2016

(Austin, TX) – The Ameripolitan Music Awards returns to Austin’s historic Paramount Theatre for the 3rd Annual Ameripolitan Music Awards on Tuesday, February 16, 2016, at 8 p.m., with music legend and past Ameripolitan winner Ray Benson hosting. With his magnetic personality, Benson will emcee the event, honoring the best of Ameripolitan music with stories, music and of course, song.
“As a former winner and presenter, I’m honored to host the 2016 Ameripolitan Music Awards. I invite everyone to come on out – it will be a star-studded evening of great music and awards, honoring the outstanding American Roots performers of today!” exclaims Benson.
In February 2013, renowned Texas musician, Dale Watson coined the term “Ameripolitan” to describe his own brand of original roots music – when moved by remarks Ray Price wrote in defense of his style of traditional music. Seizing the moment, Watson embarked on the ambitious goal of organizing an Ameripolitan Music Awards show with a deadline of “one year to the day”. One year later, to the day, the first annual Ameripolitan Music Awards took place.
“The 2016 awards show will be the coming of age for the genre," Watson says. "The performance line-up will be a 'who's who' in the industry, not to mention having a music giant like Ray Benson hosting. We also have several big surprises in store that will electrify fans. This year we are taking the Ameripolitan Music Awards to a new level.”

A small following of “true believers” helped make the first Awards a reality. The event featured award winners selected by fans, starring an abundance of independent roots rockers. Bonded together by this momentous occasion, fans and performers alike of Honky Tonk, Rockabilly, Western Swing and Outlaw music inaugurated a new genre of music that night.
Exceeding all expectations, in just three years Ameripolitan Music has been warmly embraced by fans worldwide and has become home for the best talent roots music has to offer.
Tickets start at $35 and are available beginning 10 a.m., Friday, August 14 at www.austintheatre.org. For updates and breaking news, please visit www. Ameripolitan.com as well as the Ameripolitan Awards social networks on TWITTER and FACEBOOK.

About Ameripolitan Music Awards:
Under the leadership of Texas Honky Tonk legend, Dale Watson, The Ameripolitan Music Awards was created to acknowledge the exceptional creativity and dedication of roots artists whose work does not readily conform to the tastes of today's "Country", or other music genres and organizations. Ameripolitan Music LLC and The Ameripolitan Music Awards were founded to benefit and acknowledge these artists. It also provides fans with a means of finding these artists and their music.

Ameripolitan – This thought provoking word is intended to be an invitation to discuss the future of the music that is important to so many. It is music that has heart and guts. The goal of Ameripolitan Music is to help reestablish this music’s own unique identity, elevate its significance and help reinvigorate it creatively. Also, because of our place in history, we have the privilege and responsibility to pass a great musical tradition on to future generations who will otherwise have no direct connection to this music.

The Ameripolitan Music Awards acknowledges those Ameripolitan artists whose music honors tradition while demonstrating exceptional originality, creativity, and musicianship. Through their work, Ameripolitan music is now being defined. The Awards also acknowledge Ameripolitan DJs and venues that promote these artists and their music along with honoring a living legend who has kept the tradition alive through their music and perseverance.
About Ameripolitan Categories: Ameripolitan is a new music genre with prominent roots influence. It is broken into four related subcategories: Honky Tonk, Western Swing, Rockabilly and Outlaw. Artists and bands can fall into one or more of these categories. Musical and lyrical creativity is critical but to be considered Ameripolitan music, it must retain some of these traditional elements as well.

Honky Tonk is a versatile category but it is typically associated with shuffle and waltz time music with a strong danceable beat. Lyrically, it can range from rural to urban, from profane to patriotic, but an emphasis on the ups and downs of life and love in and around the honky tonk is common. Ray Price’s, Johnny Bush’s and Tammy Wynette’s music are classic examples. Dale Watson’s, James Hand’s and Amber Digby’s music are contemporary examples.

Western Swing has a lighter yet still very danceable swing beat. Lyrically, it can also range widely but an emphasis the sentimental and whimsical is not uncommon. Bob Wills’, Hank Thompson’s, and Cindy Walker’s music are classic examples. The Cornell Hurd Band’s, Asleep at the Wheel’s, and Carolyn Martin’s music are contemporary examples.

Rockabilly is the most youth oriented of the styles. A strong up tempo dance beat is predominant. Lyrically, the music is often simple with cars, dating and other youth related activities being the most common subjects. Carl Perkins’, Jerry Lee Lewis’ and Wanda Jackson’s music are Classic examples. Big Sandy’s, James Intveld’s and Rosie Flores’ music are contemporary examples.

Outlaw was originally intended to describe how this music was made (outside the Nashville system) as much as what it sounded like. It has come to be associated with a slower, half time, heavy bass beat or more up tempo rock beats. Outlaw is lyrically similar to Honky Tonk and Rockabilly. Classic examples include Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Jesse Colter. Contemporary examples include Jesse Dayton, Whitey Morgan and Sarah Gayle Meech.

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¹ http://www.ameripolitan.com