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“We invite you to read this incredible story of his friendship with Joe Strummer and The Clash, a tale of lightning bugs in South Texas fields, mariachi bands in Mexican border towns, and two kindred spirits who found common ground in poetry, rockabilly, and a shared love of the open road.” - Oxford American

Read here: https://oxfordamerican.org/magazine/issue-87-winter-2014/texas-calling

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Dale Watson’s Ameripolitan Awards Will Not Return in 2025 One of the coolest events in all of country music will not happen in 2025. The Dale Watson-founded Ameripolitan Awards has announced that due to funding issues, it will not be returning in February as planned.

Hello fellow Ameripolitans,
I’m sure most of you are wondering what’s up with this years Ameripolitan Awards. The short answer is , it’s not happening. Every year celine and I work tirelessly starting right after the awards is over. Right after clean up , I pay the left over expenses which goes into the tens of thousands. I personally can’t afford it anymore. I wish the awards could continue and if some monetary windfall happened to sponsor it , it would be on like donkey kong.
Now, this doesn’t mean Ameripolitan is gone. We will still sponsor package shows that will feature Ameripolitan up and comers and winners of past Awards. In addition we are in talks for an Ameripolitan Show on a popular format.
It is my belief that we will find funding to continue the awards maybe next year, and maybe pass the baton to someone else who GETS it. So, that’s the skinny. Let’s keep H***y Tonk, Rockabilly , Western Swing and Outlaw alive and keep on keeping on, because mainstream Country Music ain’t gonna do it. I am sad that deserving newcomers will not get the recognition this year, but we will try to spotlight them through our socials. Keep the faith. Let’s hope it’s a temporary set back.

Dale and Celine Lee Watson