Photo courtesy of Joshua Adams Photography Singer and songwriter Dawn Rix of West Virginia gave her acceptance speech after earning the Lifetime Achievement award at the 2023 Who’s Hoo Country Music Awards
If you like country music, but not the sounds of mainstream chart-toppers, you might feel right at home at the third annual Who’s Hoo Country Music Awards.
The two-day program, being held at The Commons Friday and Saturday, features musical performances and awards in 16 different categories.
Presented by the Night Owl Country Band, Who’s Hoo features independent country music artists from around the globe. Essentially, independent musicians take pride that their compositions and performances are not dictated by major record labels and corporate elements.
There’s a wide range of genres used by independent country musicians ranging from honky-tonk, country-type rockabilly, western swing, Appalachian country, rodeo country – and even a category called spaghetti and fantasy western. However, most independent country has its roots firmly placed in traditional, old-school country, according to the Save Country Music website.
Starting at 7 p.m. Friday, four musical acts will open the event at The Commons: Three of the acts are Ernie “Sticktight” Akins of Kentucky, the Grace Scott Band from Logansport, and the event’s host: The Night Owl Country Band, based in Columbus.
Friday’s headliner will be the Louisville-based Arianna and the Bourbon Britches. The four-piece, all-female band were featured last September at the Hope Heritage Days, and perform a mix of originals and covers.
Originally, actor Jon Heder was scheduled for a celebrity meet and greet Saturday afternoon. But the actor, best known for playing the title role in the 2004 film “Napoleon Dynamite” had to cancel his appearance, show organizer Matt Lee said.
On Saturday, the red carpet will roll out at 3:30 p.m. for the visiting independent musicians. Considered a branch award show of the International Singer-Songwriter’s Association, the music and award announcements will begin at 5 p.m.
The “Who’s Hoo Country Music Awards” strives to recognize some of the best independent country music artists from around the globe, organizers said.
“We’ve got a band coming from New Zealand named “Rowdy’s Rose” that will be performing Saturday,” Lee said.
Rowdy’s Rose consists of a married couple, Blair and Rosie Shaw, from the Waikato region of northern New Zealand. The Shaws, who played three shows last month in Nashville, Tennessee, are nominated for six awards at Who’s Hoo.
Another example of the event’s global reach is Caitlin Mae, the 2022 Entertainer of the Year who came to Columbus from her home in Wales, Lee said. However, she has permanently resided in Nashville, Tennessee, since last January.
This year awards will be given out in 16 categories. Some of the top awards, as well as last year’s winners, are Best Male Vocalist (Ron A. McNeill), Best Female Vocalist (Brooke Butler), Musician of the Year (Pam Ross), Songwriter of the Year (Amy Jo), Album of the Year (Trent Prewitt: Highway to Me) and Lifetime Achievement (Dawn Rix).
The criteria for judging includes artist activity, followers, quality, and stage presence. Applying that criteria will be a panel of eight judges.
The beneficiary of proceeds from the event will be Landmark Columbus Foundation, an organization that cares for, celebrates and advances the cultural heritage of Columbus and like-minded communities. Under the leadership of Executive Director Richard McCoy, Landmark Columbus has partnered with Who’s Hoo Country Music Awards since its inception, Lee said.
“Richard is such a fantastic guy, easy to work with, and a go-getter,” Lee said. “We both kind of click because we both like taking chances.”
The cost of attending the two-day music festival and award show is $50. But those who bring a new toy for the Columbus Firemen’s Cheer Fund to the event will get their weekend pass for $25, Lee said.
Non-refundable tickets can be ordered online at whoshooawards.org. The lineup is subject to change based on the entertainer’s availability, according to Lee.
