Despite persistent rumors of Prince, Johnny Depp, Justin Timberlake and Robert Plant, there were no big surprise guests at the Austin Music Awards last night.
But the very long, gassy, graying, boozy show included galvanizing music.
In fact, I began to cherish the extended sets, starting with a tribute to late SXSW leader Brent Grulke. I learned more about the country-inflected Trishas and world musicians of Brownout from their performances.
Organizer Margaret Moser looked fantastic, especially considering her recent surgery, as did her glamor-hound brother, Stephen Moser. He and friends were decked out in Made in Heaven fashions, which Stephen plans to debut in Dallas soon.
Britt Daniels seems to everywhere this week. This was the third show I’d caught that included the heartthrob from Spoon and Divine Fits.
Music writer Andy Langer makes a darn good emcee, especially given the sprawling nature of the awards. Topping the Oscars, Emmys and Tonys, some winning acts filled the stage with accepting artists.
The cockles of my heart warmed for one of my fave ’80s band, the Reivers, who I insist once played the dining room of our West Campus bungalow.
Gary Clark Jr. — who I did first catch in a backyard scratch show — grabbed six awards. Then the blues guitar godlet joined Bill Carter for what seemed like 40 minutes of pure ambrosial pleasure.
Who needs an induced high when you’ve got Austin music?
Photos by Jay Janner