The inaugural Who’s Hoo Independent Country Music Awards will unfold Saturday afternoon at The Commons with an expected audience of about 300 people from around the country and some with international connections as far away as Wales. The event has won the support of the Columbus Area Visitors Center and Landmark Columbus Foundation, according to organizer Matt Lee.
Lee is lead singer of the popular, locally based and nationally touring Night Owl Country Band that began a podcast a year ago called the Who’s Hoo Countdown, highlighting independent country artists from all over the globe. That is where the awards name originated, besides the link to the band’s name. The new awards event is a branch of the International Singers and Songwriters Association show near Atlanta and has been in the formative stages for more than two years.
Tickets are $50, which includes a post-awards concert with Jesse Keith Whitley and David Frizzell and a meet-and-greet with them afterward at The Crump Theater.
Lee has made the event distinct from other successful, independent music awards show by focusing purely on country artists, rather than those from all genres.
A pre-awards party is slated at 7 p.m. Friday at the Fraternal Order of Eagles Lodge No. 741 at 930 Washington St. Columbus native and country singer Jason Ray Welch of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, will enertain, and also will be presented with what will be called the Who-manitarian Award for his work to help those with substance abuse disorder recover.
Over the past few years, Lee has shown himself to be quite an event organizer and promoter, selling out separate concerts with TV’s “The Dukes of Hazzard” stars and singers John Schneider and Tom Wopat. Plus, he booked TV wildlife personality Ernie Brown Jr., known as Turtleman, and singer Barry Williams, who played Greg Brady on “The Brady Bunch” in back-to-back appearances that attracted a few thousand people for meet-and-greet sessions at Hope Heritage Days.
“I guess I go about things a little differently,” Lee said, adding that this may be the only such awards show in the Midwest. “And for some reason, it works. I do not know how to explain that.”
The visitors center has provided a grant of $6,000 for this initial year because the event is attracting overnight visitors. Lee said he would like to see the gathering grow from year to year as awareness builds.
Lee said the awards will include categories such as best female vocalist, male vocalist, country rising star, and album of the year. Some local businesses are sponsoring some of the categories and will have their name linked to the honor in order to spotlight local support, according to Lee.
Special By Design in Hope has created the crystal-like trophies for the winners. A judging panel comprised partly of Night Owl Country Band members will select winners.
Where to learn more
Post awards concert: Country veteran David Frizzell to entertain, Page D1 GO!
About the event
What: Inaugural Who’s Hoo Independent Country Music Awards
When: 2:30 p.m. Saturday (with a pre-party at 7 p.m. Friday at the Fraternal Order of Eagles on Washington Street).
Where: The Commons, 300 Washington St. in downtown Columbus.
Tickets: $50, available at nightowlcb.com or at the door.
