Honors, Performances and Reunion with Red Steagall Highlight Academy of Western Artists Celebration
NASHVILLE, TN — The Academy of Western Artists awarded their top honors for Western Music Male Artist of the Year to Rex Allen Jr. The presentation Thursday evening was the finale of the 21st Annual Will Rogers Awards on the campus of Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas.
Rex Allen Jr. credited his parents with the gift to sing and continued his acceptance speech with, “I am so happy Red Steagall is here to see this. You are a dear friend. Thank you to the AWA. My father would be so proud.”
It was a great ending to a busy weekend. Rex Allen Jr. sang for disc jockeys, fans and some of the most notable names in the genre on various stages leading up to a crowd pleasing version of his hit song, Last of the Silverscreen Cowboys.
Roy Clark was awarded a Living Legend award as winners were also announced in Pure Country and Western Swing music categories. The salute to western music and arts extended to include poets, artists, boot makers, saddle makers, spur makers and chuck wagon masters.
The timing for such recognition coincided with the release of Allen’s last all western album earlier this month. Garage Songs X, “This Is The Last Cowboy Song,” is available through CD Baby, Amazon and iTunes outlets. The recordings capture his golden voice with the yodels and echoes of the true western sound.