DAVID WINS A TEXAS MUSIC AWARD!

Photo courtesy of The Marshall News Messenger

Chatting about fly fishing in Colorado with Michael Martin Murphy would have been enough. Hearing BJ Thomas talk about my song would have been plenty. Just being there was an honor. But those thrills were only a prelude to my utter astonishment at receiving this amazing Texas Music Award, chosen by the Academy of Texas Music for only one TX artist:

The Founders Award for Artistic Excellence, recognizing last year’s release Big Top: Vol. 1 & 2.
“The founders of the Texas Music Awards bestow awards in various categories each year based on criteria outside the traditional voting process. Our deserving Academy member this year is DAVID LUTES for his amazing release, BIG TOP. Please join us in congratulating David … this is a project worthy of your attention!
- The Academy of Texas Music (Official TMA Program Notes)

Wow. I still can’t believe it. I need to talk this out. Here’s a better version of my acceptance speech…Thanks to the Academy, and thank you all for your support, encouragement, thoughts, and prayers throughout the years. You all have sustained my career and helped make this happen. AND special thanks to my friends and Big Top cohorts: co-producer, Boo Macleod; art director, Jon Patillo; percussion/drummer/mixing genius, Dony Wynn; and musicians - Tom Benton, Brady Muckleroy, Lloyd Maines, Rich Bowden, Kullen Fuchs, Manny Yanes, Whit Williams, Larry Schooler, David Breeding, and the lovely, BettySoo. This simply wouldn’t have happened without your amazing talents and contributions to the album. And, finally, to God and to my wonderfully supportive family, and, especially, my wife, Carolyn, and daughter, Ruby. - thank you! Frankly, I wouldn’t be playing music at all without your unfailing love and support. I make music because I love it and know that I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing. However, music’s made to be heard; so there are few things more affirming as a musician than to know that folks are listening and that your peers are saying, simply, “good job.”

I also got to perform with Jessica Shepherd - which was a blast and went off beautifully as the closer for the first half of the show. From The Marshall News Messenger: “The Texas Music Awards, Saturday at the Marshall Convention Center, brought performers, writers and radio personalities from across the state to honor each other and the creative force of genuine Texas music…Performances were phenomenal…including David Lutes with Jessica Shepherd, Michael Martin Murphy, the Shake Russell Trio and Blue Condition.”

SO, LET’S CELEBRATE WITH A SPECIAL AUSTIN SHOW!
david joins a legendary in-the-round this Wednesday
Join me this Wed. 5/19 at 8pm (7pm reception)! I have the honor of playing a unique “in-the-round” with some more TX music giants. Connie Mims (2009 TX Singer-Songwriter of the Year, Wheatfield), Dennis Welch (Austin songwriter and ASG boardmember), Lee Duffy (TX/Austin legend: Geezinslaw Brothers, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson), and I will be swapping songs and stories starting at 8pm at the Austin Songwriters Group headquarters at 3105 Manchaca Road, Austin TX 78704. Come early for a reception next door at 7pm with wine and munchies. $10 at the door for a full evening with some amazingly talented and heralded folks.