Austin Music Awards: 19 Years Old

Two things made this year notable for the 19th Music Poll. The first is the striking sweep of awards by Bob Schneider and the Scabs. The second is the presence of the Decade Awards. They bridge the gap with the proverbial passing of the torch almost literally from one generation to another.

Anyone who saw Joe Rockhead about 10 years ago could tell you Bob Schneider was a star in the making. From Rockhead to the Ugly Americans to the Scabs and Lonelyland, Schneider has demonstrated over the last decade that rarest of musical talents, showmanship. Audiences love a showman and the readers love Bob.

The Decade Awards add a fitting farewell to the Double Trouble-Storyville axis that dominated the Awards in the Nineties. Even without Storyville's presence last year, every member of the band placed highly in his Top Ten category in the annual awards, a testament to fan loyalty.

The Gourds, Vallejo, Yoggi Musgrove, the Barkers, Trish Murphy, and J.J. Johnson are among those stepping into the winners' circle this year. These folks are hardly newcomers on the scene and yet seeing them place prominently as well as win gives a fresh look to the poll.

First place winners do not a poll make, however, and it is important to look at the overall lists for the proper context. Sara Hickman, the Damnations TX, Ray Wylie Hubbard, and Ginger Mackenzie all turned in excellent showings in numerous categories, indicative of strong audience support.

It was also a year for the veteran performers outside the Decade Awards. Tommy & Charlene Hancock, Tina Marsh, Jon Dee Graham, James Polk, Ted Roddy, and the late Nash Hernandez are all inducted into the Hall of Fame this year, and the Hall's ranks swell with pride at their entries.

In with the old, in with the new. That's the way it was in the year 2000.