Photo courtesy of Joshua Adams Photography captures the moment when singer and songwriter Dawn Rix of West Virginia gave her acceptance speech after earning the Lifetime Achievement award at the 2023 Who’s Hoo Country Music Awards. This event stands out for those who love country music but are not fans of mainstream chart-toppers.

An Independent Music Extravaganza

The two-day program at The Commons, held on Friday and Saturday, showcases a diverse range of musical performances and awards in 16 different categories. Presented by the Night Owl Country Band, Who’s Hoo features independent country music artists from around the world. These musicians take pride in their compositions and performances, as they are not dictated by major record labels and corporate elements.There is a wide variety of genres used by independent country musicians, including honky-tonk, country-type rockabilly, western swing, Appalachian country, rodeo country, and even spaghetti and fantasy western. According to the Save Country Music website, most independent country has its roots firmly placed in traditional, old-school country.Starting at 7 p.m. on Friday, four musical acts will open the event. Three of the acts are Ernie “Sticktight” Akins from Kentucky, the Grace Scott Band from Logansport, and the event’s host, the Night Owl Country Band based in Columbus. Friday’s headliner will be the Louisville-based Arianna and the Bourbon Britches. This four-piece, all-female band was featured last September at the Hope Heritage Days and performs a mix of originals and covers.Originally, actor Jon Heder was scheduled for a celebrity meet and greet on Saturday afternoon. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, he had to cancel his appearance. Show organizer Matt Lee expressed his disappointment but assured that the event would still go on.On Saturday, the red carpet will roll out at 3:30 p.m. for the visiting independent musicians. Considered a branch award show of the International Singer-Songwriter’s Association, the music and award announcements will begin at 5 p.m.The “Who’s Hoo Country Music Awards” aims to recognize some of the best independent country music artists from around the globe. For example, Rowdy’s Rose, a married couple from the Waikato region of northern New Zealand, will be performing on Saturday. They played three shows last month in Nashville, Tennessee, and are nominated for six awards at Who’s Hoo. Another example is Caitlin Mae, the 2022 Entertainer of the Year who came to Columbus from Wales but has now permanently resided in Nashville.This year, awards will be given out in 16 categories. Some of the top awards, along with last year’s winners, include Best Male Vocalist (Ron A. McNeill), Best Female Vocalist (Brooke Butler), Musician of the Year (Pam Ross), Songwriter of the Year (Amy Jo), Album of the Year (Trent Prewitt: Highway to Me), and Lifetime Achievement (Dawn Rix).The judging criteria includes artist activity, followers, quality, and stage presence. A panel of eight judges will apply these criteria to select the winners.The proceeds from the event will go to the Landmark Columbus Foundation, an organization that cares for, celebrates, and advances the cultural heritage of Columbus and like-minded communities. Under the leadership of Executive Director Richard McCoy, Landmark Columbus has been a partner of the Who’s Hoo Country Music Awards since its inception. Lee praised McCoy, saying he is a fantastic guy, easy to work with, and a go-getter.The cost of attending the two-day music festival and award show is $50. However, those who bring a new toy for the Columbus Firemen’s Cheer Fund to the event will get their weekend pass for $25. Non-refundable tickets can be ordered online at whoshooawards.org. The lineup is subject to change based on the entertainer’s availability.