A Note From Our Editor:
When I founded Turnstyled Junkpiled in 2010, I opted to call it an ‘Americana Music Magazine.’ While eight years ago, Americana was the only genre that represented roots music, this is no longer the case. We appreciate the strides made by The Americana Music Association, but they rarely include hardcore country artists who play much of the music we love: honky tonk, outlaw country, western swing, and rockabilly. That music is represented by the Ameripolitan genre.
While we continue to cover Americana, we also cover Ameripolitan, a term that didn’t exist at our inception. In 2013 Dale Watson started the genre, and we greatly respect and appreciate his efforts in preserving and recognizing the aforementioned styles of music.
“The mainstream ignores all of this music,” Watson explains. “They think it’s oldies, and it ain’t. [In 2013], I started the Ameripolitan genre because I thought, We’re getting wet. We’re getting no love over here. We’re getting ignored, like an old violin that don’t work no more. Outlaw country, western swing, rockabilly, honky tonk, wasn’t represented by any genre.”
In order to encompass both genres, we have decided to call ourselves a Roots Music Magazine. This change is not intended to be negative, and we will continue to support Americana, but we are also proud Ameripolitan supporters.
The Ameripolitan Awards will take place February 25, 2019 in Memphis, Tennessee.
Team TJ will be there.
For more information visit: ameripolitan.com
– Courtney S. Lennon
Courtney S. Lennon
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