Ameripolitan Awards Rally Past the Anchor of Mojo Nixon’s Foul Mouth
WARNING: LANGUAGE
This story has been updated (see below)
Once again the Ameripolitan Awards, founded by Dale Watson, and championed by many hard working individuals and artists wanting to shine a spotlight on under-appreciated but highly-deserving roots music, was a rousing success, and included memorable performances, a slickly-produced presentation including pre-prepared multimedia vignettes highlighting the history of the music, and one of the best house bands that could ever be assembled.
Moved from a hotel convention hall where it took place its inaugural year to the historic and stately Paramount Theatre in downtown Austin, a gravity that was lacking from last year’s otherwise stellar presentation was now present in the room, and it also facilitated a wider crowd to be able to partake in the festivities. With the expansive seating in the mezzanine and balcony, the event did not go sold out, but it did fill up solidly.
A run down of the night’s entire festivities including winners can be found on the LIVE blog, but some of the highlights were performances by Rosie Flores who was dubbed the “Queen of Ameripolitan” after walking away as the biggest winner at the inaugural ceremony in 2014, Amber Digby and The Cactus Blossoms putting on excellent performances, Ray Benson playing “Miles and Miles of Texas” with the entire crowd singing along, the amazing Gloria Miers of the Legends of Western Swing Festival coming out to accept her award, and Dale Watson singing Merle Haggard songs with guitar legend and Ameripolitan recipient James Burton.
Unfortunately it was difficult night for the press to cover, as an appropriate location really hadn’t been cordoned off to accommodate some who had come even from overseas for the event, but it’s somewhat understandable in such an old theatre and with such a big audience in attendance. However one oversight that was completely predictable, and highly inappropriate was the appointment once again of SiriusXM DJ Mojo Nixon as the Master of Ceremonies.

Last year Mojo Nixon came out and immediately established that hard cussing was going to be a seminal part of the presentation. “I’m hotter than two foxes fucking in a forest fire!” he screamed, and then started making light of the fact that he was cussing by more cussing. With the amount of older patrons, and straight-laced country fans in the audience, I have to say I was really surprised the decision was made to take the presentation in that direction. But this was Ameripoiltan’s maiden voyage, and I was willing to see where it led before passing judgement on the Mojo Nixon involvement, or anything else.
As the night proceeded, the cussing became even more pronounced if that was at all possible, until you felt folks were cussing just because they felt they could. Mojo had opened the floodgates, but then Dale Watson, the presenters, the performers, everyone was letting the swear words fly as if there weren’t children, the 80-something widow of Ralph Mooney, and many Christians in the audience. It was like they were completely misjudging their own Ameripolitan demographic.
During and after the inaugural Ameripoitan show, Saving Country Music, simply by reporting on the festivities, received many complaints from patrons about the cussing, and from what was understood by the Saving Country Music camp, it had become a big controversy post-presentation. Dozens of people, many whom had paid good money and donated to the crowdfunding effort were very displeased at the disrespectful tone the presentation took as time wore on.
While reporting from the event, I had made an audio recording with a handheld device simply for my own reference. But in lieu of a broadcast or recording, I asked if I could post it online for folks who couldn’t make it to the event in person. I was told by the Ameripolitan publicist that under no circumstances should I post the audio because all of the hard cussing had angered sponsors, some of the most high-tone donors, and many others in the crowd, and it was a controversy they were trying to douse.
That’s why this year I was greatly surprised to see Mojo Nixon named once again as MC, along with SiriusXM’s Elizabeth Cook. But maybe they had told him to tone it back. When Mojo took the stage for the 2015 show, if anything, he ratcheted the inapropriate language up yet another notch. It was one “fuck” and “motherfucker” after another delivered with absolutely no affiliation to what was actually happening with the awards, including many of the same canned lines recycled from the previous year, specifically the “I’m hotter than two foxes fucking in a forest fire!” line.
We’re not talking George Carlin here. Mojo Nixon presented himself an ignorant, indolent blowhard, uncaring of anyone else’s ideas of what was appropriate in the presentation, completely unknowledgeable of the crowd he was speaking to, and simply machine gunning out cuss words from a lack of anything of entertainment or intellectual value to shovel out of his sewer hole. On multiple occasions you could physically count the people leaving their seats for good with their possessions in hand halfway through the presentation after being abhorred by Mojo Nixon.
Making it one level worse, Mojo taunted anyone who may have trouble with what he was saying. “They told me not to say fuck, but fuck those motherfuckers.”
And frankly, I’m not even sure if Mojo Nixon is to blame. The Ameripolitan organizers knew what they were getting involved with, especially after last year’s performance. For all the rhetoric about respecting the roots of the music, if you have absolutely no clue who makes up your demographic to be so blinded to how the actions of one blowhard craving attention could be so damaging, then it brings into question the level of respect of the roots that is truly present. Blake Shelton would have been a more appropriate emcee than Mojo Nixon and his big bag of nothing.
And to make matters worse, he was awarded with the Ameripolitan DJ award, which he quickly stuck between his legs like a penis, and started prancing around stage with. As a 14-year-old boy I would have been turned off by Mojo’s level of maturity, and the only reason, the only reason, I did not shout Mojo down from my humble perch in a mezzanine-level vomitorium after Mojo vamped for 30 seconds with nothing but rehashed cuss words like a adolescent boy enamored with himself from the foulness coming from his mouth, was out of respect for Dale Watson and the Paramount Theatre.
Whatever good Ameripolitan has been able to sow through their two awards shows, it has been docked in two measures by Mojo Nixon’s involvement. It is beyond all that such a gross miscalculation and oversight was made by bringing him back. But this is one of the concerns you see about Ameripolitan, that it’s a club of the “who you know,” and since SiriusXM seems tied at the hip to the organization, Mojo Nixon seems to be bulletproof in their eyes, with plenty of people to rally behind him and make his detractors out as prudes who just don’t understand. I can’t speak for Mojo’s radio show, and that’s one of the things about SiriusXM that can be so frustrating, that everyone who has SiriusXM just assumes everyone else has SiriusXM and is up to speed on all the doings there. But Mojo Nixon as a master of ceremonies brings a sum negative to the table that will have long-term caustic consequences to Ameripolitan cause.
And I’m sure Mojo or some others will chuckle to themselves, or say that Mojo’s involvement is paying off in spades because it keeps people talking, but Ameripolitan is not on sure enough footing to be working under these speculative pretenses. The name is too controversial, the scope is too narrow, and Dale Watson himself is too polarizing to be giving detractors such easy fuel to their fires. Really, a lot of this concern comes down to money. If the donations and other efforts by individuals are going towards something that is inappropriate, then maybe there is a more appropriate avenue for those funds aside from an awards show hijacked by a blowhard personality.
I, as the proprietor of Saving Country Music have nothing but respect for Dale Watson, and anyone who takes up the cause to shine a spotlight on worthy roots artists, no matter what the approach is, and I commend Ameripolitan and everyone involved for their efforts. Mojo’s inappropriate behavior should not overshadow all the positive from the event, but the simple fact is that it did for many many folks, and it has hurt Ameripolitan by a measurable degree moving forward.
The errant ‘F’ bomb here and there can be funny, effective, and sometimes frankly, necessary. But Mojo Nixon’s superfluous foul-mouthedness was not appropriate in that context, and this is coming from someone who arguably has published some of the most salacious language ever seen in print in the country music world this side of David Allan Coe’s XXX albums, though I’m sure this fact will be grossly overlooked by Mojo’s knee jerk supporters.
And if Mojo Nixon and Ameripolitan want to laugh this all off again, and no doubt Mojo has a bigger bullhorn than Saving Country Music, then so be it. But it will be at the expense of all the excellent artists and hard working behind-the-scenes folks who put their heart and soul into this effort. It is a shame it takes someone having to address this issue so publicly, but apparently the dozens, maybe hundreds of complaints about Mojo have so far gone completely unheard. This is not about Mojo Nixon or even cussing. It’s about knowing who your people are, and showing them respect.
The goal of any awards show is to produce moments that people will remember for years to come. The inaugural Ameripolitan event had more of these moments than you can count. The 2015 awards had a few of them as well. But the involvement of Mojo Nixon really sullied the experience for many of Ameripolitan’s most fervent champions.
– – – – – – – –
***UPDATE (5:45 PM CST): Dale Watson has posted on his Facebook page this afternoon:
Okay Folks, The Second Annual Ameripolitan Awards is over.
Thank you Thank you Thank you!!! It was a hugely successful night!That said, it did provide us with more lessons on how to make next years show even better. ( put the Ameripolitan house band members name in the program )…….
We want to thank Sirius/XM’s Elizabeth Cook and Mojo Nixon for hosting this year and all the support they’ve given Ameripolitan Music since it’s birth. So what’s the big news today we would like to share??
We are VERY proud to announce our host for the 2016 Ameripolitan Award Show………Mr……………………………………………RAY BENSON!!!!!
February 18, 2015 @ 1:36 pm
Mojo is an ass clown. As one of the original XM subscribers, XM/Sirius lost my business because I couldn’t tolerate his personality – not necessarily his language – but because he has nothing of substance to say and tries to mask that being loud and obnoxious. I will never support anything he’s associated with.
February 18, 2015 @ 2:38 pm
I know for some it may seem like splitting hairs, but if you take a foul-mouthed comic like George Carlin for example, there’s a means to an end. I’m not saying sometimes there’s not a means to an end with Mojo, but if there was one last night, I sure couldn’t see it.
February 24, 2015 @ 11:12 pm
George Carlin may have had a foul mouth, yet it was effective and he was an extremely intelligent man. Mr. Nixon’s incessant screaming into the mic is why I cannot and refuse to listen during his shift.
February 18, 2015 @ 3:57 pm
i agree with this completely i loved the old x country with jessie scott show, i cant listen to mojo.
February 18, 2015 @ 1:48 pm
I’m a fan of Mojo’s radio show because I think it’s funny and I love the music. With that being said, he only talks once every 15 minutes. It’s easy for him to put in a few funny comments inbetween songs, and offer funny insight as to what is going on in the world. Under no circumstances would I want to hear him talk at length about anything. I agree, Jared, that he lacks substance; especially in regards to the music industry. He gets to interview great acts all the time, yet every interview is horribly done. I’d rather listen to any other DJ on Outlaw interview an artist.
In short, thanks for the article and for covering the awards. I like Mojo in very short snippets, but anything longer than a minute or two is too long in my book.
February 18, 2015 @ 2:37 pm
If you tune into Mojo’s radio show, you know what to expect. And if you don’t like it, you can turn it off. People didn’t come to The Ameripolitan Awards last night to see Mojo Nixon, with all due respect to him. They came to see Amber Digby, Johnny Bush, Ray Benson, and a bunch of other artists who tend to appeal to older folks and more straight-laced folks who may not be turned off by the occasional cuss work, but don’t want t hear it over and over, and then get chastised for finding it offensive.
I don’t want to censor Mojo Nixon or anyone. He did his job. The question is, why was he there’s especially after it being such a big issue last year?
February 18, 2015 @ 3:58 pm
You nailed it. That is exactly right. I worked hard for two years promoting this Ameripolitan thing. Then when you go to the awards you feel like you are disrespected by all the vulgarity and profanity for no reason at all. I forgave them for last year. Not sure about this year. I need some kind of an apology from this outfit. If I had been a donor I would really have been upset. Sad part.. there was tons of great music there but tainted by this offensiveness.
February 18, 2015 @ 9:22 pm
Nick your comments nailed. I really enjoy Mojo’s radio show mainly because of the music he plays. I really don’t understand why he has to try and be so obnoxious. In snippets it’s just barely tolerable but no way should he be the emcee at such a show as this. It’s really sad that he feels he needs to do this because he does know his music but his obnoxious radio persona really is ridiculous.
February 18, 2015 @ 2:06 pm
I’m not a child, I’m not particularly “religious,” and I’m certainly not Ralph Mooney’s widow, but this is just in poor taste.
February 18, 2015 @ 3:08 pm
You mean to tell me that they could have had Elizabeth Cook, but they settled for this idiot?
February 18, 2015 @ 3:20 pm
Excellent article and well written. As a volunteer/sponsor for the awards, my company created the poster for the event and designed all the animated graphics for the screen. I flew from Florida to be at the show and left early cause I couldn’t take Nixon’s crudeness any longer. The friends I brought were disgusted as well. I’m a friend of Dale’s. I flew out a few months ago to shoot promo videos with him to help tell people about Ameripolitan music and the cause. I’m shocked they would allow Nixon to represent or destroy the brand we’re all trying to build. The roots of this music include a variety of backgrounds. Nixon offended every one of them. I can assure you, as much as I love Dale Watson and Ameripolitan, I won’t be involved again if Nixon is next year. I don’t want my company associated with that crudeness and classlessness. Respect those in attendance. Respect families and children attending. Respect those with actual values. Respect the artists who tirelessly created the amazing music we all gather to celebrate. I might not respect the new country sound but they would never let a trainwreck like Nixon near their stage. Unfortunately, people will associate Ameripolitan with foul language, immature jokes and lack of respect. Hopefully we can disassociate with Nixon and work to repair the brand and keep the movement moving forward. Thanks again for your real coverage of the event and all your efforts.
February 18, 2015 @ 7:55 pm
Good points. Your comments made me think that whether his radio show or the awards show, Nixon tries to make himself part of the show. The audience for both are much more interested in the music rather than a shock jock.
February 18, 2015 @ 3:29 pm
Damn, Bastard, and Sumabitch are still bad, but acceptable. Motherfucker, fuck, shit, bitch, and so on and so for are not cool. Its unfortunate that this is the direction it took.
February 18, 2015 @ 3:55 pm
Shame about that guy, considering how much I’ve liked some of his songs in the past — “Elvis is Everywhere,” “Girlfriend in a Coma,” “Don Henley Must Die,” “Debbie Gibson is Pregnant With My Two-Headed Love Child,” “UFOs, Big Rigs and BBQ,” “This Land is Your Land,” “You Can’t Kill Me,” etc.
But yeah, this story does make me wonder about the Ameripolitan crowd and the image it really wants to project…
February 18, 2015 @ 4:10 pm
I was there last night, and I agree with everything you say, Trigger. The evening would have been much more enjoyable and professional if Elizabeth and Dallas had done the MCing. Or just Elizabeth herself. The music was great, though!
February 18, 2015 @ 4:30 pm
Dale Watson just posted on Facebook that Ray Benson will host next year.
February 18, 2015 @ 4:46 pm
Thanks!
February 18, 2015 @ 4:42 pm
My take on gratuitous “four-letter words” and other generic profanity is much like my attitude on “outlaw country” and marijuana hype.
I’m not abjectly opposed to its use, and I also don’t view it as endemic to the decay of civilization. But I can’t help but laugh riotously while rolling my eyes as to how many attribute the open use of profanity to being a rebel or “telling it like it is” or being independent-minded.
If anything, dropping generic profanity every other line is about as predictable and conformist as you can get this day in age. Have you not seen a standard PG-13 and above Hollywood film of most any genre? Or watched any given Comedy Central program over the past two decades? Or even simply saunter down a typical middle or high school hallway? It’s about as rebellious and outlaw as gravy in chicken pot pie.
When I hear people ignite an F-bomb in the context I described above, I find myself just folding my arms, giving a slight smirk and respond: “……………what else you got?”
If you want to be a real rebel or trailblazer, pick up a dictionary and expand your word bank.
February 19, 2015 @ 6:18 am
Respect, self-respect and respect for others, have become the exception rather than rule. If anyone wants to be non-conformists, they should give good old fashioned respect a try.
February 19, 2015 @ 8:53 am
I’m not a prude or overly-sensitive by any means, and have engaged in the use of foul language more often than I’d like to admit at various time in my life. It’s understandable that these words slip out from time to time due to pain, frustration, or anger. And these words are a part of everyday life in many parts of society, so a book or film involving characters from that segment of humanity wouldn’t be as believable without them. And as stated, foul language can be used for humorous effect in venues where the listener/viewer/reader should have a reasonable expectation of being exposed to it.
But I’ve come to believe that, when preparing statements ahead of time for consumption by the general public at large, if you feel like you have to use expletives to make your point you probably don’t have much of a point to make anyway. And if you don’t have much of a point to make, you’re probably better off just keeping your mouth shut.
JMHO.
February 19, 2015 @ 2:40 pm
I acknowledge the former portion of your point myself, and that’s precisely why I prefaced my sticking point with mentioning how I don’t even see anything wrong from the generalized mundane practice of it: mostly from frustration.
This is where self-awareness is key. Because let’s face it: besides being a synonym of having sex or being screwed (in any context), the F-word (I say F-word here not because I’m a politically correct prude but because this site attempts to be accessible to a general audience so choose to refrain from open usage)…………..it is ultimately nothing more than an intensifier. A tautology of sorts with the mere purpose of bold-facing and dramatizing an existing set of words.
And trust me: we all fall victim to the lazy usage of intensifiers. A friend of mine pointed out the other day how words like “honestly” and “truthfully”, as well as “to be honest” and to a lesser extent “in fact”, are often used lazily without any purpose but as a logical fallacy to appeal to authority. And I realized I’ve lazily used any combination of those phrases previously, and am glad I caught myself, just as I will catch myself with other tautologies.
So I get why profanity exists and some of the contexts it is used. But when you have the exact same four-letter words being substituted for most any other words as both a noun, verb and adjective in everyday discourse, then we have a serious issue.
February 19, 2015 @ 2:53 pm
Don’t forget my favorite inappropriately used intensifier: “literally”.
Did the guy who “literally” crapped his pants have spare clothes to change into or did he have to waller in his feces until he got home? Did the guy who was “literally” dying of thirst have to go to the hospital to get re-hydrated? And how about the guy who “literally” blew his top? Who cleaned up the mess?
February 18, 2015 @ 4:50 pm
Ameripolitan is a phony genre that endorses and supports cronyism to produce a sham award show.
No one was nominated for making a great album or for excellent production value – just for existing. No one won anything last night based on merit – instead “votes” off the internet and whoever Dale wanted to come to his party was enough; as evidenced by handing out awards followed by performances from the same people who just won the award. That’s cronyism at its finest!
And why have a national award show if you’re just going to award those who can show up? 7 out 12 artist awards went to Austin performers! Last time I checked the city already has a pretty respected local music award show.
Sorry your feelings are hurt by the word Country, Dale, but I’m NEVER supporting or calling it Ameripolitan. Guess what? NO ONE who won last night says they play Ameripolitan music either. Win-Win.
February 18, 2015 @ 7:14 pm
I love the Outlaw Country XM station. I hate Mojo Nixon and hate isn’t too strong a word. I turn off the channel the second I hear his voice. I hate his whole shtick even when he doesn’t swear and cuss.
February 18, 2015 @ 7:22 pm
I’m in the same boat as many in regard to Mojo Nixon. When I hear him, it’s time to head over to Willie’s Place or Bluegrass Junction. Can’t believe anyone would allow someone with mental age of 8 to host once much less twice. Ray Benson will be a great host, as would have Elizabeth Cook on her own.
February 18, 2015 @ 7:31 pm
Mojo Nixon presented himself an ignorant, indolent blowhard
You mean that isn’t who he really is? 😀
Never liked that guy. They should’ve gotten Dallas Wayne or Elizabeth Cook.
February 18, 2015 @ 7:48 pm
Mojo Nixon is in long need of a good, ungrounded microphone and a bucket of water to stand in.
February 18, 2015 @ 8:24 pm
This is BS! How can anyone that claims to enjoy americana music disrespect Mojo Nixon? If you don’t like Mojo, then go to a Lee Greenwood, Toby Keith or a Rascal Flatts concert, where you won’t have to worry about “foul language” or “cussing.” Maybe some of you would be better suited at a Christian “rock” show at some scandalous mega church, or better yet, a Ku Klux Klan rally, where narrow-minded morons feel more comfortable.
February 18, 2015 @ 8:45 pm
“If you don”™t like Mojo, then go to a Lee Greenwood, Toby Keith or a Rascal Flatts concert.”
Or maybe a Ray Benson, Amber Digby, Cactus Blossoms, Johnny Bush, Rosie Flores concert.
February 18, 2015 @ 9:21 pm
Definitely don’t want to go to a Hank III show if you don’t want to hear fowl language.
February 18, 2015 @ 9:29 pm
Hank3 wasn’t playing. Traditional country and Western Swing artists were playing. Nobody went there to see Mojo Nixon. Apples and bowling balls.
February 19, 2015 @ 8:57 am
Heck, I’ve been to a few David Allan Coe shows and have never heard anything stronger than a “damn”.
February 19, 2015 @ 5:29 am
Having a bit of decency, self respect, and respect for others makes one a narrow-minded moron?
February 19, 2015 @ 6:24 am
The reductio ad Ku Klux Klanum means that you lose the argument.
February 19, 2015 @ 7:09 am
The errant ”˜F”™ bomb here and there can be funny, effective, and sometimes frankly, necessary. But Mojo Nixon”™s superfluous foul-mouthedness was not appropriate in that context, and this is coming from someone who arguably has published some of the most salacious language ever seen in print in the country music world this side of David Allan Coe”™s XXX albums,though I”™m sure this fact will be grossly overlooked by Mojo”™s knee jerk supporters
Yes, indeed.
February 19, 2015 @ 7:27 am
Why is hating Mojo Nixon and enjoying Americana music mutually exclusive? What has Mojo done for Americana music? His music career consisted mostly of novelty type songs. I don’t equate Weird Al with Americana even though I would rather listen to Weird Al over Mojo.
Hating Mojo Nixon isn’t like saying you hate Willie Nelson.
February 18, 2015 @ 8:31 pm
I think you’re all being extremely uptight and you need to just get the fuck over it. Also, Trigger, learn to edit. The writing here was like that of a 9th grader assigned to write a “manifesto” for their AP rhetoric class.
February 18, 2015 @ 10:59 pm
He makes clear, concise, and legitimate points as to why he feels this way. He’s not just doing it to look for attention or page clicks. Many of the people there and who are fans of this kind of music are more straight laced individuals and it’s disrespectful to them to speak that way, considering that they’re Ameripolitan’s (I hate that word) main constituents and supporters. Plus, from what I gather, there were many children in the audience, and unless there was a disclaimer that the presentation was for adults only, that’s pretty much unforgivable.
February 23, 2015 @ 11:59 am
You mean like when you use a plural pronoun (their) for a singular noun (9th grader)?
February 18, 2015 @ 8:53 pm
I am not surprised by the reports of Mojo. He is over the top. I stopped listening to his show on SiriusXM for a while, then I realized I should avoid his show when kids are in the car. I wouldn’t want him as MC, but I didn’t mastermind the awards which seem (from 1200 miles away) to be fantastic. I think the national/global perception is important too. Dale gets great airplay on SiriusXM and Mojo’s show, which btw is on the drive home.
Mojo was chosen as MC. He is a character, not an idiot. If you listen carefully to his show, between his ridiculous outbursts, he does sneak substance in. But he masks it with his character. Not everybody’s cup of tea. But he is doing something right. Elizabeth Cook bothered me at first too, but now I like her. It is about giving an artist a chance, and yes they are both artists.
It is okay to have an edge, in contrast to the homogenized music Ameripolitan fans tend to avoid. Keep that in perspective.
I can only imagine this article is 100% spot on with the awkwardness. I am not trying to defend Mojo, there is no need. Mojo brought art, like it or hate it. I am not a huge Mojo fan, but I am a listener. He puts on a good radio show. I would absolutely be tired of him as mc. Mojo brought Mojo, what was he supposed to bring?
February 18, 2015 @ 9:09 pm
Unfortunately the way SiriusXM Outlaw quoted me out of context on Facebook, it makes me look like I was on a witch hunt for Mojo. As I explained above, his involvement was a controversy last year. People walked out. Sponsors complained. So Ameripolitan must have known what they were getting into this year. Mojo was being Mojo. Unfortunately I don’t have satellite radio so I can’t speak on his show.
February 18, 2015 @ 10:15 pm
Trigger,
I think your article is great! I just mean to add color.
Cheers!
February 18, 2015 @ 11:32 pm
I appreciate your perspective and insight Bruce.
February 18, 2015 @ 9:00 pm
Another reason to listen to Willie’s Roadhouse on SiriusXM…the music is good, the personalities fun and knowledgable, and best of all, no Mojo Nixon.
February 18, 2015 @ 9:23 pm
I have never heard of Mojo Nixon, but it seems he would be better suited as a presenter. Let him come out, do his little shock and awe character skit and move on. 2-3 hours of him hosting seems overboard.
I swear a lot and don’t have a problem with cussing, but a public setting like an awards show should probably be a little more tame. Save the cussing for the bar rooms or honky tonks or radio shows.
Instead of talking about the performers or their songs, the focus is on the potty mouths of the host and some presenters and that should be what the Ameripolitan movement should be going AGAINST.
February 18, 2015 @ 9:27 pm
Absolutely agree…very well-written article. I’m sorry you had to write it, but I’m glad you did. It was a glittering, heartfelt show last night overall and, as noted, there were a few really wonderful moments, musical and otherwise. Elizabeth Cook and many others did their best to keep things appropriate, but it’s sad that Mojo’s needs overshadowed them all. I couldn’t believe how badly Mojo presented himself…his shock-rock, narcissistic, immature approach, while a little funny at first, wore everyone out after 15 minutes and yes, it reflected badly on the awards as a whole (which should not be allowed to happen). Sitting behind the family of one of the “Keeper of the Key” winners, I was ashamed that this winner’s children, and their grandmother, had to listen to Mojo’s ridiculousness for four hours and that a ten-year-old girl had to watch him jump around pretending the Ameriopolitan award was his penis. SHAME ON HIM.
February 18, 2015 @ 10:15 pm
Bottom line…No audio, no video of the show, but people are taliking. Looking good for Dale and Co. next year with Ray Benson at the helm. Pretty smart if you ask me! It stinks that Mojo’s schtick got in the way of an amazing idea and opportunity to shine a brighter light on these acts, but perhaps an even bigger spotlight is waiting in the future. Thanks for all of your hard work Trigger. You don’t F*&ck around!
February 18, 2015 @ 11:07 pm
I’m wondering if everyone is against Mojo HOW did he ever win DJ of the year. As I said in my comment last night that Eddie Stubbs knows everything there is to know about the history of the songs he plays on the radio. He can list musicians, dates & where it was recorded off the top of his head. Not only is he an awesome DJ he is also a musician. Woody Adkins was also up for DJ of the year. Woody doesn’t need a gimmick to have a loyal fan base. His interviews are professional. I can’t understand how Mojo could win over Eddie or Woody.
February 19, 2015 @ 2:31 am
Look. You hire Mojo, you get Mojo. If you’re shocked at what happened:
a) read Buzzfeed. That stuff’s MADE just for you.
b) listen to the Eagles
c) repeat
February 19, 2015 @ 9:09 am
I agree if you hire Mojo, you get Mojo. But somehow if you’re shocked at what happened that means you read Buzzfeed and like The Eagles??? That is absolutely positively ridiculous, and shows how completely misinformed Mojo fans are, fueled by SiriusXM Outlaw taking a quote of mine completely out of context, creating unnecessary conflict. The people who were shocked at what happened were traditional country fans. That’s why they were at the Ameripolitan awards. Buzzfeed and The Eagles? Read the story.
February 20, 2015 @ 7:27 am
Looks like the Mojo Nixon fanbots are rallying to his support. I knew people like Taylor Swift had fanbots that always jump in to defend her honor but I didn’t know Mojo Nixon had them as well.
February 20, 2015 @ 8:29 am
I don’t have Satellite radio, but I read that Facebook post out of curiousity. It’s almost as if they’re using it as advertising for Mojo. Interestingly, I would say that only a small minority of commenters were coming to his defense. There’s a fair amount of “when his show starts, I change the station” type comments, too.
February 20, 2015 @ 9:03 am
Yes, even among Mojo’s home crowd, there seems to be more dislike than defense of him. And not to start a whole Shooter Jennings conversation, but a few months back they posted something from him and it was the same thing. It’s like they don’t have their finger on the pulse of what their subscribers really want to listen to. That said, Elizabeth Cook seems to be beloved, and Dallas Wayne is one of the most respected country DJ’s you can find. It very well could be that Mojo is an anchor on SiriusXM Outlaw as well.
And for the record, I’ve always had respect for Mojo as an artist, and still do. I get it. I just don’t get using him as the face or mouthpiece of any organization. He’s the jester.
February 20, 2015 @ 8:01 pm
Had never heard of ameripolitan awards. Now I have because mojo is a foul mouthed dancing monkey. He did his job he got attention.
February 19, 2015 @ 10:02 am
Anything new them Eagles do is better than their last . . .
February 19, 2015 @ 7:08 am
For once I’m happy to see all the negative backlash regarding Mojo’s MC skills. It goes to show that yes, there are still people who care about what someone else says in public. I’m all for free speech, but not when it takes on a tone of total disregard for decency and good manners. A sad point about the whole thing is that Mojo Nixon, like him or not, is a fairly well-informed and knowledgeable person. It puzzles me as to why he presents himself in this “shock-jock” personna that seems to be compounding in strength as time goes on. The country-esque side of the music business as I see it still wants to maintain some sense of traditional respect for people, family values, holding doors open for ladies and general human kindness. There’s too much anger in the world that we have to face every day, we shouldn’t have to see it exposed in, especially, this type of forum that many of us value as one of the last strongholds of peace and goodwill. And no, I am not a religious person, just a guy who appreciates traditions.
February 19, 2015 @ 7:14 am
Good article- I’d have it proofread next time though- sew for sow? Abhored? Hm. I don’t mind the cussing- I do mind that Mojo isn’t really that funny most of the time. Any of the other outlaw DJ’a cuss appropriately, we’ll I appreciate it for what it is. Him? Just loud and stupid. Can Elizabeth Cook host next time? She’s funny. I want to see her!
February 19, 2015 @ 9:06 am
Yes, a 20-paragraph article and let’s focus in on a misplaced vowel. Unfortunately, proofreaders cost money, which is an asset I don’t possess. Elizabeth Cook actually hosted this time with Mojo and did fine. Ray Benson is hosting next time, so it looks like the problem is solved.
February 19, 2015 @ 9:10 am
Speaking of proofreading……… I think that should be “DJ’s” rather than “DJ’a” and “well” instead of “we’ll”.
Just thought you’d want to know since you appear to be into that kind of thing.
February 19, 2015 @ 7:36 am
I knew when he came out in that clown suit we were in for a less than stellar performance and that he had no respect for the performers or his audience. As a former teacher I know there are some kids that will do literally anything for attention and I would place this talentless wonder in that category. The only thing missing was to trot out that other clown Kanye to cap off the evening. But, the music was great and I know Ray will be the perfect choice for next year.
February 19, 2015 @ 8:41 am
This is so weak, throw Mojo under the bus by after he hosts your fledgling awards show for free and promotes it on satellite radio for two years. I doubt the precious sponsors had a problem with any of that. Mojo is completely capable of toning it down, he has done plenty of profanity-free shows at festivals over the years. The organizers obviously want it both ways, to be “outlaws” but if somebody gets upset we’ll insta-hire Ray Benson.
February 19, 2015 @ 8:49 am
Being less well-known than Bobby Bones is enough to make anybody cuss.
Motherfucker.
February 19, 2015 @ 9:07 am
I remember when Mojo Nixon was funny, back in the ’80s when he was doing music with Skid Roper. He was plenty obnoxious, but I don’t remember any foul language.
February 19, 2015 @ 10:28 am
Cussing? Maybe the CMA’s are more you guys speed, no profanity there. Or better yet just enjoy music instead of obsessing over imaginary awards
February 19, 2015 @ 11:34 am
I have now seen people who had a problem with Mojo’s cussing compared to fans of Rascal Flatts, Toby Keith, The Eagles, the CMA’s, and Buzzfeed of all places. Have any of these people stopped to think that maybe the people who had a problem with the cussing were fans of Johnny Bush, Amber Digby, Ray Benson, and the other artists that these people paid their hard-earned money to see and actually performed at the Ameripolitan Awards? You couldn’t be illustrating a more grossly ignorant perspective at what transpired Tuesday night. It was traditional country and Western Swing for traditional country fans. That is why Mojo Nixon and his mouth were completely inappropriate.
February 19, 2015 @ 12:23 pm
Who are you to decide what”™s appropriate or who the event was for? The organizers of the event wanted Mojo Nixon to host. In fact they liked him so much the first year that they asked him back the next. Maybe you should be whining about Dale Watson instead.
February 19, 2015 @ 12:55 pm
I’m a critic. It’s my job. But I’m not “deciding” on anything, I’m just giving my opinion, and reporting what happened, which was dozens of people walked out and didn’t come back because of Mojo Nixon’s foul language.
“The organizers of the event wanted Mojo Nixon to host. In fact they liked him so much the first year that they asked him back the next. Maybe you should be whining about Dale Watson instead.”
And once again, because SiriusXM Outlaw quoted me out of context, you didn’t see that I said this very thing.
Quote from above:
“And frankly, I”™m not even sure if Mojo Nixon is to blame. The Ameripolitan organizers knew what they were getting involved with, especially after last year”™s performance.”
February 19, 2015 @ 5:23 pm
Way to go Rosie!!!MOJO they Talking bout YOU!!
February 19, 2015 @ 7:54 pm
@Trigger, I like Ray Benson, Amber Digby, Cactus Blossoms, Johnny Bush, Rosie Flores, It’s Lee Greenwood, Toby Keith and Rascal Flatts that suck!
February 20, 2015 @ 1:58 pm
I’m pretty sure you missed the point he was trying to make. That being, there are plenty of acts a person can see that don’t suck – such as Ray Benson, Amber Digby, Cactus Blossoms, Johnny Bush, Rosie Flores – where you could pretty much be assured of not hearing a bunch of gratuitous expletives.
And I’m not so sure that you won’t hear a few F-bombs and other assorted curse words at a Toby Keith show.
Final point, don’t knock Lee Greenwood unless you’ve seen him live. I’ve never been much of a fan of his music, but I saw him years ago at a county fair (got a pair of comp tickets) and he put on one of the best live shows I’ve seen. Of course, that was 25 years ago so he may have lamed up his show since then.
February 20, 2015 @ 3:55 pm
Artists don’t just make it to the top for no reason. I have to admit that even artists who I can’t stand–Tony Orlando, Barry Manilow, and no-doubt Lee Greenwood–have a lot of talent and know how to put on a good show.
February 20, 2015 @ 8:05 am
Could not agree more. Came all the way from Canada for the show, this fella is a self absorbed asshole of the highest order, juvenile, disrespectful and certainly not clever by any measure. His little dance with his award was pathetic and I would lay the blame at the feet of the organizers completely. I can only imagine what the lovely, dignified gal who accepted the award for best festival must have felt. If you are trying to legitimize this Awards show, this jackass is not helping.
February 20, 2015 @ 2:01 pm
I’ve heard Mojo several times on Sirius XM. I don’t recall hearing him curse in the shows that I heard. On the other hand, I do recall hearing Shooter drop the f-bomb fairly regularly.
I don’t like for performers to curse gratuitously. (Like Trigger, I make an exception for Carlin, who was a unique talent.)
I don’t know why Mojo couldn’t do the show straight. (I actually might have liked his foxes joke–if that were the only time he used the f-word all evening.)