Michael Hearne’s Big Barn Dance wins Ameripolitan Best Festival award
FOR THOSE OF US FORTUNATE
enough to live in Taos, we are all familiar with Michael Hearne’s Big Barn Dance. The music festival takes place every September when musicians and fans come together to play, listen and dance to some of the best Americana, Country, Folk and Bluegrass music in the country. In 2022, the 20th anniversary of the Big Barn Dance proved to be the best festival yet, with sold-out crowds and impromptu sanding ovations (sometimes in the middle of songs) from enthusiastic and appreciative spectators.
The festival did not go unnoticed by those outside our distinctive enclave. On the evening of February 18 in Memphis, surrounded by nearly 1,000 musicians and fans at the Guest House at Graceland Hotel, Michael Hearne’s Big Barn Dance won the Ameripolitan award for Best Festival.
“For us, it was a pretty big deal to be nominated,” explained Hearne from his home in Texas, “we were excited about it but I really didn’t think we would win.”
The Ameripolitan awards were established by Dale Watson, an Austinbased artist who has relocated to Memphis, to give like-minded individuals an opportunity to celebrate and promote the music that touches so many people through inspirational lyrics and music. While somewhat competitive, with 16 categories and at least four nominees in each one, the spirit and support of the music is at the core of the awards. The event encompassed five days of festivities including dinners, concerts and ample opportunities to network. The penultimate red-carpet awards ceremony attracted fans and musicians who were dressed in their finest rhinestones, boots and honky-tonk attire.
Hearne traveled to Memphis with his girlfriend and daughter, Sarah Hearne Naftis, who is the Big Barn Dance event director. “When they called our category, I turned and looked at Sarah and smiled and said, ‘well, here we go!’” And in a matter of opening an envelope with the winner’s name, Michael Hearne’s Big Barn
Dance in the small town of Taos landed firmly on everyone’s radar.
“The response has been great,” commented Hearne. “Before winning the award a lot of people didn’t know me, had not heard of me or the Big Barn Dance. I met a lot of people and made a lot of connections.” When asked if we will see the result of some of those newly-formed connections on stage at this year’s Big Barn Dance Michael cryptically responded, “yes, absolutely.”
The award has already resulted in more than an expanded musician offering. “We’ve already received inquiries from 20 people in Sweden who are planning to come to Taos this year.”
With the 2023 Big Barn Dance right around the corner, the family Hearne is in full swing preparing and finalizing the bookings. The line-up will be released on May 8 when general admissions go on sale. “We will release the line-up a bit sooner if we can,” added Hearne.
Here in Taos, we’ve watched as the Big Barn Dance has not only gotten better throughout the years, but has also become a community event that brings old and new friends together to visit, share and enjoy the camaraderie. “After 20 years of hard work, we have the structure and foundational pieces in place yet we’ve kept it intimate and I think that’s one reason why we won,” said Hearne.
The Big Barn Dance will take place in Kit Carson Park Sept. 7-9. Tickets go on sale May 8. In maintaining the commitment to its intimate setting, tickets will once again be limited to a set number of both general admission and VIP. For more information, visit bigbarndance.com.