Home > The M.O. > Archives > 2007 > September > 26 > Entry
Your A-List: Best Singer-Songwriter
Colonna beat out Bill Callahan (18 percent) and Bob Schneider (12 percent) and the rest of our seeded contestants, along with an eye-popping 26 write-in candidates, two of whom, Sara Hickman and Gordy Quist, actually topped vote totals for several official nominees. As you can see, the competition was rather intense.
Colonna has made a name for herself in Austin and beyond with a smoky, weathered voice reminiscent of Bonnie Raitt. As much as her sound is rooted in Texas blues, there is also more than a hint of Motown in the voice of the Lake Charles, La., native who moved to Austin in 2000 and has since put out two accessible, soulful albums with a country bent.
Listen to Wendy Colonna on SoundCheck360
Read Michael Corcoran’s 2005 story about Colonna.
Others receiving votes: Bill Callahan (18 percent), Bob Schneider (13 percent), Bruce Robison (9 percent), Patty Griffin (9 percent), Joe Ely (4 percent), Patrice Pike (4 percent), Ray Wylie Hubbard (3 percent), Slaid Cleaves (3 percent), Eliza Gilkyson (2 percent), Jimmy La Fave (2 percent), Jimmie Dale Gilmore (2 percent), Sara Hickman (1 percent), Hayes Carll (1 percent), Gordy Quist (1 percent), Darden Smith (1 percent), Will Scheff (1 percent), David Hamburger (<1 percent)
Write-ins: Mark Ambrose, Marcia Ball, BettySoo, Jesse Dayton, Alejandro Escovedo, Kevin Fowler, David Garza, Philip Gibbs, Susan Gibson, Jon Dee Graham, Butch Hancock, Terri Hendrix, Red Hunter, Southpaw Jones, Robert Earl Keen, Shelley King, Ginger Leigh, Rip Lorick, Monte Montgomery, Willie Nelson, John Pointer, Matt Powell, Will Sexton, Dale Watson, Carolyn Wonderland, Woode Wood
A personal aside: Although he has been in the area only a brief time, and Dripping Springs is not quite Austin, my vote would have to be with Sam Beam, aka Iron & Wine. Check out the excellent XL cover story on him from Thursday and read our review of his latest album, ‘The Shepherd’s Dog,’ a departure from his sparse debut ‘The Creek Drank the Cradle.’
Photo by Laura Cox
Permalink | Comments (6) | Categories: Your A-List
Comments
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By tammy
October 1, 2007 10:08 PM | Link to this
I felt the ‘personal aside’ was uncalled for - the public voted and Wendy won - why detract from her victory by telling us who you would have voted for? Thankfully you didn’t get to select who won - we did - and I believe the ‘WE’ is much more significant than the ‘you’ - maybe you should keep the personal asides for someone who gives a ** what your ‘personal’ thoughts are…
By Thought Police
October 1, 2007 11:38 PM | Link to this
Wow, tammy. Who rained on your parade? As far as I can tell, your choice won, so what’s the big problem? He didn’t say anything negative about Wendy, and I would imagine, it being his blog, he has the right to mention his choice if he wants. You know, freedom of speech. Just like your freedom to make nasty statements about him in your comment. See how that works? And from looking at some of his other entries, it seems he usually gives his personal choice on these things. I don’t see Chuy’s fans crying over it.
By Mark Fradl
October 3, 2007 12:20 PM | Link to this
I thought Tammy was a little harsh too, BUT maybe the reason Tammy is a little defensive is because Wendy Colonna’s fans have watched her - and many other great local artists - be ignored by Austin media. Yes, it was great that XL featured her as “the next, next wave” in 2005, but neither they nor the Chronicle have reviewed any of her CDs (which were all written and recorded in Austin, and featured all Austin musicians and Austin producers)
No disrespect to Sam Beam, but an “Austin” artist should be someone who has slugged through building a career in this city - hunting for a place to park and unload on 6th, playing for four people at a restaurant happy hour, sweating your way through sets in the park-and-ride lot for ACL because they won’t play you in the bigger venue. There’s a reason so many acts had to leave Austin to “make it” (Shawn Colvin, Patty Griffin, and soon Americana favorite Brian Keane and Austin Music Foundation winner (2005) Rachel Loy)
In Colonna’s case, how does someone win Best New Artist from KGSR (2005) but never get in their regular rotation, win best singer-songwriter yet never get an album review? It was great that XL nominated her, but at some point it’s like when Orson Welles won a lifetime achievement award from the same Hollywood that wouldn’t give him any work.
Sam Beam is a great talent, but once again - as with SXSW and ACL - Austin talent is pushed aside for the big names.
By Casey Shannon
October 3, 2007 3:18 PM | Link to this
All of the previous comments aside. This is a well deserved award. Wendy has been at it for a long time, and should enjoy this for what it is…an untainted nod from the folks who don’t necessarily care about the in’s and out’s of the industry…they just love good music. Congrats Wendy.
By Bonny Holder
October 6, 2007 11:16 AM | Link to this
I’ve been following Wendy’s career for several years, and she deserves all the good attention that she gets. But I have noticed that “both” Austin newspapers have ignored her wonderful CD from last year, “Right Where I Belong,” and also her new DVD, “Old New Borrowed Blue.”
Toni Price just put out a new CD and Wendy’s song, “Right Where I Belong” is getting a lot of attention as one of the best tracks on the record. So why no review of Wendy’s version?
Statesperson music staff peep — give a listen to the original!
peace, Bonny in New Mexico
By Barbara
October 9, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this
Wendy’s time has come. She cannot be denied. I’m glad to see she’s finally getting the Press she deserves. May it continue! You go girl!!