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Ghosts, goblins, celebrity and Halloween thrills will fill the Historic Crump Theatre, located at 425 Third St., Friday night in the run-up to the return of the 2023 Who’s Hoo Country Music Awards this weekend as the best in independent country music gathers in downtown Columbus.

The award show’s Halloween-themed pre-party at 7 p.m. Friday will feature performances by some of this year’s nominated artists, says Matt Lee, event organizer and lead singer for the Night Owl Country Band, including Jason Ray Welsh, who hails from South Carolina and is nominated for Musician of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year.

“Something kind of special is he went on his first date at the Crump,” Lee says. “And now he gets to play that stage.”

The evening, no doubt, will be filled with memorable performances and moments, Lee says. Joining the independent artists onstage will be the Night Owl Country Band, who – holding true to tradition – will surprise all with their costume choices as they take the stage to perform a Halloween-themed set of “odd ball” tunes, Lee says.

Following Friday’s festivities, a 1 p.m. Red Carpet event will prelude the 2023 Award Show at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the Commons, Lee says.

The road to this year’s awards show included a ton of submissions from emerging and established independent country music artists, Lee says. When asked, Lee said he would guess there were somewhere between 500 and 600 submissions in all.

“We all went and looked at what they’d done throughout the year,” he explains. “And that is how we decided who the finalists were.”

A separate, independent panel consisting of eight individuals helped to determine the finalists, Lee says.

Presented in collaboration with the International Singer-Songwriter’s Association, this year’s award show will feature special guest and television icon Jimmie “JJ” Walker – of “Good Times” fame, Lee says. There will also be a meet and greet with Walker, Lee adds.

In addition to the evening’s many treats, the guys say the atmosphere and camaraderie amongst the artists further add to the specialness of the occasion.

“Seeing the artists perform and watching their faces when they win is the best part,” says NOCB guitarist Tim Dooley. “And the fact that everyone supports everyone else. You don’t feel like there is any competition.”  

Among the nominated musicians performing this weekend is 23-year-old CCB Nashville recording artist Trent Prewitt, whose album “Highway to Me” was released this year.

During a recent phone interview, Prewitt teased that he, too, will be coming in disguise to the pre-party as he says he plans to don his best Alan Jackson costume.

“We will do some songs off the new album,” Prewitt says. “When the audience responds or shows emotion or happiness to music, that is such a heartwarming thing for me and us, so I can’t wait to see it.”

Included in his set list is the song “We Need to Talk.” As the name would imply, yes, it is a breakup song, but one that is raw, real and crafted in a very surreal way.

“It’s a true story,” Prewitt explains. “What I find so cool about that one is the chorus is all the sentences exchanged – based on real conversation. The realness and relatability of that song makes it stand out.”

Not only is the weekend anticipated to be a treat-filled celebration of good music and good times, but it is also the NOCB’s eighth anniversary as a band, Lee says. And the guys couldn’t be more excited.

Over the years, the guys have played hundreds of shows, earned numerous awards and accolades, and shared the stage with many notable celebrities, including country star David Frizzell, John Schneider and Tom Wopat (both of “Dukes of Hazzard” fame), and the Brady Bunches’ Barry Williams. 

And they are just getting started.

“We are expecting some great things this coming year,” Lee says.   

In early 2024, the guys will be releasing their latest album “Somewhere in the Country,” which they’ve recorded in several locations over multiple sessions, including recording tracks in Bloomington, Ind., and Nashville, Tenn.  

“We are doing a national release of ‘Somewhere in the Country’ and we will be doing a lot of Indiana shows,” Lee says.

But first things first.

For now, it’s time for celebration.

“To me, it’s so cool to have an event and bring artists from all over the world to right here in Bartholomew County,” Lee says.

Curious about the nominees? Check out the nominations for Who's Hoo 2023 HERE.

** Breakout **
What: Halloween-themed Pre-Award Show Party
Where: Historic Crump Theatre, 425 Third St., Columbus.
When: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27.
Cost: Admission included with Award Show ticket (SEE BELOW).

What: Second Annual Who’s Hoo Country Music Awards, presented by the Night Owl Country Band in collaboration with the International Singer-Songwriter’s Association.
Where: The Commons, 300 Washington St., Columbus.
When: 1 p.m. Red Carpet; Awards Show at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28.
Cost: $50 per person

** To purchase tickets click HERE. For more information about the NOCB and the latest news, visit the guys online HERE or on Facebook HERE.