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The Night Owl Country Band has been awarded its first international recognition as 2024 Recommended Band of the Year at Europe's International Red Carpet Award Show.

Lead singer Matt Lee says the announcement was quite the surprise. 

"I was really happy because we weren't expecting this one," Lee says. "This is our ninth award and we are celebrating our ninth anniversary as a band." 

The guys were competing against a pool of more than 3,000 other acts to become one of 160 award winners. 

The award comes just a few weeks before this year's 3rd Annual Who's Hoo Country Music Awards Show at 5 p.m. Saturday, November 23 at The Commons, located at 300 Washington Street in downtown Columbus. 

Presented by Night Owl Country Band in conjunction with the International Singer/Songwriter's Association and partnership with the Landmark Columbus Foundation, the evening will feature performances by Jenna Shoaf, Graveyard Pete and the New Appalachian Sound, Sarah Ashley and many more. 

Food will be available for purchase from Hillbilly’s BBQ and adult beverages by Miller’s Tavern ALL WEEKEND. Hope’s own non-profit group FRHC Replay will provide dessert.

A Red-Carpet event will prelude the awards show at 3:30 p.m. Saturday outside The Commons.

A Who’s Hoo Awards pre-concert will be performed at 7 p.m. Friday, November 22 at The Commons.

Weekend pass tickets are $50 per person, Lee says. However, this year, the guys are offering a special ticket. 

"We always want to give back to the community," Lee explains. "And so, we are offering a Cheer Fund ticket this year. Those who purchase the ticket promise to bring a toy and will get their ticket for $25 and know they're helping out our community."

Check out this year's award nominees HERE.

For more information about this event, visit HERE. And to keep up on the latest Night Owl News, follow HERE.