Gary Clark Jr. takes home top honors at Austin Music Awards
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The 31st Austin Music Awards lit up the Austin Music Hall downtown Wednesday evening, symbolizing the start of the South by Southwest Music Conference.
Austin favorite Gary Clark Jr. swept the show, taking home most of the top honors including Band of the Year, Album of the Year, Musician of the Year and Best Male Vocals.
The show also included a special tribute to Brent Grulke, who served as creative director of the conference before he died suddenly last summer.
Despite the constant evolution of SXSW, the music awards are a chance to get back to the event’s roots. Organizers say it’s an opportunity to highlight Austin and Texas musicians that have influenced music all over the globe.
"I think it is cool to just remember that we started as a small town and a really strong music community,” said local musician Ben Kweller. “Even outside of music this town is full of people and small businesses that help each other and nurture each other.”
SXSW continues through Saturday.