WMA Hall of Famer Earns More Awards During Stellar Farewell Touring Year
NASHVILLE, TN — More congratulations are in order for the legendary Rex Allen Jr. The country and western singing star was named Male Vocalist of the Year and awarded Song of the Year (Call of the Canyon) by the Western Music Association at the annual convention last week.
Allen Jr. has held the organization in high regard for years, performing special events and appearing on the pages of the Western Way publication. Allen Jr. is also a member of the Western Music Association’s Hall of Fame.
The Song of the Year honor holds special significance. The song, Call of the Canyon, has received over six million requests worldwide since its release a year ago. The song was co-written with Rex Allen Jr.’s hero, Johnny Western and disc jockey O.J. Sikes, along with Dick Goodman who at the age 85 won his first honor as a songwriter.
The two WMA wins add to the string of honors bestowed upon Rex Allen Jr. during his final year as a touring artist. His farewell Sunrise to Sunset Tour wrapped up in Wilcox, Arizona at this year’s annual Rex Allen Days in October.
Rex Allen Jr. was recently awarded the CMA of Texas Living Legend Award and their Song of the Year honor for his song, “Where Are The Heroes.”
The entertainer attended the Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering in Fort Worth, Texas before heading to New Mexico for the annual Western Music Association Convention and Award show.
The Academy of Western Artists has also recognized Rex Allen Jr with nominations for their 22nd Annual Will Rogers Awards coming up in the spring of 2018. The nominations include Western Music Male, Western Music Album (Garage Songs X: “This Is The Last Cowboy Song”) and Western Music Song (“The Call of the Canyon”).
Rex Allen Jr. continues to record, most recently releasing Garage Songs XI: Chico. The album is filled with his own interpretations of some of country music’s greatest classic songs.