Country Dick Montana Lifetime Achievement Award

It’s safe to say San Diego’s music community simply wouldn’t be the same without guitarist Jerry Raney. Over the past half century plus, he has devoted his life to playing music, giving the rest us a continual great night out that has lasted since the mid 1960’s. 

“Can that boy play or what!” said Chuck Berry to an enthusiastic crowd, following a blistering solo from Raney, who led Berry’s backing band at a Jack Murphy Stadium concert on May 3, 1982. Generations of music fans concur with that expert opinion. Raney’s expressive playing has made him a guitar hero as well as a rare musician where just about everything he’s released is a worthy addition to a rock fans music collection. The string of bands he has been a part of is impressive: The Roosters. Thee Dark Ages. Blues Messenger. Glory. Jerry Raney & The Shames. Powerthud. The Beat Farmers. The Farmers.

Raney’s legend was cemented with the Beat Farmers. Founded in 1983, the roots rockin’ band brought Raney’s music to the international stage, through six albums and numerous road trips, winning fans the world over.

Recently feted by the Grammy Museum, at 71, Jerry Raney is still going strong. Now with The Farmers, he remains a favorite at venues throughout the Southland, and is still releasing great music, most recently, SD, in 2018.

This year the San Diego Music Awards are proud to honor the accomplishments of Jerry Raney, with a Country Dick Montana Lifetime Achievement Award.

For a list of past Lifetime Award winners, click here

2021 San Diego Music Industry Award

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There are few supporters of music in San Diego as driven as publisher Liz Abbott of the San Diego Troubadour. Over the past two decades, it’s safe to say that her tireless championing of the area’s alternative country, Americana, blues, folk, jazz, gospel and bluegrass musicians through the pages of her newspaper, have had a major impact on the city’s arts community. Alongside Lyle and Ellen Duplessie, as well as Kent Johnson, Abbott was a co-founder of the paper in October 2001, taking the reins upon the Duplessie’s passing in 2004.

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Few publications last more than a few issues, but the San Diego Troubadour has now published hundreds of editions since its beginnings. Pre-pandemic, thousands of free copies were distributed monthly across 200 locations in San Diego County, from San Ysidro to Oceanside. Currently the paper’s online edition continues, a beacon for musicians, as well as writers, photographers and artists. And it’s all due to Abbot’s dedication to let us know about great music

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It’s been said that San Diego’s music community feels like a family. Liz Abbott and her publication are a big part of the reason why. This year the San Diego Music Awards are proud to honor the accomplishments of Liz Abbott and the San Diego Troubadour, with a special 2021 San Diego Music Industry Award.