Local alt-country rocker Darryl Lee Rush's latest album, Live from the River Road Icehouse, is one of the top 100 Americana CDs of the year as determined by the Americana Music Association.

Rush's CD was spun enough times by Americana stations to warrant this honor--glad to know that there are radio DJs who want to play country music this honest and without frills.

Ironically, though, two of the record's best songs, "Shotgun Annie" and "Lot," were studio efforts that book-ended the live performance. You can see the cool video for "Lot" over at yallwire.com.

Meanwhile, word is that Rush is working on a new, all-studio project for release next year. So congrats to Darryl Lee Rush; I've been touting his greatness for a couple of years now and the crowds at his shows just keeping bigger and bigger. Any award couldn't happen to a nicer or more deserving fellow. --Darryl Smyers