NM-based musician Austin Van earns recognition at Josie Music Awards
Dec. 28—Hard work isn't foreign to Austin Van.
Music has always been at the forefront for the New Mexico native.
As Van's 2022 comes to a close, he has a lot to be proud of.
In October, the 24-year-old musician traveled to Nashville, Tennessee, to attend the Josie Music Awards at The Grand Ole Opry. The awards are given to independent artists and he was nominated for four — single of the year, fans' choice, artist of the year and rising star of the year
He came out winning single of the year for his track, "Driving Me Out Of Your Mind."
"It was a good experience," he says. "It was nerve wracking to be there with all my peers. I never thought I would be recognized like that."
Van will perform two shows at Route 66 Casino — one on Friday, Dec. 30, and Saturday, Dec. 31
He released his last album, "Music Road, " in 2020.
When he's not performing around New Mexico, Van is usually writing or splitting time with his father.
"Whenever I write, my dad is a seasoned writer so he will give me advice," he says. "One of the things I'm good at is finding the songs. If I can get a good title or melody going, it then becomes part of the story."
Van lives in Ponderosa, near Jemez.
He's grown up always wanting to be a musician.
By the time he was 18, he decided to give it a go.
"I thought to myself, 'I might as well try music now,' " he says with a laugh. "I always had a feeling that music was going to be my career. If I wasn't doing this, I'd probably be a teacher."
Taking the trip to Nashville helped open Van's eyes to the impact he's making on people through music.
He knows when he performs around New Mexico, he's always been supported.
Traveling out of the state and seeing that his music is not only crossing, but pushing boundaries is humbling.
"The music comes from me and I'm not afraid to tell a story," he says. "That's the way we connect. During the pandemic, I wasn't able to play live shows. I think we all took live entertainment for granted. I've been so lucky to be back on stage and doing what I love."
Van credits being able to play shows at a young age for helping build a thick skin.
"It's a difficult business to be in," he says. "A lot of us make music because that's what we're drawn to. I grew up listening to rock and roll, Buddy Holly and the '50s and '60s music. I love troubadours because they can tell a story through song. That's what I'm hoping to do."
Austin Van
WHEN: 7-10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30, and 5-8:45 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31
WHERE: Route 66 Casino Hotel, 14500 Central Ave. SW
INFORMATION: Visit facebook.com/Austin-Van-Music for more information
