The Band of Heathens was voted “Best New Band” at the 2007 Austin Music Awards. Their 2008 self-titled studio album went to #1 on the Americana Music Association’s radio charts, eventually settling in at #8 on the Association’s Top 100 Albums. After appearing on Austin City Limits with Elvis Costello, the band earned nominations for best New Emerging Artist and Best Duo/Group by the Americana Music Association. Recently, the Heathens went into their hometown studio in Austin to record their own version of the classic Ray Charles album, A Message from the People. In a time when the downtrodden need champions amid a constant barrage of corruption and social injustice, the Heathens deliver a message by paying homage to one of the most important voices in American song history.