Originally, Best Country/Rockabilly didn’t exist. There was just Best Roots Act. But Portland rockabilly is blowing up, especially with acts like the Two Timin’ Three, Owen Money and the Saviors, and the Outsiders, who have probably all been influenced by Portland’s Best Country/Rockabilly Act: King Memphis.

This three-piece have been playing for years, almost decades, and steadily rocking out more and more each show. Their crowd goes effing crazy. It’s impossible to hear King Memphis and not want to grab the nearest stranger (and their drink) to swing around the dance floor. Of all the Portland bands I’ve seen live, King Memphis is among my top five favorites. Matt Robbins, guitar and vocals, commands your attention with his rockabilly hotness. Kris Day, upright bass, plucks his baby with expert ease while bopping around the bass pivot. Drummer Gary Burton does his drumming thing with style. And kazam! You’ve got King Memphis, Best Rockabilly in Portland.

Of course, Kris Day’s so good that he’s on tour with Link Wray, and Gary couldn’t make the Awards Show, but Robbins made sure to stylishly pick up his Bimpy, thank the Phoenix for putting Jerks of Grass in another category, and take a picture of himself for posterity. What’s up King Memphis? You ready for another 15 years or so?

Runners up: the Outsiders, the McCarthys