One of the highlights of the Americana Music Festival and Conference is the Americana Honors and Awards program, which takes place at within the sacred walls of the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. on Sept. 12. It’s a great event because not only do you have Buddy Miller leading a stellar house band and Jim Lauderdale, and tireless and engaging MC, deserving of the moniker “Mr. Americana,” but the performances are always some of the best I’ve had the good fortune to witness from those storied pews.
For the first time TV viewers get a new perspective. This year’s Americana Honors & Awards will be broadcast on AXS TV which will include live behind-the-scenes coverage.
The ceremony will also broadcast live on radio, satellite and the web via outlets including Nashville’s legendary WSM, SiriusXM’s “Outlaw Country†and NPR.org, respectively. As they did last year Austin City Limits, will broadcast an edited special ACL Presents on November 10, and Voice of America and Bob Harris’ BBC Radio 2 will broadcast overseas in the following weeks.
I’ve already opined on my views of the nominees, now it’s time to settle in for the ride. below find the nominees and my pick in bold.
Album of the Year
Here We Rest – Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit
I’ll Never Get Out of this World Alive – Steve Earle
The Harrow & The Harvest – Gillian Welch
This One’s For Him: A Tribute to Guy Clark – Various Artists
Artist of the Year
Gillian Welch
Hayes Carll
Jason Isbell
Justin Townes Earle
Emerging Artist of the Year
Alabama Shakes
Dawes
Deep Dark Woods
Robert Ellis
Song of the Year
“Alabama Pines†– Written by Jason Isbell and performed by Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit
“Come Around†– Written and performed by Sarah Jarosz
“I Love†– Written by Tom T. Hall and performed by Patty Griffin
“Waiting On The Sky to Fall†– Written and performed by Steve Earle
Instrumentalist of the Year
Buddy Miller
Chris Thile
Darrell Scott
Dave Rawlings
Duo/Group of the Year
Carolina Chocolate Drops
The Civil Wars
Gillian Welch & Dave Rawlings
Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit
Punch Brothers