The Americana Music Association announced the nominees for the trade organization’s 2009 Honors and Awards ceremony today at its annual celebration at BMI Nashville. The show, in its eighth year, will be held Thursday, September 17 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee.
Legendary Mandolin virtuoso Sam Bush, joined by rising star Phoebe Hunt—member of the hot young band the Belleville Outfit—read the list of award candidates to a crowd of industry executives, artists and tastemakers.
Buddy Miller received five nominations in the six member-voted categories; Justin Townes Earle received three and Alejandro Escovedo, the Flatlanders and Australia’s Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson each received two nominations.
“These nominations reflect the vibrancy and diversity of the ever-growing popularity of Americana Music,” said Americana Executive Director Jed Hilly. “Our Honors & Awards show will again be filled with legends and the next generation of stars; it’s going to be a musical night to remember.”
Selected by members of the Americana Music Association, the 2009 nominees reflect the genre’s affection for innovative and inspiring artistry. The nominees’ eligibility is based on work released between June 1, 2008 and May 1, 2009.
The 2009 Americana Music Association Honors and Awards Nominees are:
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Real Animal, by Alejandro Escovedo
Written in Chalk, by Buddy & Julie Miller
Jason Isbell & The 40 Unit, by Jason Isbell & The 40 Unit
Midnight At The Movies, by Justin Townes Earle
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Alejandro Escovedo
Buddy Miller
Justin Townes Earle
Raul Malo
INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR
Buddy Miller
Gurf Morlix
Jerry Douglas
Sam Bush
NEW & EMERGING ARTIST
Band of Heathens
Belleville Outfit
Justin Townes Earle
Sarah Borges
SONG OF THE YEAR
“Chalk,” written by Julie Miller, performed by Buddy Miller & Patty Griffin
“Country Love” by the Gourds
“Homeland Refugee,” by Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, and Butch Hancock, performed by the Flatlanders
“Rattlin’ Bones” by Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson, performed by Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson
“Sex And Gasoline,” by Rodney Crowell, performed by Rodney Crowell
DUO GROUP OF THE YEAR
Buddy & Julie Miller
Flatlanders
Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson
Reckless Kelly
“The artists housed under the Americana umbrella create today’s most critically acclaimed, socially relevant and culturally profound music,” said AMA executive director Jed Hilly. “The nominees represent the elite of the elite, and we are proud to work with and for such provocative creators.”
The winners will be announced September 17 at the historic Ryman Auditorium during the 8th Annual Americana Music Association’s Honors and Awards Show. Hosted by Jim Lauderdale and featuring a band led by Buddy Miller, the Honors & Awards ceremony will also recognize Lifetime Achievements and awards in Performance, Songwriting and the unique Spirit of Americana Award honoring Free Speech in Music. Additional honorees and performers will be announced in the coming months.
Slated for Wednesday, September 16 through Saturday, September 19, the 10th Annual Americana Festival and Conference will offer daily seminars, panels and networking opportunities at the Nashville Convention Center. Each evening brings more than 80 stacked Americana showcases to key venues throughout Nashville. Approximately 1,000 industry professionals attended the 2008 conference and more than 12,000 fans experienced the Festival’s musical events.
A limited number of Americana Honors and Awards pre-sale tickets costing $55 are now available through the Americana online store (www.americanamusic.org) or by calling the office 615.386.6936. Wristbands for admission to all four evenings of live music now available now for $45 via www.americanamusic.org. Full Conference registrations include access to all panels and presentations, the trade show, select meals, invitations to all sanctioned parties, a ticket to the Honors & Awards ceremony and priority admission to the evening performances. Registration is currently $300 for AMA members and $400 for non-members, a savings of $150 off the walk up price.
The Renaissance Hotel is the official hotel of the Americana Music Conference. Conference registrants may receive a discounted room rate by clicking here and entering the special discount code: amaamaa.
Major sponsors include BMI, First Amendment Center, GIBSON, The Gibson Foundation and SESAC.
About the Americana Music Association
The Americana Music Association is a professional trade organization whose mission is to provide a forum for the advocacy of Americana music and to promote public awareness of the genre to support the creative and economic viability of professionals in this field. Dedicated to building and promoting the Americana genre and the individuals who participate in that industry, the Americana Music Association works closely with artists, labels, radio stations, retailers, print media, festivals, agents, publishers and more to help organize and build the infrastructure necessary for the Americana genre to achieve success both creatively and financially.
National Coverage – MSO: Mitch Schneider, Todd Brodginski and Lyndie Wenner
mschneider@msopr.com
toddb@msopr.com
lwenner@msopr.com
Festival and Conference – Jayne Rogovin-The Jayne Gang
jrogovin@bellsouth.net
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Sarah Luery
MSO
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I’ve been in bands for the better part of 15 years, but in between bands, there’s often a down time when you have to play grown-up. And in that down time I would often miss talking about and listening to music with friends. Then I saw my loophole… podcasting. There’s nothing more fun for me than sharing music with other people who are willing to listen to it. But I didn’t want to play a typical rock show with no real agenda to it. So I looked at what my favorite bands were, and what they had in common. They were all playing some extension of “Americana” based music. And that’s where the show came from. Also, I’m always rooting for the underdog, and Americana music doesn’t get the recognition that it deserves. So, this is my small part in helping to spread the word about fantastic music.
Forgive my rant but… I received an e-mail yesterday announcing the release of Shooter Jennings’ new Greatest Hit album entitled “
This show was upbeat and a lot of fun to be a part of. He played a few Mavericks songs along with some tunes off his new album “Lucky One” which is just my style. The whole vibe had a pulp fiction feel to it with all the ladies dancing which was pretty cool.