Friday, 24 January 2025

UK Americana Music Awards 2025 – Winners Revealed

UK Americana Music Awards 2025, powered by Sweet Home Alabama, WINNERS REVEALED 

Gillian Welch & David Rawlings and Hannah White lead the way with two wins each 
Special Awards for Candi Staton, Lyle Lovett and CMAT 
Toby Lee named Bob Harris Emerging Artist Award winner  

The winners of the UK Americana Awards 2025, powered by Sweet Home Alabama, were revealed on the evening of Thursday 23 January in a glittering ceremony at Hackney Church, London.

During a remarkable night, which celebrated the best in UK and International Americana and Roots music, highly acclaimed US singer-songwriters Gillian Welch & David Rawlings scooped Best International Album and Single awards for WOODLAND (released 24 Aug 2024; tagged Singer/Songwriter | UNCUT Review) and “Empty Trainload of Sky” (1.3 million Spotify streams) respectively. The duo’s current album Woodland was released to widespread praise in 2024 and marked their first LP of new, original music since 2017. 

London-based singer-songwriter
Hannah White won the coveted UK Artist of the Year Award, plus UK Album of the Year for SWEET REVOLUTION
A leading light of the homegrown Americana music scene, White’s album was recognised as a major progression in her craft. 


Robert Vincent
was awarded UK Song of the Year for his stand-out track “Follow What You Love and Love Will Follow” and multi-talented guitarist Keiron Marshall was UK Instrumentalist of the Year. 

Alabama’s Jason Isbell, one of the most respected and celebrated songwriters of his generation, won the prestigious International Artist of the Year Award.  

Kezia Gill (left photo credit: Jake Morrell), who has toured extensively, playing to packed houses throughout the UK, took home the Live Act of the Year Award

The Grassroots Award, presented by the AMA-UK to individuals working in the industry (in a capacity other than as artists) who have made outstanding efforts to support Americana music from the grass roots up, was given to independent music promoter David Messer

Bob Harris chose sensational young English guitarist Toby Lee (photo below) for his 2025 Emerging Artist Award

Of the evening’s Special Awards, legendary soul icon Candi Staton collected the AMA-UK Board’s highest accolade, an International Lifetime Achievement Award. Four times Grammy-winning singer, composer and actor Lyle Lovett received the International Trailblazer Award and groundbreaking Irish singer, songwriter and musician CMAT was presented with the UK/Ireland Trailblazer Award


The Awards show boasted an eclectic mix of stunning live performances, illustrating the breadth of talent within the genre, including Lyle Lovett, CMAT, Hannah White, Robert Vincent, Kezia Gill, The Heavy Heavy, Willie Watson, Toby Lee and Kyshona. The evening was brought to a close with an outstanding group rendition of Candi Staton’s worldwide hit “You Got The Love”, featuring Staton herself. 

The show was hosted by broadcaster Baylen Leonard, who was joined by Award presenters Bob Harris OBE, BBC Radio Ulster’s Ralph McLean, journalist and broadcaster Paul Sexton, and Immy Doman and Risa Tabatznik of famed London venue The Green Note. 

In addition to the star-studded artist lineup, the event also welcomed senior music executives, including from organisations such as Amazon Music, PPL, Live Nation, The Orchard, WME, AEG, CAA, FUGA and Atlantic Records, as well as many UK and international media representatives. 

The UK Americana Awards concluded in style a full week of activities during UK Americana Music Week 2025, powered by Sweet Home Alabama.  

Two nights of showcases in venues across Hackney took place on Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22, featuring an incredible line-up of artists from around the world including: Danni Nicholls, The Dreaming Spires, Robert Vincent, Savannah Gardner, Viv & Riley, Willie Watson, the Canada House at Moth Club, and many more. 

During the daytime on Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22, the annual AMA-UK conference, the cornerstone of the week’s programming, was held at Night Tales in Hackney. This year’s theme was “Can Songs Change the World? Americana in 2025,” covering a diverse range of topics tailored for Americana enthusiasts and industry professionals alike.  

The event is proudly supported by Sweet Home Alabama, who were headline sponsors again for the third year, CIMA (Canadian Independent Music Association), PPL, PRS for Music, Concord, Thirty Tigers, Uncut, Musicians’ Union, Americana Music Sweden, and the US Americana Music Association

Award Winners:  
UK ARTIST OF THE YEAR 
·         Elles Bailey  
·         Ferris & Sylvester 
·         Hannah White - WINNER 
·         Katherine Priddy 
·         Robert Vincent 
·         The Heavy Heavy 

UK ALBUM OF THE YEAR 
·         Elles Bailey - Beneath The Neon Glow
·         Hannah White - Sweet Revolution - WINNER 
·         Kathryn Williams & Withered Hand - Willson Williams
·         Nina Nesbitt - Mountain Music  
·         The Hanging Stars - On A Golden Shore 
·         The Heavy Heavy - One of a Kind 

UK SONG OF THE YEAR
·         Blue Rose Code – “Sadie” 
·         Brown Horse – “Stealing Horses” 
·         Jack Francis – “Failure” 
·         Nina Nesbitt – “Pages” 
·         Our Man In The Field – “L'Etranger” 
·         Robert Vincent – “Follow What You Love and Love Will Follow” - WINNER 

UK INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR 
·         Ashley Campbell 
·         Henry Senior Jr 
·         Joe Coombs 
·         Joe Harvey White 
·         Joe Wilkins 
·         Keiron Marshall - WINNER 

INTERNATIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR 
·         Bonny Light Horseman 
·         Charley Crockett 
·         Jason Isbell - WINNER 
·         Larkin Poe 
·         Sierra Ferrell 
·         Waxahatchee 

INTERNATIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR 
·         American Aquarium - The Fear Of Standing Still 
·         Bonny Light Horseman - Keep Me On Your Mind/See You Free 
·         Gillian Welch & David Rawlings – Woodland - WINNER 
·         Kacey Musgraves - Deeper Well 
·         Kyshona - Legacy  
·         Willie Watson - Willie Watson  

INTERNATIONAL SONG OF THE YEAR 
·         Gillian Welch & David Rawlings – “Empty Trainload of Sky” - WINNER 
·         Hurray For The Riff Raff – “Buffalo”  
·         Julian Taylor & Allison Russell – “Pathways” 
·         Kyshona – “The Echo” 
·         Lizzie No – “The Heartbreak Store” 
·         Sierra Ferrell – “American Dreaming” 

LIVE ACT OF THE YEAR 
·         Ben Ottewell & Ian Ball (of Gomez) 
·         Campbell Jensen 
·         Danny & The Champions of the World
·         Kezia Gill - WINNER 
·         Lola Kirke 
·         Morganway 
·         Savannah Gardner 
·         Skinny Lister 
·         The Heavy Heavy
·         Wunderhorse  

AMA-UK Special Awards 
International Lifetime Achievement Award  
Selected by the board members, their highest honour is awarded to an international artist, duo or group in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the Americana genre over the span of their career and life in music. The 2025 recipient is Candi Staton   
International Trailblazer Award  
Selected by the board members, this special award celebrates an international artist, duo or group that has taken an exceptional path, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps in developing the Americana genre. The 2025 recipient is Lyle Lovett  
UK/Ireland Trailblazer Award  
Selected by the board members, this special award celebrates an artist, duo or group from the UK or Ireland that has taken an exceptional path, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps in developing the Americana genre. The 2025 recipient is CMAT  
Grass Roots Award    
Selected by the board members, this special award celebrates the sometimes-unsung heroes of the UK Americana scene. It is presented to individuals working in the industry (in a capacity other than as artists) who have made outstanding efforts to support Americana music from the grass roots up. The 2025 recipient is David Messer  
Bob Harris Emerging Artist Award    
Selected by Bob Harris OBE, this special award celebrates the breakthrough artist, duo or group that has particularly impressed the legendary music broadcaster throughout the year. The 2025 recipient is Toby Lee


About the AMA-UK
“Wouldn’t it be great if we had an Americana Music Association like they have in the States?”  - Bob Butler, Grapevine Music Agency.
The AMA-UK is a professional trade association representing and advocating for the voice of American Roots music in the UK.
Our membership comprises musicians, both from the UK and overseas, plus professionals from all sectors of the music industry, such as agents, promoters, venues, festivals, labels, distributors, retailers, management, touring, journalists, broadcasters and publicists. 

CONNECT with Americana Music UK:
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Lauren Alaina Pays Tribute To “Those Kind Of Women”

DELIVERS TOUCHING ODE TO HER UPBRINGING AND REVEALS BIG ANNOUNCEMENT IN OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO OUT NOW 





























TUNE IN: LAUREN ALAINA ON THE KELLY CLARKSON SHOW 

NASHVILLE, TENN. – Entering a new musical chapter, powerhouse vocalist and Grand Ole Opry member Lauren Alaina releases new song “Those Kind Of Women” (preferred music platform), and its official music video, see below. 
Following the release, Alaina joined fellow American Idol-alum Kelly Clarkson on The Kelly Clarkson Show.

“It's all about the women who raised me,” Alaina shared about the song with PEOPLE. “I was really fortunate to be raised around a bunch of very strong women. And when we cut this song, when we recorded this song, I was not pregnant nor thinking about becoming pregnant. It's funny how things fell into place.”

Highlighting Alaina's “standout voice” (The Tennessean) and “relatable persona” (MusicRow), the heartfelt new track – produced by lauded hitmaker Joey Moi and penned by Lainey Wilson, Monty Criswell, Derek George and Lynn Hutton – is an ode to her raising and a testament to her loved ones' faith, belting lyrics like “whatever kinda hell they were goin' through, Jesus was right there with 'em.”

The song's official music video directed by Justin Clough depicts the chapters of Alaina's life from girlhood to mother-to-be, with a cameo from her own mother and unveils the celebratory news of her pregnancy at the end of the video – confirmed via PEOPLE

With three chart-topping hits under her belt – RIAA Platinum-certified “Road Less Traveled,” 9X Platinum “What Ifs” with her childhood friend Kane Brown, and 3X Platinum “ONE BEER” with labelmate HARDY and Devin Dawson – Alaina will hit the road with Rascal Flatts on their highly-anticipated Life Is A Highway Tour next month. 

Kelly Clarkson Show
Lauren Alaina opens up about finding out she was pregnant after filming her music video "Those Kind Of Women," and Kelly gives her advice for her upcoming tour with Rascal Flatts. Lauren also reflects on Trisha Yearwood inducting her into the Grand Ole Opry.


ABOUT LAUREN ALAINA
Grand Ole Opry member and Big Loud Records powerhouse Lauren Alaina is unveiling a new musical chapter with the release of “Those Kind Of Women,” out now. Signaling more new music on the horizon, the release is the first taste of new music since her six-song 2023 EP Unlocked.
Alaina has earned three chart-topping hits: RIAA Platinum-certified “Road Less Traveled,” 9X Platinum “What Ifs” with her childhood friend Kane Brown, and 3X Platinum “ONE BEER” with labelmate HARDY + Devin Dawson. The Georgia-born force, who American Songwriter notes is “on a seemingly limitless upward trajectory,” has shared the stage with Alan Jackson, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Martina McBride, and more.

This year, she joins the much-anticipated Rascal Flatts Life Is A Highway Tour. The vocalist has performed on some of the highest-profile stages in the world including PBS' A Capitol FourthDancing with the Stars, American Idol, CBS' Beyond The Edge, ABC's The Bachelorette, TODAYGood Morning AmericaThe Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Tonight Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, ABC's CMA Fest specials, CMA and ACM Awards, Nickelodeon's All That, Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Day halftime performance, MLB's World Series national anthem performancea performance at the White House for President Obama, and more.

CONNECT WITH LAUREN ALAINA