Americana Music Association Unveils its 2016 Honors & Awards Nominees

Americana Music Association Unveils its 2016 Honors & Awards Nominees

During An Invitation Only Event in Washington, D.C.

The Americana Music Association announced the nominees for its 15th annual Honors & Awards show at an event held May 11, 2016 at the historic Mansion on O Street in Washington, D.C.

The invitation only affair, presented by the music FIRST Coalition, was attended by members of Congress and musicians and streamed live via Facebook exclusively through NPR Music. (Watch the Facebook video)

Hosted by The Milk Carton Kids — Kenneth Pattengale and Joey Ryan — and featured performances by Lucinda Williams, Margo Price and Sierra Hull & Ethan Jodziewicz.

(L-R) Ethan Jodziewicz, Sierra Hull, Kenneth Pattengale, Lucinda Williams,
Joey Ryan, Margo Price, Jed Hilly (Photo Credit: Sarah Como)
CLICK to ENLARGE

Singer-songwriter Jason Isbell "the face of the Americana genre" scored three nominations, for Album, Artist and Song of the Year, for "24 Frames." 

Jason’s album SOMETHING MORE THAN FREE (tagged "Folk"/ "Rock") released July 17, 2015 arrived in the top 10 on both the Billboard 200 and Billboard Top Country Albums, at No.6 on the former and No.1 on the latter (45,800 copies sold; his best sales week) in the week ending July 23, 2015 according to Nielsen Music. 
Isbell, who spent six years as a member of the Drive By Truckers (leaving the band in 2007 to start his solo career) was pleasantly surprised by the album’s impact on the country chart. “I’m overwhelmed by the early success of the album,” Isbell told Billboard. “I never expected my music to be accepted by anything resembling mainstream, and in all honesty it makes me realize I have more in common with my fellow music fans than I had previously thought.” 
It marked the first top 10 on both charts for Isbell, who had previously logged three chart entries on the Billboard 200 since 2009, going as high as No. 23 in 2013 with SOUTHEASTERN. Isbell's latest album also debuted at No.1 on both the Top Rock Albums and Folk Albums charts. As of March 20, 2016 it had sold 133,800 copies.

Lucinda William's, latest LP THE GHOSTS OF HIGHWAY 20 is nominated for best album. 

Released on Feb 5, 2016 (Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com) it made a debut and peaked at #36 on the Billboard 200 logging 16,001 units (15,784 pure sales) falling to #87 in its second week (down 51%; 7,787 sales). 

Having turned 63 on January 26th the Americana singer/songwriter scored her seventh chart album in the UK and her third Top 40 entry at No.33 (3,949 sales). 

It first topped the Official UK Country Album Chart (Week Ending February 4, 2016), has led for 2 weeks and has spent 14 weeks in the top 20. “Ghosts” features a common thread running through the songs, uniting them under one collective theme as the haunting title track illustrates. 
12 of the 14 songs were inspired by various periods and experiences throughout Williams' life that all tie into Highway 20 (aka Interstate 20), which runs in part from Georgia to Texas. Her release DOWN WHERE THE SPIRIT MEETS THE BONE took home the album trophy at last year's ceremony so she seeks to repeat in that category. She's also up for Artist of the Year.

Chris Stapleton scored two nominations: Artist of the Year and Album of the Year for Traveller. The CMA and ACM Award-winning vocalist is one of two more mainstream-country nominees being recognized by the Americana Music Association — Kacey Musgraves is up for Song of the Year for "Dime Store Cowgirl."

Margo Price, who has yet to break through on country radio, also represents traditional country. She's up for New/Emerging Artist of the Year and for Song of the Year for "Hands of Time," off her debut album Midwest Farmer's Daughter. She shared via a tweet that she will be making her UK TV debut on Tuesday May 17th on Later... with Jools Holland and will share the stage with Iggy Pop (See BBC Page)

Can't believe I'll be making my UK TV debut next week on @BBCLater and sharing the stage with @IggyPop! Tune in 5/17 pic.twitter.com/F345Hn2Fnt

— Margo Price (@MissMargoPrice) 10 May 2016

Nominee’s The Tennessean.com - Picture Gallery

A full list of categories and nominees for the Americana Music Association’s 15th Annual Honors & Awards is below:

Album of the Year

SOMETHING MORE THAN FREE, Jason Isbell, Produced by Dave Cobb

THE GHOSTS OF HIGHWAY 20, Lucinda Williams, Produced by Greg Leisz, Tom Overby and Lucinda Williams

THE VERY LAST DAY, Parker Millsap, Produced by Parker Millsap and Gary Paczosa

TRAVELLER, Chris Stapleton, Produced by Dave Cobb and Chris Stapleton

Artist of the Year

Jason Isbell; Bonnie Raitt; Chris Stapleton; Lucinda Williams

Duo/Group of the Year

Alabama Shakes; Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell; Lake Street Dive; The Milk Carton Kids; Tedeschi Trucks Band

Emerging Artist of the Year

Leon Bridges; John Moreland; Margo Price; Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats

Song of the Year

“24 Frames” Jason Isbell

“Dime Store Cowgirl” Kacey Musgraves

“Hands Of Time” Margo Price

“S.O.B.”  Nathaniel Rateliff & The Nightsweats

Instrumentalist of the Year  

Cindy Cashdollar; Stuart Duncan; Jedd Hughes; Sara Watkins 

The winners of each category will be announced during the Americana Honors and Awards show on September 21, 2016 at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN. The celebrated program is the capstone event of “AmericanaFest,” the Americana Music Festival and Conference, which runs from September 20-25, 2016.  

Each year, the Americana Music Association honors distinguished members of the music community with six member voted annual awards and with Lifetime Achievement Awards, which will be announced leading up to the event.  

Described by Emmylou Harris as “the shining star of Nashville and music everywhere,” the Americana Honors and Awards show has been broadcast in the past on AXS TV, PBS, and via SiriusXM Radio, BBC2, WSM, Voice of America and npr.org.  The show has featured many amazing moments in musical history including Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash's last live performance together, as well as show-stopping appearances by Don Henley, Bonnie Raitt, Gregg Allman, The Avett Brothers, Solomon Burke, Rosanne Cash, Civil Wars, Dr. John with Dan Auerbach, Patty Griffin, Levon Helm, Robert Plant and many more. Tickets for the Americana Honors & Awards are available for purchase by Conference Registrants of the weeklong event.

For more information about the Americana Honors & Awards and to purchase registrations and tickets please visit www.americanamusic.org.

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About Americana Music Association

The Americana Music Association is a professional non-profit trade organization whose mission is to advocate for the authentic voice of American Roots Music around the world. The Association curates events throughout the year including the annual Americana Music Festival and Conference, the acclaimed Americana Honors & Awards program and its "Americana NYC," curated in partnership with Lincoln Center. 

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