The Americana Music Association UK announce UK Americana Music Week 2024 & award nominations

The Americana Music Association UK announce UK Americana Music Week 2024, powered by Sweet Home Alabama, Monday 22 - Thursday 25 January in Hackney, London

Jason Isbell to receive International Trailblazer Award

Johnny Morgan to receive Bob Harris Emerging Artist Award

Stevie Smith to receive Grass Roots Award

Nominations Shortlist Announced (see below)

New for 2024: A Month of Exciting Americana and Roots Shows from mid-January to mid-February in Venues Across London.

UK Americana Music Week (formerly known as AmericanaFest UK)

Themed Growing Our Roots in Americana, the week’s activities will include an impressive array of showcases, industry panels and special events, all rounded off by the prestigious UK Americana Awards Show, powered by Sweet Home Alabama, next year returning to its spiritual home of St Johns, Hackney. Following an incredibly successful inaugural year partnership in 2023, The Alabama Tourism Department ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ return as headline partners for the week’s events.

Kick-off party, full delegate passes and showcase wristbands are on sale here

Announcing the Association’s plans for 2024, Acting CEO Charlie Pierce (pictured left) said: 

“It was with great pleasure (and a few nerves) that I stepped into the role of Acting CEO in September. I was able to spend the first week of my tenure at AmericanaFest in Nashville, supporting our UK contingent and being with our wider global community. I returned to London full of inspiration for where we can take Americana Music UK in the coming years. We've watched the incredible rise of Country music here in the UK over the last few years and, alongside this, the surge in popularity of Americana and, more broadly, Roots music. Following a hugely successful event in January 2023, now is the moment to focus on growing our strong roots in Americana and bringing our talented artists to a new and bigger audience. A big thanks must go to our returning headline sponsors, Sweet Home Alabama along with all of our supporters and sponsors – and talent - who make this wonderful event possible for our community.”

Commenting on the continuing partnership with AMA-UK, Andy Facer, Account Director UK & Ireland for the Alabama Tourism Department said: “We are delighted to partner with the Americana Music Association UK for another year and Powering the UK Americana Music Week as the headline sponsor. Alabama plays an integral role in shaping the landscape of Americana music. By sponsoring the UK Americana Music Week, The Alabama Tourism Department aims to bridge the geographical gap, inviting enthusiasts to experience the authentic charm of the state's musical culture.”

The Americana Music Association UK (AMA-UK) has revealed the nominations for the eight panel and member-voted categories of the UK Americana Awards 2024, powered by Sweet Home Alabama (details below), and also the winner of the coveted International Trailblazer Award, presented by the AMA-UK board: Jason Isbell

Jason Isbell has established himself as one of the most respected and celebrated songwriters of his generation. 

The North Alabama native possesses an incredible penchant for identifying and articulating some of the deepest, yet simplest, human emotions, and turning them into beautiful poetry through song. Isbell broke through in 2013 with the release of Southeastern. 

His next two albums, Something More Than Free (2015) and The Nashville Sound (2017), won Grammy Awards for Best Americana Album & Best American Roots Song. The creation of Reunions (2020) is the subject of a documentary from Sam Jones, “Running With Our Eyes Closed” and Isbell and his band the 400 Unit’s most recent album is Grammy-nominated Weathervanes (2023). Isbell's song "Maybe It's Time" was featured in the 2019 reboot of “A Star Is Born.” Isbell also appears in the Martin Scorsese film, “Killers of the Flower Moon.”

Shining a spotlight on exciting new talent, this year's Emerging Artist Award selected by Bob Harris OBE will go to Jonny Morgan. 

Speaking about his choice, Bob Harris OBE  said: “I have been at the heart of the Americana Music Association UK from day one and I am so proud to be a part of such a warm and creative community.  My Emerging Artist of the Year 2024 is Jonny Morgan and I cannot wait to introduce him onstage at the awards. It’s going to be an amazing night.”

The AMA-UK Grass Roots Award, recognising the sometimes-unsung heroes of the UK Americana scene, will be given in 2024 to Stevie Smith, former CEO of the Americana Music Association UK, who stepped down earlier this year. 

Stevie’s tireless, dedicated, hard work over more than a decade has been fundamental to the huge progress and advancement within the UK Americana landscape.

AMA-UK Award Nominations 

UK Album of the Year

 

·         Far From Saints – Far From Saints

·         Michele Stodart – Invitation

·         Roseanne Reid – Lawside

·         Ward Thomas – Music In The Madness 

 

International Album of the Year

 

·         Allison Russell – The Returner 

·         Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors – Strangers No More 

·         Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit – Weathervanes 

·         Margo Cilker – Valley of Heart’s Delight

 

UK Song of the Year

·         Hannah White – “Chains of Ours”

·         Kirsten Adamson – “My Father’s Songs”

·         Lauren Housley & The Northern Cowboys – “High Time” 

·         St Catherine’s Child – “Every Generation”  

 

International Song of the Year

·         Chris Stapleton – “White Horse” 

·         Maren Morris – “The Tree” 

·         Margo Price – “Radio” 

·         Noah Kahan – “Stick Season”

UK Artist of the Year

·         Cardinal Black 

·         Elles Bailey 

·         Hannah White 

·         Michele Stodart

International Artist of the Year

·         Allison Russell 

·         Jason Isbell

·         Lucinda Williams 

·         War & Treaty 

 

UK Instrumentalist of the Year

·         Holly Carter 

·         Joe Coombs 

·         Joe Harvey White 

·         Keiron Marshall 

UK Live Act of the Year

·         Elles Bailey 

·         Far From Saints

·         Ferris & Sylvester 

·         Frank Turner

·         Lauren Housley & The Northern Cowboys

·         The Hanging Stars

Special Awards:

 

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 2024 recipient will be Jason Isbell

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 2024 recipient will be Jonny Morgan.

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 2024 recipient will be Stevie Smith.

·         The nominated artists, songs and albums are the result of AMA-UK's uniquely open and member-driven process. They ask their entire membership to nominate in each category, and then the board use that data as a guide to compile the final shortlist. The members then vote for their favourites to produce the winners. The voting data is then audited by official auditors to ensure that every vote is counted.

·         AMA-UK works with The Official Charts Company to create the UK Americana Album Chart. The Best Selling Americana Album Award is given to the best selling Americana Album by a UK Artist.

·         The Lifetime Achievement Award is selected by the board members, our highest honour is awarded to a UK artist, duo or group in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the Americana genre over the span of their career and life in music. 

·         Board Members: Baylen Leonard, Kim Bayley, Paul Fenn, Ralph McLean, Siobhan Maher Kennedy, Brendan McCarthy, Lara Baker, Andy Shearer

·         AMA-UK Ambassadors: Bob Harris OBE , Ben Lovett, Ethan Johns, Mary Gauthier, Billy Bragg

In honour of Jason Isbell’s Award, the Week’s kick-off party on Monday 22 January, presented by Sweet Home Alabama and Thirty Tigers, will celebrate Jason Isbell’s seminal album Southeastern, and other world class music coming out of The Yellowhammer state.

On Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24 January, an eclectic programme of daytime talks and panels will be followed by an extensive UK and international showcase programme across five stages in Hackney both evenings. The jewel in the Week’s crown, the UK Americana Awards 2024, powered by Sweet Home Alabama, will take place on Thursday 25 January at St John’s Hackney.

For the first time in 2024, UK Americana Week, powered by Sweet Home Alabama, is the feature event in an exciting month of music for Americana and Roots fans in London, with shows running from mid-January through to February at various venues across the capital. This includes: 

Friday 12 Jan 2024: Tommy Emmanuel with special guest Molly Tuttle at Cadogan Hall – sold out

Friday 19 Jan 2024: Milk Carton Kids at The Barbican

Friday 26 Jan 2024: Darlingside at Lafayette

Friday 26 Jan 2024: Drew Holcombe at The Garage

Saturday 27 Jan 2024: Teddy Thompson at Cadogan Hall

Sunday 28 Jan 2024: Israel Nash at Oslo

Tuesday 30 Jan 2024: Allison Russell at Lafayette

Wednesday 31 Jan 2023: Noah Guthrie at St Pancras Old Church

Friday 2 Feb 2024: Dave Hause and Will Hoge at Union Chapel

Tuesday 6 Feb 2024: The Wood Brothers at Lafayette

Stay tuned for more information on the AMA-UK Board’s Special Awards for 2024. The award for the Best-Selling Americana Album by a UK artist, presented in conjunction with The Official Charts Company (OCC), will be announced in January. 

About the AMA-UK

The Americana Music Association UK (AMA-UK) is a professional trade association representing and advocating for the voice of Americana music in the UK. Our membership comprises musicians, both from the UK and overseas, plus individuals and organisations from all sectors of the music industry, including; agents, promoters, venues, festivals, labels, distributors, retailers, management, touring crew, journalists, broadcasters and publicists. 

We are committed to treating all artists and associated parties equally regardless of their gender status, sexual orientation, race, ethnic origin, age or disability.  We are always listening and learning from our membership and strive to ensure we provide a safe environment that allows all to feel welcome, safe and able to contribute. 

Previous recipients of our Special Awards have included Robert Plant, Mumford & Sons, Billy Bragg, Van Morrison, Richard Thompson and Albert Lee, Graham Nash, Joan Armatrading, Lucinda Williams and many more. The show is hosted by Baylen Leonard with guest presenter Bob Harris OBE and awards have been presented by Sir Patrick Stewart, Jools Holland, Bonnie Raitt, Chris Difford, Ricky Ross, Harry Shearer, Timothy B. Schmidt, Jim Lauderdale and Kiki Dee, amongst many others.

CONNECT with Americana Music UK: