Pictured are (l-r): AMA Executive Director Jed Hilly, Benmont Tench, Larry Campbell, Teresa Williams, Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, Rosanne Cash, Levon Helm, Joy Williams, T Bone Burnett, John Paul White, Jim Lauderdale, Byron Isaacs (photo by Taylor Hill) Robert Plant & Elizabeth Cook Lead Nominee Class of '11 Americana Music Honors & Awards Announced Rosanne Cash Reveals Elite List at Reception in NYC NEW YORK, May 23, 2011-The Americana Music Association saluted the year’s best today as Rosanne Cash announced the list of 2011 Americana Music Association Honors & Awards nominees during a moving and emotional event at the Gibson/Baldwin Showroom in New York City.   Live music anchored the revelry: gripping performances by The Civil Wars, was followed by a plush set from Levon Helm and His Dirt Farmer Quartet featuring Jim Lauderdale and then Cash, with Benmont Tench on keys.  Nashville Mayor Karl Dean also joined the New York celebration, offering praise of the Music City-Americana Music Association.  T Bone Burnett, also on hand, gave a poignant statement saluting the artists for "telling the truth" through their music.  A cultural crossroads of groove and grit, Americana music is the home of spit-polished tradition and original risk takers, and the artists tapped for the 2011 Americana Music Association Honors and Awards reflect the genre’s multi-generational emphasis on story and soul. Elizabeth Cook and Robert Plant lead the pack with three nominations each: Cook’s Welder was tapped in the Album of the Year field, while her “El Camino” earned a Song of the Year nomination. Robert Plant and the Band of Joy will compete for Duo/Group of the Year, while their effort Band of Joy received an Album of the Year nod. Both Cook and Plant are also up for Artist of the Year.  Two recent New/Emerging Artist of the Year honorees are fulfilling that award’s prophecy: 2009 recipient Justin Townes Earle garnered two nods, including Album of the Year for Harlem River Blues and Song of the Year for the album’s title track, while last year’s winner Hayes Carll received taps for Artist of the Year and Song of the Year for “Kmag Yoyo.”  The Civil Wars and Mumford and Sons each earned nominations in both the New/Emerging Artist and Duo/Group of the Year categories, while Buddy Miller also secured two nods: Artist and Instrumentalist of the Year. The Album of the Year field also includes Lucinda Williams’ Blessed, while the Song of the Year category is rounded out by The Decemberists featuring Gillian Welch’s “Down by the Water.” The Avett Brothers are up for Duo/Group of the Year—an honor the band took home in 2010—while Sarah Jarosz, Will Kimbrough, Gurf Morlix and Kenny Vaughan will all also compete for Instrumentalist of the Year. THE 2011 AMERICANA MUSIC ASSOCIATION HONORS AND AWARDS NOMINEES: ALBUM OF THE YEAR Band of Joy, Robert Plant Welder, Elizabeth Cook Harlem River Blues, Justin Townes Earle Blessed, Lucinda Williams ARTIST OF THE YEAR Buddy Miller                                                       Elizabeth Cook                                                   Hayes Carll Robert Plant  NEW/EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR The Civil Wars Mumford And Sons                                         The Secret Sisters                                                      Jessica Lea Mayfield    DUO/GROUP OF THE YEAR The Avett Brothers The Civil Wars Mumford And Sons                                         Robert Plant and the Band Of Joy     SONG OF THE YEAR Decemberists with Gillian Welch- "Down By The Water" Elizabeth Cook - "El Camino"                           Hayes Carll - "Kmag Yoyo" Justin Townes Earle - "Harlem River Blues" INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR Buddy Miller Gurf Morlix                                                          Kenny Vaughan                                                 Sarah Jarosz                                                  Will Kimbrough    The cornerstone of the Americana Music Conference and Festival, the 10th Annual Americana Music Association Honors & Awards ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, October 13 at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Americana music has always been about cherishing history even as it pushes boldly forward, and the Americana Music Association’s decade of song and camaraderie embodies that balance. Slated for Wednesday, October 12 through Saturday, October 15, 2011, the 11th Annual Americana Festival and Conference offers daily seminars, panels and networking opportunities at the Sheraton Nashville Downtown Hotel. The event brings more than 100 stacked musical showcases to key venues throughout Nashville.         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. www.americanamusic.org

 

 

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 ### Sarah Luery MSO 14724 Ventura Blvd #710 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 818.380.0400 x241 818.380.0430 fax sluery@msopr.com www.msopr.com **please include original message in reply**