Americana Music Association announces nominees for Honors & Awards

Kentuckian Sturgill Simpson leads the pack for the Americana Music Association's Honors & Awards nominees.

The Americana Music Association announced the nominees for its 16th annual Honors & Awards show this week at an intimate members-only ceremony held at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The live-streamed event was hosted by The Milk Carton Kids — Kenneth Pattengale and Joey Ryan — and featured performances by Jason Isbell, Jerry Douglas, Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley of the Drive-By Truckers and Caitlin Canty.

A full list of categories and nominees for the Americana Music Association’s 16th Annual Honors & Awards is below:

Album of the Year:

American Band, Drive-By Truckers, Produced by David Barbe

Close Ties, Rodney Crowell, Produced by Kim Buie and Jordan Lehning

Freedom Highway, Rhiannon Giddens, Produced by Rhiannon Giddens and Dirk Powell

The Navigator, Hurray for the Riff Raff, Produced by Paul Butler

A Sailor’s Guide to Earth, Sturgill Simpson, Produced by Sturgill Simpson

Artist of the Year:

Jason Isbell

John Prine

Lori McKenna

Margo Price

Sturgill Simpson

Duo/Group of the Year:

Billy Bragg & Joe Henry

Drive-By Truckers

Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives

The Lumineers

Emerging Artist of the Year:

Aaron Lee Tasjan

Amanda Shires

Brent Cobb

Sam Outlaw

Song of the Year:

“All Around You,” Sturgill Simpson, Written by Sturgill Simpson

“It Ain’t Over Yet,” Rodney Crowell (feat. Rosanne Cash & John Paul White), Written by Rodney Crowell

“To Be Without You,” Ryan Adams, Written by Ryan Adams

“Wreck You,” Lori McKenna, Written by Lori McKenna and Felix McTeigue  

Instrumentalist of the Year:

Spencer Cullum, Jr.

Jen Gunderman

Courtney Hartman

Charlie Sexton 

The winners of each category will be announced during the Americana Honors and Awards show on September 13, 2017, 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 12-17, 2017.

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, WMOT, WRLT, 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 Bob Weir, George Strait, 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.

Country Throwdown concert series is a must see

Willie Nelson by Jessica Blankenship

Father's Day was a day of celebration of music and family relationships. Just down the road from Kentucky, the Country Throwdown Tour Stop in Knoxville had an abundance of family on and off stage. Headlining the series was legendary performer Willie Nelson. His son Lukas Nelson played his own individual blend of country rock set. But his talent didn't stop there as he appeared as a guest guitarist on other Throwdown tour artists set list. During Jamey Johnson's set, his daughter Kylie joined in to sing on "Tulsa Time" and the timeless classic, "In Color."

There was no shortage of talent with the room full of music. Due to the rain, the venue made the smart decision to place the two stages inside on opposite ends. In turn, fans were able to see all acts, but only got to see a brief set of the Bluebird Cafe artists.

One of the biggest draws on the secondary stage was Brantley Gilbert. The Georgia native has been making a name for himself as a songwriter and now as a performer. Fans were quick to react to his crowd interaction.

Another fellow Georgia native, Brent Cobb, discussed the success of Georgia musicians. "I believe it is due to the fact we have been able to write what people are living in every day life. It is amazing and great to see the success of folks like Jason Aldean, Dallas Davidson, Rhett Akins, Zac Brown Band, Blackberry Smoke, and more. I think people are finally taking notice and it is unbelievable to see the talent." Cobb is one to watch and has caught the eye of Shooter Jennings, who produced his album after a connection with his cousin, Dave Cobb.

Lee Brice and Randy Houser both provided a trip down the backwoods to a honkytonk roadhouse with their sets. Brice would get the crowd singing along with his hit song, "Love Like Crazy" and "Sumter County Saturday Night." Houser would let his strong vocals soar throughout his rowdy set, including his hit songs "Whistling Dixie," "Boots On," and his take of "Simple Man."

Jamey Johnson eased up on stage waving to the crowd before jamming to "High Cost of Living." Rolling through traditional country music, Johnson was a man of few words and let the music do the talking. During "Tulsa Time," Melonie Cannon joined on stage to sing backup. The crowd was stomping and clapping their hands through the rowdy tune, "That Lonesome Song."

Texas music was in full swing when Willie Nelson took to the stage, opening with "Whiskey River," and flowing through the years through his hour long set. With a big Texas state flag as the background, it was evident that Texas music was shining.

Country Throwdown is one of the hot summer concert tours to catch. One of the biggest elements is the emphasis on some of the biggest songwriters and the songs they live. The secret to a good song? Erin Enderlin said it best, "Singing about real life and the truth. When a singer writes about a real life experience, it makes the song easier to relate to for the listener."