The Americana Music Association announced the nominees for its 18th annual Americana Honors & Awards this afternoon from the rehearsals of “Mavis & Friends: Celebrating 80 Years of Mavis Staples,” which you can watch here. This year’s nominations were revealed by previous Duo/Group of the Year winners The Milk Carton Kids with special guest Mavis Staples, who received a nod in the association’s coveted Artist of the Year category.
A full list of categories and nominees for the Americana Music Association’s® 18th annual Americana Honors & Awards is below:
ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
“To the Sunset,” Amanda Shires, Produced by Dave Cobb
“The Tree,” Lori McKenna, Produced by Dave Cobb
“The Tree of Forgiveness,” John Prine, Produced by Dave Cobb
“Walk Through Fire,” Yola, Produced by Dan Auerbach
ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
Brandi Carlile
Rhiannon Giddens
Kacey Musgraves
Mavis Staples
DUO/GROUP OF THE YEAR:
I’m With Her
Our Native Daughters
Tedeschi Trucks Band
The War and Treaty
EMERGING ACT OF THE YEAR:
Jade Bird
J.S. Ondara
Erin Rae
The War and Treaty
Yola
INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR:
Chris Eldridge
Eamon McLoughlin
Chris Powell
Michael Rinne
SONG OF THE YEAR:
“By Degrees,” Mark Erelli, Rosanne Cash, Sheryl Crow, Lori McKenna, Anais Mitchell & Josh Ritter, Written by Mark Erelli
“Mockingbird,” Ruston Kelly, Written by Ruston Kelly
“People Get Old,” Lori McKenna, Written by Lori McKenna
“Summer’s End,” John Prine, Written by Pat McLaughlin and John Prine
The winners of each category will be announced during the Americana Honors & Awards on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019 at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. The celebrated program is the hallmark event of AMERICANAFEST®, which runs from Sept. 10-15, 2019.
Every 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 Americana music’s biggest night.
“I am thrilled that our membership has chosen to highlight such an incredible slate of talent,” said Jed Hilly, Executive Director of the Americana Music Association. “Each of these musicians has constantly pushed the creative envelope, as evidenced by their musical contributions from this past year. That said, it’s no surprise that these nominees and their art have resonated within our community.”