Americana Fest

Brandi Carlile, Rhiannon Giddens, Kacey Musgraves, John Prine, Mavis Staples, Tedeschi Trucks Band and More Announced as the Americana Music Association’s 2019 Americana Honors and Awards Nominees

The Americana Music Association announced the nominees for its 18th annual Americana Honors and 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 and 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 and Awards on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019 at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. The celebrated program is the hallmark event of Americana Fest, 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.”

Described by Emmylou Harris as “the shining star of Nashville and music everywhere,” the Americana Honors and Awards has been broadcast in years past on CMT, Austin City Limits via PBS, AXS TV and via SiriusXM Radio, BBC2, WMOT, WRLT, WSM, Voice of America and NPR Music - with the awards show being the most-streamed music event on NPR Music for three consecutive years.

For almost two decades, the prestigious ceremony has celebrated pioneering mainstays and trailblazing newcomers, while featuring unforgettable moments in musical history including: Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash's last live performance together, as well as offering show-stopping appearances by: k.d. lang, Van Morrison, 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 and Awards are currently only available for purchase by Americana Fest Conference Registrants.

For more information on the association or to purchase tickets for this year's Americana Honors and Awards and passes to Americana Fest, visit americanamusic.org.