Cook and Plant Lead Americana Honors Nominations

Elizabeth Cook and Robert Plant lead the 2011 Americana Music Honors and Awards Nominees

Nominees for the 2011 Americana Music Association Honors and Awards were announced today at a special event held at New York City’s Gibson/Baldwin Showroom.

Elizabeth Cook and Robert Plant lead the field of nominees, earning three acknowledgements apiece including Artist of the Year nominations for both. Additionally, Cook’s Welder is up for Album of the Year, and her song “El Camino” got a nod for Song of the Year. Robert Plant and the Band of Joy are nominated for Duo/Group of the Year, and the group’s album Band of Joy is also up for Album of the Year.

Previous New/Emerging Artist of the Year winners Justin Townes Earle and Hayes Carll each received two nominations. Earle’s Harlem River Blues is up for Album of the Year and its title track is nominated for Song of the Year, while Carll will compete for Artist of the Year and his song “Kmag Yoyo” is vying for Song of the Year.

Rosanne Cash revealed the nominees, and guests were treated to music from The Civil Wars, Levon Helm and His Dirt Farmer Quartet featuring Jim Lauderdale, and then Cash backed by keyboard player Benmont Tench. Nashville Mayor Karl Dean and producer/songwriter T Bone Burnett were also present.

The 10th Annual Americana Music Association Honors & Awards is scheduled for Thursday, October 13 at the Ryman. The event is the cornerstone of the Americana Festival and Conference, which runs October 12-15 in Nashville.

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

Pictured at the event 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: Taylor Hill)