2019 Americana Honors & Awards Nominees: Females Dominate Artist Of The Year Category

(L-R:) Top Row: Brandi Carlile, Rhiannon Giddens, Kacey Musgraves, (L-R:) Bottom Row: John Prine, Mavis Staples, Tedeschi Trucks Band

Kacey Musgraves, Brandi Carlile, Mavis Staples and Lori McKenna are among the just-announced nominees for the upcoming 18th annual Americana Honors & Awards. The Americana Music Association announced the nominees from the rehearsals of Mavis & Friends: Celebrating 80 Years of Mavis Staples, and this year’s nominations were revealed by previous Duo/Group of the Year winners The Milk Carton Kids and special guest Mavis Staples, who received a nod in the association’s coveted Artist of the Year category.

“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.”

The Americana Music Association is recognizing achievement by the females in the genre in a big way, with an all-women lineup of nominees in the coveted Artist Of The Year category. Brandi Carlile, Rhiannon Giddens, Kacey Musgraves, and Mavis Staples are all nominated for the honor.

Notably, Dave Cobb produced three of the four projects nominated for Album of the Year, including Amanda Shires‘ “To The Sunset,” Lori McKenna‘s “The Tree,” and John Prine‘s “The Tree of Forgiveness.” The Dan Auerbach-produced project “Walk Through Fire,” from Yola, is also nominated.

The winners of each category will be announced during the Americana Honors & Awards on Wednesday, Sept. 11 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. The celebrated program is the hallmark event of AMERICANAFEST, which runs from Sept. 10-15, 2019.

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

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Lorie Hollabaugh

Hollabaugh, a staff writer at MusicRow magazine, has over 20 years of music business experience and has written for publications including American Profile, CMA Close Up, Nashville Arts And Entertainment, The Boot and Country Weekly. She has a Broadcast Journalism and Speech Communication degree from Texas Christian University, (go Horned Frogs), and welcomes your feedback or story ideas at lhollabaugh@musicrow.com.

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