The Americana Music Association has announced this year’s slate of Lifetime Achievement Award honorees for its 18th annual Americana Honors & Awards show on Sept. 11. This group of top-honor recipients includes Felice and Boudleaux Bryant (President’s Award), Elvis Costello (Songwriting), Delbert McClinton (Performance) and Maria Muldaur (Trailblazer). Mavis Staples will be making her Honors & Awards debut as the Association recognizes her incomparable career.

As previously announced, Rhiannon Giddens and the late Frank Johnson will both be honored with the inaugural Legacy of Americana Award, presented in partnership with the National Museum of African American Music. Staples and this year’s honorees will be celebrated at the prestigious ceremony held at the Ryman Auditorium, which serves as the hallmark event of the association’s 20th annual AMERICANAFEST, taking place Sept. 10-15 in Nashville.

“We are beyond humbled to honor this group of incredibly venerable musicians,” said Jed Hilly, Executive Director of the Americana Music Association. “All of these artists are luminaries in their own right and have helped to build a perennial foundation for Americana music to prosper as an art form today. Our community looks forward to welcoming them with open arms on our biggest night of the year in September.”

In addition to these top Lifetime Achievement Awards, the association also honors distinguished members of the music community with six member-voted annual awards, revealing the winners on Americana music’s biggest night at the Ryman Auditorium. View this year’s nominees here.

The 2019 President’s Award will be posthumously given to Felice and Boudleaux Bryant, a groundbreaking husband-and-wife pairing who were known as Nashville’s first professional songwriting team. Felice had dreamed of her fateful encounter with her soon-to-be husband Diadorius Boudleaux Bryant when the two first met in 1945. The songwriting power couple went on to pen almost 6,000 songs together over the next three decades, selling over 200 million records with cuts by the Grateful Dead, Roy Orbison, Simon & Garfunkel and most notably, the Everly Brothers. With timeless classics like “Bye Bye Love” and “All I Have to Do Is Dream” under their belts, it’s no surprise that the Bryants’ musical contributions have also been largely recognized with inductions into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Elvis Costello, this year’s recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting, is well-known for his unapologetically fervent approach to lyrics. Since his pub-rock debut in the late ‘70s, Costello’s punk moxie and ability to meld an array of influences have made him one of the most innovative songwriters to come along since Bob Dylan. Backed by his famous band the Attractions, he quickly made a name for himself with albums that dove into several genres from garage-rock and reggae to soul and more. Costello’s solo endeavors have found him collaborating with T Bone Burnett, Paul McCartney and the late Allen Toussaint. Whether he was exploring a rootsier palette alongside Burnett, practicing classical compositions with the Brodsky Quartet or self-producing with the Imposters, this incomparable songwriter’s musical versatility is anchored by his distinctive take on love and politics, running an unmistakable common thread throughout his body of work.

Nobody knows how to light up the stage quite like multi-Grammy winner Delbert McClinton, who will be receiving the 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award for Performance. From his early bands The Straitjackets and The Rondels to his current iteration with the Self-Made Men + Dana, he continues to sell out concert halls coast to coast. Following his rise as a prominent figure in the flourishing Texas music scene of the mid-‘70s and ‘80s, McClinton’s impact ultimately expanded beyond state lines. The roots music veteran began his highly lauded career as a professional harmonica player before becoming a formative artist who has since recorded award-winning as well as chart-topping works, including his funk-inflected staple “Giving It Up for Your Love” (1980). McClinton has graced many distinguished stages throughout the last six decades, lending his palpable energy and dynamic stage presence to performances on Saturday Night Live and Austin City Limits, to name a few. As Lyle Lovett lovingly puts it, “If we could all sing like we want to, we’d all sound like Delbert McClinton.”

After coming up through the folk music revival of the 1960s, Maria Muldaur, this year’s Americana Trailblazer Award recipient, performed with a handful of groups including Jim Kweskin & The Jug Band where she became instrumental in reinvigorating Appalachian roots music and preserving its place outside of the great American songbook. After their disbandment and a divorce from her then-husband Geoff who was also in the group, she found an opportunity to reassess her own artistic vision. In 1973, Muldaur’s solo debut signaled the start of a promising path for someone who was willing to carve out her own space in the music industry, beginning with her Grammy-nominated classic, “Midnight at the Oasis.” What followed was a fruitful journey that saw Muldaur delving into the growing umbrella of Americana music, seamlessly switching lanes from folk and country to gospel and blues with masterful ease. The latter became a particular sweet spot that’s led to critically acclaimed collaborations with blues titans Dr. John, Bonnie Raitt and Mavis Staples. Today, Muldaur continues to charm audiences by sharing passionate matters of the heart with her alluring voice.

2007 “Spirit of Americana” Free Speech Award Honoree Mavis Staples will be recognized at this year’s Americana Honors & Awards as the Association celebrates her nearly seven-decade career and inspiration as an enduring pillar of hope and justice. Since her breakthrough as a family member of the uplifting gospel group The Staple Singers during the divisive Civil Rights Movement to her revered solo career today, the 80-year-old soul icon understands what it means to carry on. Staples has constantly used her commanding voice—both in action and in song—to instill perseverance in listeners across multiple generations, while also reminding America that the fight for true equality is still alive and well, and so is she. The Kennedy Center Honoree’s latest album, “We Get By,” serves as a touchstone for her timely message of love, faith and joy.

As previously announced, Rhiannon Giddens and the late Frank Johnson, a pioneering American folk musician and brass band leader from the Antebellum era, will be honored with the inaugural Legacy of Americana Award. In partnership with the National Museum of African American Music, this new award aims to shine a light on both of these musicians’ unparalleled influences on American roots music.

Tickets for the Americana Honors & Awards are exclusively available for purchase by AMERICANAFEST Conference Registrants. For more information on the association or to purchase passes to AMERICANAFEST, please visit americanamusic.org.

 

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame announced its Class of 2019 Wednesday morning (Aug. 7). Dwight Yoakam, Larry Gatlin, Rivers Rutherford, Marcus Hummon, Sharon Vaughn and Kostas Lazarides will be formally inducted during the awards show on Oct. 14, to be held at Nashville’s Music City Center.

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame was launched in 1970 and includes more than 200 inductees, including Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks and more.

Washington, D.C.-born Marcus Hummon has enjoyed a successful career as a songwriter, recording artist, producer, studio musician, playwright and author.  A diplomat’s son, Marcus spent his youth in Africa and Italy.  After several years playing in various bands, he found his way to Nashville.  As a songwriter, Marcus has co-written hits such as “Cowboy Take Me Away” and “Ready To Run” by The Dixie Chicks, “Born To Fly” by Sara Evans, “One Of These Days” by Tim McGraw, “Only Love” by Wynonna, “The Cheap Seats” by Alabama and “Love Is The Right Place” by Bryan White.  “Bless The Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts earned Marcus a 2005 Grammy for Best Country Song, as well as NSAI Song of the Year.  A 2007 version by Selah w/ Melodie Crittenden, was a Top 5 Christian song and earned NSAI’s 2007 Song of the Year.  Marcus has written an opera (Surrender Road, staged by The Nashville Opera Company in 2005) and six musicals, three of which were featured as part of the New York New Musical Festival in 2005, 2006 and 2011 respectively.  Marcus has scored two films: Lost Boy Home and The Last Songwriter, a documentary that he co-produced.

Kostas Lazarides was born in Thessaloniki, Greece.  When he was seven years old, his family immigrated to Billings, Montana.  Fascinated by music, the only child was drawn early to the songs of Buddy Holly and the Everly Brothers.  As a youth, Kostas began slipping into local honky-tonks to play with live bands.  By the early ’70s, he was performing his original songs on the Northwest club circuit and had built a solid following.  After nearly two decades of modest success one of his songs crossed the desk of producer Tony Brown, who was searching for material for Patty Loveless.  In 1989, Loveless recorded Kostas’ “Timber, I’m Falling In Love,” making it his first cut, first single and first chart-topping song.  Loveless would later take more Kostas songs to the Top 10:  “The Lonely Side Of Love,” “On Down The Line” and “Blame It On Your Heart,” which was named the 1994 BMI Country Song of the Year.  Other Kostas hits include “Ain’t That Lonely Yet” and “Turn It On, Turn It Up, Turn Me Loose” by Dwight Yoakam, “Going Out Of My Mind” and “Love On The Loose Heart On The Run” by McBride & The Ride, “Lord Have Mercy On The Working Man” by Travis Tritt and “I Can Love You Better” by the Dixie Chicks.  He was named 1989 NSAI Songwriter of the Year.

Born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Rivers Rutherford began his musical education at the age of seven, when he took up the piano and guitar.  At age 15, he was hired to play piano on the Memphis Queen riverboat. From there he played clubs on Beale Street before attending the University of Mississippi on a piano scholarship.  A songwriting workshop with producer/writer Chips Moman led to a publishing contract and later to a first cut with The Highwaymen.  In 1993, Rivers moved to Nashville.  A staff songwriting deal followed three years later and by 1998 a string of hits began: “Shut Up And Drive” by Chely Wright, “If You Ever Stop Loving Me” by Montgomery Gentry, “Ladies Love Country Boys” by Trace Adkins, “Living In Fast Forward” by Kenny Chesney, “Real Good Man” by Tim McGraw, “Stealing Cinderella” by Chuck Wicks, “These Are My People” by Rodney Atkins, “Unconditional” by Clay Davidson and “When I Get Where I’m Going” by Brad Paisley w/ Dolly Parton.  His co-written “Ain’t Nothing ’Bout You” by Brooks & Dunn was named the 2002 ASCAP Country Song of the Year.  Rivers was named 2006 ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year.

Sharon Vaughn is a Florida native whose first notable success as a songwriter came in 1976 when Waylon Jennings recorded her “My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys” on country’s first platinum album, Wanted: The Outlaws.  (Willie Nelson’s version would top the charts in 1980.)  Sharon’ first hit single was with The Oak Ridge Boys’ 1977 smash “Y’all Come Back Saloon.”  Since then, Sharon has written more than a dozen Top 40 Country hits, including “Broken Promise Land” by Mark Chesnutt, “Til A Tear Becomes A Rose” by Keith Whitley & Lorrie Morgan, “I’m Not That Lonely Yet” by Reba McEntire, “Lonely Too Long” by Patty Loveless, “Out Of My Bones” by Randy Travis, “Powerful Thing” by Trisha Yearwood and “Trip Around The Sun” by Jimmy Buffett & Martina McBride.  In 2008, Sharon provided Pop tunes to famed American Idol alumni Clay Aiken and Jon Peter Lewis.  She has lived and worked for years in Stockholm, Sweden, where her song “Release Me” by Agnes became a hit in over 40 countries.  In addition to more than 100 cuts over the past several years, Sharon has also written songs for musical theatre.

Larry Wayne Gatlin began his musical career at age 7 singing Gospel music in West Texas with his younger siblings.  After college, Larry joined the Imperials and was performing with them in Las Vegas when he was discovered by Dottie West.  Once she heard his songs, she sent him a plane ticket to Nashville and signed him to her publishing company.  His early songs were recorded by West, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Elvis Presley (“Help Me”) and Johnny Rodriguez (“I Just Can’t Get Her Out Of My Mind”); however, as an artist himself, Larry had 28 self-penned hits reach the Top 20 between 1975 and 1990.  The vast amount of Larry’s catalog is solo-written.  Among his signature songs are “All The Gold In California,” “I’ve Done Enough Dyin’ Today,” “Statues Without Hearts,” “I Just Wish You Were Someone I Love,” “Night Time Magic,” “Houston (Means I’m One Day Closer To You),” “The Lady Takes The Cowboy Every Time” and “Broken Lady” (1976 Grammy for Best Country Song).  Larry starred on Broadway in The Will Rogers Follies in 1993.  In recent years, his Gospel songs have been recorded by many artists.  Larry was inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006 and the Texas Heritage Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2007.

Dwight Yoakam was born in the coal mining community of Pikeville, Kentucky, and raised in Columbus, Ohio.  During high school, he took part in the music and drama programs; also singing and playing guitar in a variety of local bands.  After graduation, he briefly attended Ohio State University before dropping out to move to Nashville in the late 1970s.  When Dwight’s brand of modern honky tonk failed to mesh with the pop-oriented “Urban Cowboy” climate of the time in Music City, he moved to Los Angeles.  There he met a kindred spirit in guitarist Pete Anderson.  Their edgy band found success in the city’s rock and punk clubs.  By the mid-1980s, Dwight had signed with Reprise Records.  When his debut album, produced by Anderson, was released in 1986, it launched him to stardom.  Throughout his career Dwight has written most of the songs on most of his albums.  His credits as a songwriter/artist include “Guitars, Cadillacs,” “Little Ways,” “Please, Please Baby,” “I Sang Dixie,” “I Got You,” “It Only Hurts Me When I Cry,” “Try Not To Look So Pretty,” “A Thousand Miles From Nowhere,” “Fast As You” and “You’re The One,” also recorded by Flatt Lonesome and named the 2016 IBMA Song of the Year.

Dan Rogers has been promoted to the newly created role of Vice President and Executive Producer of the Grand Ole Opry from his current position as Director of Communications and Show Producer. In his new role, Rogers will oversee production of the show and its more than 200 performances annually, including lineups, publicity, programming and member relations.

Rogers joined the company in 1999 and has been a near-constant presence backstage ever since. He has held many support roles for the Opry in marketing, communications, artist relations and production. As part of his new position, Rogers will continue his responsibilities for communications and overall show production and will have greater responsibilities in talent relations and logistics.

“The Opry is the crown jewel of our entertainment business,” said Scott Bailey, president of Opry Entertainment Group. “As we considered who could fill this important and unique position, Dan was the clear choice. He has the respect of his colleagues, our leadership and our Opry membership as well as the passion and acumen needed to steward the Opry toward its centennial.”

“The Grand Ole Opry has felt like home to me since I began my Opry career two decades ago,” said Rogers. “There is nothing more important to me than making certain the home of country music is uniquely poised to showcase great artists to fans around the world. I could not be more appreciative to those I have learned from along the way, and I am extremely excited about working alongside Gina Keltner and Jordan Pettit to create unforgettable shows; Barb Schaetz and our operations team; our world-class technical team; the country music community and everyone else who makes the Opry so special.”

In addition to Rogers, the Grand Ole Opry and Opry House leadership team includes Barbara Schaetz, Vice President, Business Operations, Grand Ole Opry House; Gina Keltner, Director of Talent and Logistics; and Jordan Pettit, Director of Artist Relations and Programming Strategy.

Opry Entertainment Group has opened the search for a Senior Vice President, Programming & Artist Relations. This position will lead and manage artist and industry relations for the company’sgrowing portfolio of media, digital content and entertainment assets as well as the recent joint venture with Gray Television that is set to launch a linear television and digital SVOD service dedicated to artist-driven country lifestyle programming in early 2020.