Each year the highlight of the Americana Music Association’s “Americanafest” is the “Americana Honors and Awards” night.
If you read Part 1, you know that this year, “Americanafest” is going on virtually as “Thriving Roots,” Sept. 16-18. The “Honors and Awards” Ceremony is still currently scheduled to take place at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on Sept. 16.
The big question in my mind is: Who will win “Artist of the Year?” There’s some tough competition in this category!
There’s Yola, who was nominated in 4 categories at the 2020 Grammy Awards and won UK Artist of the Year and UK Album of the Year for “Walk Through Fire” at the UK Americana Awards.
Brittany Howard
Performs
(November 26, 2019)
And Brittany Howard? She had 2 Grammy Nominations this Year for Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song for “History Repeats.” She is up for Album of the Year for her debut solo studio album, “Jaime” and Song of the Year for “StayHigh.”
Brandi Carlile
Live At The Village Studios
(February 9, 2018)
And what about Brandi Carlile, 2019’s Artist of the Year winner? She’s nominated this year as a member of the Highwomen for best Duo/Group. They are also up for Album of the Year. Brandi’s also nominated 2 times as a writer in the Song of the Year category. To top that off, she’s also nominated in the Album of the Year category as producer for Tanya Tucker’s “ While I’m Livin’.”
And speaking of Tanya Tucker, this legend is also up for Song of the Year for “Bring My Flowers Now” (Written by Brandi Carlile). and of course, previously mentioned Album of the Year, “While I’m Livin’.”
And speaking of legends, there is John Prine who we lost this year to COVID-19 at the age of 73. Somehow, it doesn’t seem right for him NOT to win.
They’re ALL great! It’s enough to make your head spin! “Right ‘round like a record...” (Oops, wrong genre!) Can’t they ALL just win?! I’m glad I don’t have to be the one to choose!
All the categories and nominees for the 19th annual Americana Honors & Awards can be found here.
