For the Association, of the many highlights of the 4 day shindig, the biggest highlight is the awards show and ceremony held annually at the Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville. Affectionately called "The Mother Church of Country Music", it is a historical landmark where music history continues to be made.
The last column in this space was my quick, Coles/Cliff's Notes version of my predictions on the award recipients. Clearly, being nominated means a lot. It's an acknowledgement of ones accomplishments over the course of the past year, while showing confidence in ones promise for the next year and many years to come.
The winners at this years awards show are most deserving. Personally, I'm quite thrilled to say I was right on all counts, except two.
Ryan Bingham was the nights big winner, and that's not shocking. Picking up trophies for Song of the Year, along with T Bone Burnett, for "The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)" and Artist of the Year had to be expected. The song is also an Oscar winner, and the Crazy Hear soundtrack that Bingham is a large part of has sold a boatload of copies. If the Academy is going to honor the Ryan Bingham, the Americana Music Association was going to follow suit. And rightly so. Mr. Bingham's involvement with that sound track did as much for the Americana genre as the O Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack 8 years ago. The producer for both albums, T Bone Burnett, was rightfully honored as well with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Both talented individuals are the torchbearers for this genre and will be for many years to come.
Album of the Year honors went to another legend, Roseanne Cash for The List. The history of this album is well known. When she was 18 years old, father Johnny Cash wrote out a list of 100 classic country songs and told his soon-to-be-famous daughter that if she wanted to be a successful singer/songwriter in the music business, that she needed to learn those songs. And boy, did she. The List contains such interpretations of I'm Moving On, 500 Miles Away From Home and the Grammy winning performance with Bruce Springsteen, Sea of Heartbreak. It is a fantastic album and if you have not picked up a copy, I encourage you to do so. Great, great material.
Instrumentalist of the Year is the always wonderful Buddy Miller. Buddy will be on tour this fall with Robert Plant, leading the Band of Joy. Produced by T Bone Burnett, Robert Plant and the Band of Joy will have their album released on Rounder records this Tuesday, September 14. No doubt, it will be a great piece of music that is not to be missed.
Texas singer/songwriter Hayes Carll has been around for a little while in his home state, but is now finally getting the recognition he deserves on a national level, as Mr. Carll takes home the New and Emerging Artist of the Year. I must confess I'm not as familiar with Hayes Carll's material as I would like to be, but the material I have researched is fantastic. I will be following this man's career more closely in the future and I can safely say he is a very deserving recipient of this award. Expect big things in the coming years from Hayes Carll.
Another winner that I am looking forward to learning more about are the Avett Brothers, winners of the Group or Duo of the Year. The Brothers, riding on their success of 2009 release "I and Love and You", have been touring across North America and Europe relentlessly for the past two years. On October 5, 2010, The Avett Brothers will release their latest album on Columbia records called Live Vol. 3. Sneak peaks are available on their web site now, by all means check these guys out.
Lifetime achievement awards were handed out John Mellencamp, T Bone Burnett, Wanda Jackson, label executive Luke Lewis, instrumentalist Greg Leisz, singer/songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter and record producer Brian Ahern.
Perhaps the coolest thing that took place at this awards show, happened after the awards show. To the surprise of the audience, veteran awards show host Jim Lauderdale announced at the conclusion of the awards show that there was a band setting up to perform selections from their forthcoming album. Within a matter of moments Robert Plant and The Band of Joy took to the Ryman stage and gave the audience a sneak peek of what can be expected when they go on tour this fall and when the album is released this Tuesday. It is moments like that, that make me so happy that I am a music fan. For me, even hearing that took place is a small rush.
Congratulations to all the winners and nominees at this years Americana Music Association Awards. The future of this business and this genre is burning bright. I'm excited about the possibilities for the coming year and I look forward to attending next year's Festival and Conference.
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