Americana Music Association Announces Nominees for 20th Annual Awards
Stacy Chandler
Posted On May 26, 2021
Clockwise from top left: Valerie June (photo by Renata Raksha), Amythyst Kiah (photo by Sandlin Gaither), The Highwomen (photo by Alysse Gafkjen), Sturgill Simpson (photo by Jim Brock), and Kathleen Edwards (photo by Remi Theriault)
The pandemic may have brought touring to a halt in the past year, but the music has gone right on, and the Americana Honors and Awards seek to recognize the cream of the crop, just as they have for the past 20 years.
Here are the nominees for this year’s awards, announced today by the Americana Music Association at Nashville’s new National Museum of African American Music. The eligibility period was April 1, 2020, through March 31, 2021. The winners will be honored in a Sept. 22 ceremony at the Ryman Auditorium, part of the association’s annual AmericanaFest event.
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Cuttin’ Grass, Vol. 1 (The Butcher Shoppe Sessions), Sturgill Simpson, produced by David Ferguson and Sturgill Simpson
J.T., Steve Earle and The Dukes, produced by Steve Earle
The Moon and Stars: Prescriptions for Dreamers, Valerie June, produced by Valerie June, Ben Rice, and Jack Splash
Reunions, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, produced by Dave Cobb
World on the Ground, Sarah Jarosz, produced by John Leventhal
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Brandi Carlile
Kathleen Edwards
Jason Isbell
Margo Price
Billy Strings
DUO/GROUP OF THE YEAR
Black Pumas
The Highwomen
Our Native Daughters
The War and Treaty
Gillian Welch and David Rawlings
EMERGING ACT OF THE YEAR
Charley Crockett
Amythyst Kiah
Joy Oladokun
Allison Russell
Waxahatchee
INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR
Megan Coleman
Robbie Crowell
Ray Jacildo
Philip Towns
Kristin Weber
SONG OF THE YEAR
“Black Myself,” Amythyst Kiah, written by Amythyst Kiah
“Call Me a Fool,” Valerie June featuring Carla Thomas, written by Valerie June
“Dreamsicle,” Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, written by Jason Isbell
“I Remember Everything,” John Prine, written by Pat McLaughlin and John Prine
“Long Violent History,” Tyler Childers, written by Tyler Childers
For a closer look at some of the nominated artists, see Amos Perrine’s Through the Lens column.
