Well, we all can’t be so lucky to travel to Nashville this week and rub shoulders with the movers and shakers of all things Americana. The label folks, radio and press, musicians, bloggers, agents, managers and the rest. It seems like just a year ago that the last one took place, and it was nice to see this morning that some new and old names were honored at the award show this year. And the panel discussions this year seem really topical and helpful, although I hope nobody gets hurt too bad at the Outlaws & Gunslingers Luncheon today.
Last year, I ranted a bit that the AMA wasn’t very inclusive. Frankly, these past few years have felt to me like they could just rename the damn thing The Buddy Miller, Steve Earle and Other Old People Americana Music Association. But either I’ve lightened up or the association has re-addressed its value and commitment to the music community, because as conferences go…this year looks to be a gem.
Somewhere else on this site you can read Holly Gleason’s impressions of the awards show that took place. I love her writing, and its always a thrill to see her words here. But I was thinking about the rest of us, those not able to be with y’all this week. So, without even planning this as I’m writing, and not knowing if You Tube will cooperate with my vision, I thought I’d share some music from those that took home some awards.
Let’s kick it off from Instrumentalist of The Year, Dave Rawlings:
A lot of music to choose from for the Album of The Year: This One’s For Him: A Tribute to Guy Clark. I’m going for the poetry of the man, courtesy of James McMurtry.
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit takes the Song of The Year for “Alabama Pines”:
The Duo/Group of The Year was The Civil Wars. I chose this track because it’s a brilliant cover in choice and execution:
The Emerging Artist of The Year, the Alabama Shakes:
And the Artist of The Year, Gillian Welch:
Killing two birds, here is Bonnie Raitt who was honored a Lifetime Achievement Award for Performance, doing a Richard Thompson song, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting:
Finally, taking us out is the classic song and video from Booker T. Jones, Lifetime Achievement Instrumentalist, and his band The MG’s.
My hat is tipped to the Americana Music Association for this year’s conference and awards. Y’all done good.
