Isbell Owns The AMAs Again
The Milk Carton Kids hosted the annual
awards gala at the Ryman, Sept. 12,
with musical support by Jerry Douglas’
All-Star Band. In coordination with
AmericanaFest, the Country Music Hall
of Fame featured Q&A chats with Ray
Benson, Robert Earl Keen, Billy Joe
Shaver, Jerry Pentecost and author Bill C.
Malone. Of course, there were seminars
and panels of experts offering insight into
aspects of the genre, which seemingly
comprises elements of country, folk, soul
and roots music. As one of Nashville’s
highly-recognised educational music
industry forum, events were being
taped by both CMT and National Public
Television. In addition to artists, there
were managers, label reps, radio, TV
and print media, along with publishers,
L-R: Brandi Carlile, Irma Thomas, Courtney Marie Andrews, Tanya Blount and Michael Trotter, Jr. of The War and Treaty, Ann McCrary of The McCrary Sisters
agents, promoters, retailers, and
merchandisers enthusiastically hanging in there six days. Vying
Americana artists made waves in Music City (Sept. 11-16), at the
for Artist of the Year were Brandi Carlile, Jason Isbell, Margo Price
Westin-Nashville Hotel, as artists and fans alike assembled for
and John Prine; and competing for best duo or group were: Jason
a series of showcases, club appearances and climactic awards
Isbell & The 400 Unit, I’m With Her, Lukas Nelson & Promise of
presentation. AmericanaFest’s keynote address was by k.d.
the Real, Nathaniel Rateliff & Night Sweats. In the running for best
lang, who also accepted a Trailblazer Award, while kindred soul
new act were Courtney Marie Andrews, Tyler Childers, Anderson
Rosanne Cash was honoured with the Spirit of Americana Free
East and Lilly Hiatt. Best Album prospects: Margo Price’s “All
Speech Award. Other performers participating included Lee
American Made”; Jason Isbell’s “Nashville Sound”; Mary Gauthier’s
Roy Parnell, John Prine, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, John Oates, Mary
“Rifles & Rosary Beads”; and Brandi Carlile’s “By the Way, I Forgive
Gauthier, Buddy Miller, Brandy Clark, John Carter Cash, Sarah
You.” (By the way, Dave Cobb produced both Carlile and Isbell’s
Siskind and Will Hoge during what The New York Times labeled
albums.) All artists nominated for Best Song had a hand in writing
“The coolest music scene today.”
their entries: Margo Price’s “A Little Pain”; Lee Ann Womack’s “All
Amazing special events were Australia’s Americana Vanguard
the Trouble”; Brandi Carlile’s “The Joke”; and Jason Isbell’s “If We
Honors program, boasting names like Margo Price, Brian Wise,
Were Vampires.” Musicians seeking Best Instrumentalist this year
Shane Howard, Diesel, Joshua Hedley, Little Georgia, Kasey
were Daniel Donato, Brittany Haas, Jerry Pentecost or Molly Tuttle.
Chambers, Alan Pigram; also Emmylou Harris’s “Woofstock”
Incidentally, Bud dy Guy received the Lifetime Instrumentalist
fundraiser fostering canine-care, benefitting from such guests
trophy, and Irma Thomas the Lifetime Achievement Performer
as Jamey Johnson, Jerry Douglas, Lee Ann Womack John Hiatt,
Award. Indeed it proved a memorable week, augmented by the
Tommy Emmanuel, John Paul White and Ashley Monroe; plus
entertainment presented in some 60 local venues.
an advance peek at producer Ken Burns’ iconic new “Country”
documentary.
AMA Winners
Album of the Year: The Nashville Sound, Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit
Artist of the Year: John Prine
Song of the Year: If We Were Vampires, Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit,
written by Jason Isbell
Duo/Group of the Year: Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit
Emerging Artist of the Year: Tyler Childers
Instrumentalist of the Year: Molly Tuttle
“Spirit of Americana” Free Speech Award: Rosanne Cash
Americana Trailblazer Award: k.d. lang
Lifetime Achievement Award for Instrumentalist: Buddy Guy
Lifetime Achievement Award for Performance: Irma Thomas
Jack Emerson Lifetime Achievement Award for Executive: Cris
Williamson and Judy Dlugacz
Childers Wants To Know
the Secret Recipe
Tyler Childers caused some constanation
by questioning the meaning of the term
“Americana” during his acceptance speech
for his Emerging Artist of the Year award.
Dressed like Col. Sanders, he echoed
the views of many a country fan when he
said, “As a man who identifies as a country music singer, I feel
Americana ain’t no part of nothin’. It is a distraction from the
issues that we are facing on a bigger level as country music
singers. It kind of feels like ‘Purgatory’.”
OCTOBER 2018 - cmp 5