Another batch of killer nominees.
Unlike the ACMs and CMAs, the Americana Awards have had a long history of nominating and subsequently awarding some of the best and brightest stars in both the alt. country and folk scene. With Sturgill Simpson, Charley Crockett, Billy Strings, The Red Clay Strays and Tyler Childers (who famously criticized the award show) all winning awards over the past five years, it’s clear that the Association has its finger on the pulse of what many consider the heart of today’s budding country, folk and Americana landscape.
Last year was no different as we saw Sierra Ferrell take home her second-straight Artist of the Year trophy, becoming just the third artist and first female artist ever to win in back-to-back years at the 24th annual Americana Music Honors & Awards.
Yesterday, the Americana Music Association (AMA) announced this year’s batch of nominees, and once again proved why they’re one of the best in the business.
Artist of the Year is jam-packed with talent, including the likes of Brandi Carlile, Molly Tuttle, Margo Price, Jesse Welles and Charley Crockett, who is fresh off the release of his sixth album, Clovis, over the past two years.
Though he’s clearly had his qualms with the ceremony and genre as a whole, Tyler Childers is once again nominated at the 25th Americana Awards, scoring an Album of the Year nod for Snipe Hunter. Here, he’s joined by the likes of Margo Price, Kathleen Edwards, S.G. Goodman and Ken Pomeroy.
Unsurprisingly, Duo/Group of the Year is arguably the most jam-packed with Turnpike Troubadours and Flatland Cavalry scoring nominations alongside Mumford & Sons, I’m With Her and Gillian Welch & David Rawlings. Though Flatland has been receiving love at mainstream country award shows, notably receiving three-straight Group of the Year nominations at the ACM Awards, it’s always great to see Turnpike receive some love for their generational work over the years.
Another fan-favorite in the alt. country scene, Kashsus Culpepper, scored his first-ever nomination, receiving a nod for Emerging Act of the Year alongside Pomeroy, Boy Golden, Crowe Boys and Mon Rovîa. As one of the most exciting new voices in the genre, complete with a blend of country, soul and blues, it’s a well-earned nomination for Culpepper.
It would also be remiss not to talk about Pomeroy and her two nominations for Album of the Year (Cruel Joke) and Emerging Artist. Though she hasn’t quite grabbed the attention compared to some of her contemporaries, she’s quickly proven herself to be one of the most underrated artists in today’s growing crop of talented female artists in the alternative scene.
The 25th Americana Honors & Awards will be held on Wednesday, September 16th at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Like years previous, it will take place during Americanafest, which runs from September 15-19.
A full list of nominees is as follows:
Album of the Year
Snipe Hunter – Tyler Childers
Billionaire – Kathleen Edwards
Planting by the Signs – S.G. Goodman
Cruel Joke – Ken Pomeroy
Hard Headed Woman – Margo Price
Artist of the Year
Brandi Carlile
Charley Crockett
Margo Price
Molly Tuttle
Jesse Welles
Duo/Group of the Year
Flatland Cavalry
I’m With Her
Mumford & Sons
Turnpike Troubadours
Gillian Welch & David Rawlings
Emerging Act of the Year
Boy Golden
Crowe Boys
Kashus Culpepper
Ken Pomeroy
Mon Rovîa
Song of the Year
“Returning to Myself” – Brandi Carlile
“Snapping Turtle” – S.G. Goodman
“Wild and Clear and Blue” – I’m With Her
“Heavy Foot” – Mon Rovîa
“The World’s Gone Wrong” – Lucinda Williams (feat. Brittney Spencer)
