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43-575: The Americana Music Honors & Awards is the marquee event for the Americana Music Association . Beginning in 2002, the Americana Music Association honors distinguished members of the music community. Six member-voted awards and several Lifetime Achievement Awards are handed out while over 2000 artists, music-loving fans and entertainment industry executives look on. The Honors & Awards have featured

86-479: A distinctive roots-oriented sound that lives in a world apart from the pure forms of the genres upon which it may draw. While acoustic instruments are often present and vital, Americana also often uses a full electric band." The origins of Americana music can be traced back to the early 20th century, when rural American musicians began incorporating elements of folk, blues, and country music into their songs. Americana musicians often played acoustic instruments such as

129-407: A driving rhythm that propels a song forward. The mandolin is a small, stringed instrument that is commonly used in folk and bluegrass music. Its bright, high-pitched sound adds a distinctive flavor to Americana music, and its fast, intricate playing can create a lively and upbeat feel. Mandolins are often played using a technique called tremolo , which involves rapidly picking the strings to create

172-475: A new style of Americana music that blended elements of rock, folk, country, and blues. Rolling Stone notes that "Americana" first came to fashion as a descriptive musical phrase in the mid-Nineties, when a group of radio promoters and industry outsiders dispersed throughout Nashville, California and Texas sought to carve out a distinct marketplace for a wave of traditionally minded songwriters like Guy Clark, Darrell Scott and Jim Lauderdale, artists whose work

215-577: A popular and commercial phenomenon begins with the career of The Weavers , formed in November 1948 by Pete Seeger , Lee Hays , Fred Hellerman , and Ronnie Gilbert of People's Songs , of which Seeger had been president and Hays executive secretary. The Kingston Trio , a group originating on the West Coast, were directly inspired by the Weavers in their style and presentation and covered some of

258-568: A recitation of his song-poem "Ragged Old Flag," before performing with June and their family. This was the last public performance the Cashes would ever give together. Over time, the fall event attracted larger groups of fans and industry conferees, and the organization formally changed the name of its event to the Americana Music Festival and Conference. By 2008, the event had expanded to four days and moved its Awards Show to

301-644: A result of the financial success of high-profile commercial folk artists, record companies began to produce and distribute records by a new generation of folk revival and singer-songwriters Phil Ochs , Tom Paxton , Eric von Schmidt , Buffy Sainte-Marie , Dave Van Ronk , Judy Collins , Tom Rush , Fred Neil , Gordon Lightfoot , Billy Ed Wheeler , John Denver , John Stewart , Arlo Guthrie , Harry Chapin , and John Hartford , among others. Some of this wave had emerged from family singing and playing traditions, and some had not. These singers frequently prided themselves on performing traditional material in imitations of

344-494: A sustained, shimmering sound. The fiddle is a traditional stringed instrument that is often used in Americana music. Its versatile sound can create both slow, mournful melodies and fast, lively rhythms. Fiddles are often played using a technique called "sawing," which involves rapidly moving the bow back and forth across the strings to create a driving rhythm. Fiddles can add a haunting quality to Americana music and can create

387-519: A variety of musical events, including Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash 's last live performance together. Artists such as The Carolina Chocolate Drops , Robert Plant & His Band of Joy , Steve Earle & Allison Moorer , Rosanne Cash and John Fogerty have also performed for the event, and special appearances by artists like Kris Kristofferson (2003), Loretta Lynn (2004/2014), Billy Bob Thornton (2005), Bonnie Raitt (2012/2016), Dwight Yoakam (2016) and George Strait (2016) demonstrate

430-421: A variety of non commercial radio stations. The acoustic guitar is perhaps the most essential instrument in Americana music. It is often used to provide the rhythmic foundation of a song, as well as to accompany vocals and other instruments. In Americana music, the acoustic guitar is often played fingerstyle , which produces a warm and organic sound that is perfect for the genre's earthy, rootsy feel. The banjo

473-761: Is KFAT in Gilroy, California, active from mid-1975 to January 1983, as described in the book Fat Chance , authored by Gilbert Klein in 2016 and published by MainFramePress.com. KFAT was succeeded by KHIP in Hollister CA, KPIG in Freedom CA, and Fat 99 KPHT-LP in Laytonville CA. Though some say Americana as a radio format had its origins in 1984 on KCSN ("college radio") in Northridge, California, but that did not happen until after KFAT, Gilroy went off

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516-415: Is a distinctive and essential instrument in Americana music. Its bright, twangy sound is instantly recognizable and often associated with Appalachian and bluegrass music also. Banjos are often played using a technique called clawhammer , which involves striking the strings with the back of the fingernail. The banjo adds a unique texture to Americana music, and its intricate, fast-paced playing can create

559-586: Is also available on the Americana Music Association's website. The inaugural UK AMA awards were presented by the UK Americana Music Association were held at St John at Hackney in London on 3 February 2016 and was hosted by Bob Harris and Ethan Johns . The second annual UK Americana awards were held on 2 February 2017 and the third awards were held on 1 February 2018. The fifth awards were held on 30 January 2020. The 2021 ceremony

602-729: The Americana Music Honors & Awards , typically held together in the fall. The association also manages and publishes radio airplay charts, publishes newsletters, conducts market research, and disseminates information about events in the Americana community. Founded in 1999, the association held its first convention at the Hilton Suites in downtown Nashville in September 2000, featuring performances by Sam Bush , Rhonda Vincent , Rodney Crowell , and Jim Lauderdale . The Americana Honors and Awards were added to

645-465: The Nashville -dominated industry for a more lo-fi sound, frequently infused with a strong punk and rock and roll aesthetic. Alternative country drew on traditional American country music, the music of working people, preserved and celebrated by practitioners such as Woody Guthrie , Hank Williams , and The Carter Family , often cited as major influences. Another major influence was country rock ,

688-522: The Newport Folk Festival on July 25, 1965, where he was backed by an electric band , was also a pivotal moment in the development of the genre. In the 1990s the term alternative country, paralleling alternative rock, began to be used to describe a diverse group of musicians and singers operating outside the traditions and industry of mainstream country music. Many eschewed the increasingly polished production values and pop sensibilities of

731-580: The UK Singles Chart . The single's success initiated the folk rock boom of 1965 and 1966, during which a number of Byrds-influenced acts had hits on the American and British charts. The term "folk rock" was itself coined by the American music press to describe the band's sound in June 1965, at roughly the same time as "Mr. Tambourine Man" peaked at number 1 in the U.S. The commercial success of

774-583: The guitar , banjo , fiddle , and upright bass , and their songs typically told stories about the struggles and hardships of everyday life. The American folk music revival began during the 1940s and peaked in popularity in the mid-1960s. The folk revival in New York City was rooted in the resurgent interest in square dancing and folk dancing there in the 1940s as espoused by instructors such as Margot Mayo , which gave musicians such as Pete Seeger popular exposure. The folk revival more generally as

817-405: The 1963 and 64 Newport Folk Festivals . For example, traditionalist Clarence Ashley introduced folk revivalists to the music of friends of his who still actively played the older music, such as Doc Watson and The Stanley Brothers . In the 1950s and 1960s, folk revival music began to evolve and incorporate elements of rock and roll and other popular music styles. Artists such as Bob Dylan and

860-529: The Americana Music Association's “Of The Year” categories typically runs from April 1 through March 31 of the following year. Only active members of the Americana Music Association may participate in the Nomination and Election process. The winners are announced at the annual Americana Music Honors & Awards show. Below is the Criteria for each of the following categories: All awards history information

903-533: The Byrds began blending traditional folk and country music with electric guitars and drums, creating a new sound that came to be known as folk rock . On January 20, 1965, the Byrds entered Columbia Studios in Hollywood to record Bob Dylan's acoustic tune "Mr. Tambourine Man" for release as their debut single on Columbia. The full, electric rock band treatment that the Byrds and producer Terry Melcher had given

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946-473: The Byrds' cover version of Dylan's "Mr. Tambourine Man" and their debut album of the same name , along with Dylan's own recordings with rock instrumentation—on the albums Bringing It All Back Home (1965), Highway 61 Revisited (1965), and Blonde on Blonde (1966)—encouraged other folk acts, such as Simon & Garfunkel , to use electric backing on their records and new groups, such as Buffalo Springfield , to form. Dylan's controversial appearance at

989-786: The Scorchers , and in the 1980s Southern Californian cowpunk scene with bands like the Long Ryders and X , and the Minneapolis-based band the Jayhawks . X signed with major label Elektra in 1982 and released Under the Big Black Sun , which marked a departure from their trademark sound. While still fast and loud, with raw punk guitars, the album displayed evolving country leanings. The Scorchers released their debut, D.I.Y. EP, Reckless Country Soul , in 1982 on

1032-512: The Weavers' material, which was predominantly traditional. The Kingston Trio's popularity would be followed by that of Joan Baez , whose debut album Joan Baez reached the top ten in late 1960 and remained on the Billboard charts for over two years. It was not long before the folk-music category came to include less traditional material and more personal and poetic creations by individual performers, who called themselves "singer-songwriters". As

1075-549: The air when it was sold and the format changed. Mark Humphrey, a contributor to country/folk Frets magazine, hosted a weekly radio show called "Honky Tonk Amnesia" which played "country, folk, honky tonk, cajun, dawg, blues, and old-time music", a combination that the country music station KCSN advertised as "Americana". The format came into its own in the mid-1990s as a descriptive phrase used by radio promoters and music industry figures for traditionally-oriented songwriters and performers. Americana type radio shows can be heard on

1118-428: The awards show also appeared on PBS nationwide during the special presentation "ACL Presents: Americana Music Festival 2012". Additional international radio broadcasts via BBC2 and Voice of America began airing September 23, 2012. Americana (music) Americana (also known as American roots music ) is an amalgam of American music formed by the confluence of the shared and varied traditions that make up

1161-498: The convention the following year. Americana icons Emmylou Harris , Billy Joe Shaver , and T-Bone Burnett were given lifetime achievement awards for performing, songwriting, and executive achievement, respectively. The 2001 convention also featured a surprise performance by Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash , with members of the Cash family. After being awarded the association's first "Spirit of Americana" Free Speech Award , Cash gave

1204-565: The cultural and social landscape of the United States, and it continues to reflect the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people. In recent years, the genre has incorporated more influences from blues, R&B, and soul, in addition to the country and folk elements that have always been prominent. In 2017 Rolling Stone published an article claiming that Americana was having an "identity crisis," which focused on changing definitions and efforts to promote ethnic diversity in

1247-652: The genre (which was somewhat of a niche, in the shadow of country and rock) and made it mainstream. In 2011, the genre was officially inducted into the Merriam-Webster dictionary. In modern times, Americana music continues to evolve and expand, as new generations of artists continue to draw inspiration from the rich history and cultural traditions of the United States. The instrumentation of Americana music continues to be characterized by acoustic guitars, fiddles, banjos, mandolins, and harmonicas, as well as electric guitars and drums. The genre remains deeply rooted in

1290-502: The genre. In 2014, traditional country musician Dale Watson formed the Ameripolitan Music Awards, focused on the genres of honky tonk , outlaw , Western swing , and rockabilly , on the premise that these genres can no longer be properly categorized as country or Americana, thus necessitating the creation of a new term, "Ameripolitan". The radio station laying the best claim to the Americana radio format origins

1333-423: The high harmony. Additionally, Richie Unterberger has stated that the song's abstract lyrics took rock and pop songwriting to new heights; never before had such intellectual and literary wordplay been combined with rock instrumentation by a popular music group. Within three months " Mr. Tambourine Man " had become the first folk rock smash hit , reaching number one on both the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and

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1376-635: The historic Ryman Auditorium . Previous musical performances at the conference have included Levon Helm 's Ramble at the Ryman , John Fogerty , Grace Potter , The Avett Brothers , The Civil Wars , Bonnie Raitt , Booker T. Jones , Richard Thompson , Alabama Shakes , Punch Brothers , John Fullbright , and Robert Plant with Buddy Miller . The Association's capstone event, the Americana Music Honors & Awards , aired live nationally on September 12, 2012, via AXS TV , broadcast via SiriusXM , WSM radio, and streamed by NPR.org . Musical segments of

1419-607: The independent Praxis label. But these styles merged fully in Uncle Tupelo 's 1990 LP No Depression , which is widely credited as being the first "alt-country" album, and gave its name to the online notice board and eventually magazine that underpinned the movement. In the 1990s and 2000s, Americana music underwent a resurgence in popularity, as a new generation of artists began incorporating elements of traditional American music into their songs. Artists such as Wilco , Lucinda Williams , and Gillian Welch helped to popularise

1462-619: The musical ethos of the United States of America, with particular emphasis on music historically developed in the American South . The term "Americana music" was defined by the Americana Music Association (AMA) in 2020 as "…the rich threads of country , folk , blues , soul , bluegrass , gospel , and rock in our tapestry."  A previous 2016 AMA definition of the genre included rhythm and blues , with additional comments that Americana music results "in

1505-437: The presentation of two honours. The second event was held on October 11, 2018, and featured Margo Price and Joshua Hedley as Americana Ambassadors. Americana Music Association The Americana Music Association was founded in order to advocate and provide a network for Americana artists and industry professionals. The Association produces the annual Americana Music Festival and Conference, known as AMERICANAFEST, and

1548-470: The prestige of the genre and awards show. The Honors & Awards show was first broadcast on national television in 2005. Also in 2005, SiriusXM , BBC2 , and Voice of America began broadcasting the show on radio. PBS began airing an abbreviated version during Austin City Limits in 2011. The Americana Honors & Awards Show returned to the historic Ryman Auditorium on September 12, 2012. It

1591-481: The result of fusing country music with a rock & roll sound. The artist most commonly thought to have originated country rock is Gram Parsons (who referred to his sound as "Cosmic American Music"), although Michael Nesmith , Steve Earle and Gene Clark are frequently identified as important innovators. The third factor was punk rock , which supplied an energy and DIY attitude . Attempts to combine punk and country had been pioneered by Nashville 's Jason and

1634-483: The song effectively created the template for the musical subgenre of folk rock . McGuinn's melodic, jangling 12-string Rickenbacker guitar playing—which was heavily compressed to produce an extremely bright and sustained tone—was immediately influential and has remained so to the present day. The single also featured another major characteristic of the band's sound: their clear harmony singing , which usually featured McGuinn and Clark in unison , with Crosby providing

1677-476: The style of the source singers whom they had discovered, frequently by listening to Harry Smith 's celebrated LP compilation of forgotten or obscure commercial 78rpm "race" and "hillbilly" recordings of the 1920s and 30s, the Folkways Anthology of American Folk Music (1951). A number of the artists who had made these old recordings were still very much alive and had been "rediscovered" and brought to

1720-512: The world, was formed in 1999. It is a network for Americana artists, radio stations, record labels, publishers, and others with the goal of developing an infrastructure that will boost visibility and economic viability. The 2010s saw several musical groups connected with Americana music finding their way on to the Billboard charts. Bands like Mumford and Sons , The Lumineers and The Avett Brothers helped bring contemporary Americana to more people than ever before. Their popularity as artists took

1763-783: Was held virtually on 29 January due to the COVID-19 pandemic . The 2022 ceremony was held at the Hackney Empire and was hosted by Harris and Baylen Leonard on 26 January 2023. The inaugural annual Australian American Music Honours Night, a celebration of Australian roots music, was held on October 2, 2017. The ceremony, which was televised on the Country Music Channel in early 2018, featured performances from many of Australia's top roots performers alongside Valerie June and Old Crow Medicine Show who acted as "US Americana Ambassadors". The inaugural ceremony also featured

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1806-403: Was no longer being served by a country music industry riding high on Garth Brooks and Shania Twain. This new style of music reflected a renewed interest in traditional American music forms, and it helped to establish Americana music as a distinct and important genre in its own right. The Americana Music Association, a not-for-profit trade organization advocating for American Roots Music around

1849-503: Was once again hosted by Jim Lauderdale , while the All Star Band was led by Buddy Miller . The 2012 Honors & Awards show was aired live on AXS TV and later aired on Austin City Limits on PBS and replayed on AXS TV. Lauderdale stepped down from hosting duties after the 2017 ceremony and the 2018–19 Honors & Awards were hosted by The Milk Carton Kids . The show did not include a host in 2021. The eligibility period for

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