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2021 Nominees announced...

21 Nov 2020 12:11 PM | Anonymous member

ANNOUNCING NOMINATIONS AND SPECIAL HONOURS FOR THE UK AMERICANA AWARDS 2021

ELVIS COSTELLO, STEVE EARLE, CHRISTINE MCVIE, JOHN PRINE AND MAVIS STAPLES TO BE RECOGNISED FOR THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS


“This is a most surprising award. I left home a long time ago and yet I have been welcomed into many American musical destinations of which I might, once, have only dreamed. As Conway Twitty once sang, "It's Only Make Believe" but I am thankful for this acknowledgement.” Elvis Costello 

WRISTBANDS ON SALE NOW FOR THE VIRTUAL AWARDS SHOW &JOHN PRINE TRIBUTE SHOW ON JANUARY 28TH, INCLUDING TWO DAYS OF AMERICANAFEST 2021  JANUARY 26TH & 27TH  HERE

On Tuesday we also revealed the nominations for the seven member-voted categories of the UK Americana Awards 2021, and also the winners of the coveted special awards presented by the AMA-UK board. The Awards show itself will be preceded by two evenings of showcases, featuring exciting international partners including Prince Edward Island, Thirty Tigers, Canadian Independent Music Association, North Carolina Music Export, Sounds Australia, Yep Roc and Loose Music from the UK.  

The special award recipients are: Elvis Costello for the AMA-UK 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award, Mavis Staples for the International Lifetime Achievement Award, Christine McVie for the Trailblazer Award, Steve Earle for the International Trailblazer Award. and the Songwriter Legacy Award, specially created this year for the late John Prine, in celebration of the legendary US singer-songwriter’s life and work. 

Speaking of her award, Christine McVie said: "My humble thanks to the UK Americana Awards for their generous acknowledgment of my music! So thrilled at this stage of my life that I am remembered. It's been my privilege to make so many people happy, so again, thank you very much, it means a lot to me."

 Mavis Staples commented: "I'm so honoured to receive the International Lifetime Achievement Award from the Americana Music Association UK. I think it's so important to have an association advocating for Roots Music in the UK, so to receive this award is really special. From Union Chapel to Glastonbury, some of my favourite places to sing are in the UK. I even recorded my last live album, Live in London, at Union Chapel! So, thank you. The UK holds a special place in my heart so to receive this Lifetime Achievement from the Americana Music Association UK really means a lot to me.“ 

"Honours received in Britain have always been special to me, I guess, because I never had to struggle to reach an audience on that Island. They got it. From day one” Steve Earle

In addition, the Bob Harris Emerging Artist Awards goes to Robbie Cavannagh and Demi Marriner, in recognition of their efforts to support fellow artists during the coronavirus pandemic, and the Grassroots Award goes to Music Venue Trust’s Mark Davyd and Beverely Whitrick. 

The award for the Best-Selling Americana Album by a UK artist, presented in conjunction with The Official Charts Company (OCC), will be announced in January.

On news of their award, Robbie Cavannagh and Demi Marriner said: 

"Earlier this year I won some free tacos at a local bar, and I thought I had peaked, but to then receive this incredible award and walk in the footsteps of so many fantastic artists and friends before me is truly the ultimate honour. Way better than tacos. To accept this award alongside my partner Demi makes it all the more special. Thank you so much to everyone at the AMA -UK  and of course to the incredible Bob Harris. Your support and friendship makes me truly feel like a valued artist in an industry that isn't always kind. “  Robbie Cavanagh 

"It is an absolute honour to win this award. I am a huge fan of everything Bob does and continues to do for this genre, and for all of the platforms and opportunities that the AMA-UK give. It is so awesome to be in this category alongside some of my favourite artists and bands that have previously won! It is a magical end to a pretty strange year."   Demi Marriner 

The nominations for UK and International Songs of the Year, Albums of the Year and Artists of the Year and UK Instrumentalist of the Year, voted upon by the AMA-UK membership, follow below, alongside further details of the AMA-UK Board special awards. Emily Barker, Laura Marling, Robert Vincent and Yola lead the way in the UK categories with two nominations each and Courtney Marie Andrews tops the international categories with a pair of nominations. Full list on nominations below.

All members can VOTE HERE until Dec 1st, you must be logged in to vote.

You Can JOIN HERE to vote  - members also get discounted wristband code in the members area 

UK AmericanaFest will be virtual in 2021. Although  AMA-UK board members realised that the coronavirus pandemic would make it impossible to host the event across venues in Hackney as they had very successfully for the past 5 years, they recognised more than ever the need to stay connected, for artists to enjoy vital showcase opportunities and for the community to celebrate the success of its award winners, all of which inspired the decision to proceed online. The Awards and showcases will be viewable across all devices and platforms via a unique UK AmericanaFest website. Further information to come.

“AmericanaFest UK is the ultimate celebration of Americana music in the UK and, in our sixth year, taking our programme online for the first time, we will also welcome a host of international names from Australia, Canada, and the US  Our line-up is one of the best yet, with two nights of showcases , culminating in our ever-popular UK Americana Music Awards on 28 January 2021. 

Throughout the shared trauma of the 2020 pandemic, the creative sector has been incredible in the way they helped keep others’ spirits high with their music. The Board of the AMA-UK is determined to create an event to bring us all together again.  Even if we can't travel and be in the same room, we can still gather in the same space online to celebrate those artists who have been brave enough to release music in recent months or used their platform for good causes. 

I am very excited for the event and also very humbled by the support and generosity of the music community during these times.  I, for one, cannot wait to see everyone at AmericanaFest 2021.” Stevie Smith CEO AMA-UK 

As always we are  focussing on mental health and wellbeing, with a new set of aims to include inclusivity and diversity. We are signed up to Keychange and will continue to have a 50:50 gender balance across everything we do. After the success of their two songwriting workshops hosted with Hackney Council Culture team, working firstly with elders and then the Windrush generation, AMA-UK is delighted to be hosting a third songwriting workshop, this time with NHS workers which will also be broadcast as part of the festival.

Nominations for the member-voted Awards: 

UK Instrumentalist of the Year

  • Anna Corcoran 
  • Lukas Drinkwater  
  • Martin Harley  
  • Michele Stodart 

UK Song of the Year

  • I Should Be On A Train by Ferris and Sylvester (Written by Issy Ferris and Archie Sylvester
  • Ain’t One Thing by Lady Nade (Written by Lady Nade )
  • Thin (I Used To Be Bullet Proof) by Our Man In The Field (Written by Alexander Ellis)
  • I Don't Wanna Lie by Yola (Written by Yola, Dan Auerbach, Bobby Wood)

International Song of the Year

  • Welcome to Hard Times by Charley Crockett (Written by Charley Crockett)
  • Brightest Star by Lilly Hiatt (Written by Lilly Hiatt) 
  • Already Dead by Austin Lucas (Written by Austin Lucas)
  • Hand Over My Heart by The Secret Sisters (Written by Laura Rogers, Lydia Rogers)

UK Album of the Year

  • A Dark Murmuration of Words by Emily Barker (produced by Greg Freeman)
  • Song For Our Daughter by Laura Marling (Produced by Ethan Johns, Laura Marling)
  • In This Town You're Owned by Robert Vincent (Produced by Ethan Johns)
  • Hannah White and The Nordic Connections by Hannah White (Produced by Hannah White and The Nordic Connections)

International Album of the Year

  • Lamentations by American Aquarium (Produced by Shooter Jennings)
  • Old Flowers by Courtney Marie Andrews (Produced by Andrew Sarlo)
  • That’s How Rumors Get Started by Margo Price (Produced by Sturgill Simpson with co-production by David R. Ferguson and Margo Price)
  • Expectations by Katie Pruitt (Produced by Michael Robinson, Katie Pruitt)  

UK Artist of the Year

  • Emily Barker  
  • Laura Marling 
  • Robert Vincent 
  • Yola 

International Artist of the Year

  • Courtney Marie Andrews 
  • Jason Isbell 
  • Gillian Welch and David Rawlings 
  • Lucinda Williams

All members can VOTE HERE until Dec 1st, you must be logged in to vote.

You Can JOIN HERE to vote  - members also get discounted wristband code in the members area 

Special Awards presented by the AMA-UK Board:

Best Selling Americana Album in conjunction with The Official Charts Company (OCC): to be announced in January 

AMA-UK works with The Official Charts Company to create the UK Americana Album Chart. The Best- Selling Americana Album Award is given to the best-selling Americana Album during the past year by a UK Artist. 

Lifetime Achievement Award recipient for 2021: Elvis Costello

The Lifetime Achievement Award is selected by the board members. Our highest honour is awarded to a UK artist, duo or group in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the Americana genre over the span of their career and life in music.

International Life Time Achievement Award recipient for 2021: Mavis Staples 

The International Lifetime Achievement Award is selected by the board members. Our highest honour is awarded to an International artist, duo or group in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the Americana genre over the span of their career and life in music.

Trailblazer Award recipient for 2021: Christine McVie 

The Trailblazer Award is selected by the board members. This special award celebrates a UK artist, duo or group that has taken an exceptional path, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps in developing the Americana genre.  

International Trailblazer Award recipient for 2021: Steve Earle   

The International Trailblazer Award is selected by the board members. This special award celebrates an International artist, duo or group that has taken an exceptional path, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps in developing the Americana genre. 

Songwriter Legacy Award recipient for 2021: John Prine 

This award was designed this year especially to celebrate the life and work of the legendary songwriter John Prine, who we sadly lost to Coronavirus this year.  The board want to recognise the importance of John Prine’s writing in shaping this genre to what it is today.

Bob Harris Emerging Artist Award recipients for 2021: Robbie Cavannagh and Demin Marriner  

The Bob Harris Emerging Artist Award is selected by Bob Harris OBE, and celebrates the breakthrough artist, duo or group that has particularly impressed the legendary music broadcaster throughout the year. This year’s Award goes to two artists who have shown the true spirit of community during the pandemic and made special efforts to support other artists during this difficult time. 

Grassroots Award recipients for 2021: Music Venue Trust - Mark Davyd and Beverly Whitrick

Selected by the board members, the Grassroots Award celebrates the sometimes un-sung heroes of the UK Americana scene. It is presented to individuals working in the industry (in a capacity other than as artists) who have made outstanding efforts to support Americana music from the grass roots up.

For more information:

Press – Claire Horton: claire@clairehortonpr.com

Radio & TV – Richard Wootton: richard@rwpublicity.com

The AMA-UK is looking to work with sponsors & partners. All enquiries: Romano Sidoli: romanosidoli@gmail.com

© Americana Music Association UK

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