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

All members are eligible to VOTE in the seven member voted categories.  One vote p/member p/category,  The email used for voting must match the one your membership is registered under or your vote will not be counted. Voting will close on Dec 1st at Midnight UK time.

You will need to be logged in to VOTE HERE

if not yet a member JOIN HERE (you can then also get discounts on your wristbands) 

Good Luck Everyone 

Go to DICE to buy your EARLY BIRD wristbands now 

Members LOG IN for your discount code 

applications now closed

This will be our third songwriting workshop - each one has had a different focus and outcome, first one was about intergenerational connections with Hackney Elders group, we then held a workshop with Hackney Windrush Generation and this time we are reaching out to NHS staff who live in the borough.

Our festival for 2021 is called 'Staying Connected’ During 2020 we have all experienced a very traumatic year, for our artist members their industry has all but fallen away, but as creatives, we have found ways to deal with the emotion and stress through sharing music and connecting with fans on social media. We all joined in and cheered and clapped for our NHS heroes at the start of the pandemic and then when that stopped we didn’t forget that the work continued, the sick carried on being cared for and NHS workers have gone beyond the call of duty to keep us safe, we want to find a way to give back in the best way we know-how.

We found with the past two workshops that it was a very cathartic experience for all, some saying they felt like they had been on holiday. Once the songs were performed, we could see how emotional it was for them and also from the feedback we found it had helped them to deal with some life trauma, experiences, and things they hadn’t been able to express before - the medium of 'song' was something that enabled them to share poetically without it being too heavy and still be meaningful to the listener. We now want to share this experience with NHS workers and hope we can make it another really powerful event for all involved.

There will be 6 pairings - so 6 artist songwriters will be selected from our membership and then paired with 6 NHS staff from the borough of Hackney. Due to social distancing, we will carry out the workshop on Zoom through various group sessions and individual songwriting sessions. The NHS staff do not need to worry about performing the song as this will be done by the co-writer - the final songs will all be performed and released on YouTube.

We feel this will be another moving event for all involved, for the NHS staff to be able to talk about their lives and experiences, see them transformed into songs and for our songwriters to experience writing songs on subjects that are not directly their own stories. If this idea sounds like something you would like to take part in then please apply below - spaces are very limited so please let us know why you think you should be chosen. You will need to demonstrate that you have songwriting experience, you will need to be able to write songs using a guitar and to be aware and sensitive to the fact that your partners in this process are not artists or songwriters. You will need to be able to be available to carry out this workshop in the first week on December 2020, then be able to perform and record your song ready for Youtube by the start of January 2021. We will in return give you a free three-day wristband for AmericanaFest UK and the UK Americana Awards ONLINE 26-28th January 2021, you will be given £150 towards expenses and time.

SHOWCASE APPLICATIONS OPEN 

As you know AmericanaFest UK 2021 will be a little different this time around  as we are going to take our festival online.  We want to make sure we host the best showcase festival we can to ensure you get the opportunity to play in front of industry and music fans.  We also want to showcase the best of emerging and established talent from our Americana communities from the UK and beyond

There will be showcases from multiple guest hosts from across the USA, Canada and further afield, along side our UK showcases which will be happening in multiple formats but all streamed onto a specially designed online festival site, which members and music fans can buy wristbands to attend the three day event. Details on wristband purchases to follow soon.

Due to the way our world now functions, setting plans in stone is quite hard as we just do not know what things will look like in January!  But If you want to apply to showcase then the basic thing you have to be able to commit to at this stage is being able to film a top quality, great sounding set from a venue or unique stage setting  - it may be that we discuss coming to venues in Hackney to film nearer the time but we can not confirm this yet.  So be open to this discussion happening at the point of us making the offers.

LOG IN TO APPLY HERE

If you are not yet a members then JOIN NOW and then log in and apply in the members area 

Dear Members and Supporters, 

What is it that the AMA-UK and its members do best? I feel it is that we create and sustain a community of artists, industry and fans to appreciate and grow a vibrant genre of music - live and recorded.

For the past 5 years in January, we have gathered in Hackney, London, and we have learnt, laughed, and maybe cried (I know I have); we have celebrated and, most of all, we have connected. AmericanaFest UK has welcomed visitors from across the UK, EU, USA, Canada and Australia and it is the most joyous of weeks. It sets us up for the year ahead – the festivals, the stages, the tours, the releases….

When we gathered this past January we had no idea that in just a few weeks time, these plans and aspirations for 2020 would be pulled right out from underneath us by a global pandemic. In the past seven months we have all suffered from the effects of lockdown, social distancing and everything that has come with it. We have also learnt, rested, and mourned – but we have adapted and kept on creating, because that is what we do in the sector... We create.

We have deliberated - believe me, our board has met many times - and we have discussed and planned and changed our plans and replanned, each time a new regulation, an ease in lockdown, or a tightening of the rules has happened. We wanted to make sure we did the best possible thing for you, our members. So eventually we had to make a final decision. Now we have… and we could not be more excited for it.

AmericanaFest UK 2021 will go ONLINE and we will STAY CONNECTED. Our community will gather and we will celebrate, discover and appreciate the artists and our community.

• We will have showcases to give artists the opportunity to be seen and heard

• We will host the awards to celebrate our talented artists and performers

• We will hold a charity event to raise much needed money for mental health awareness

• We will have online drop in parties and workshops from guests in the UK and from across the globe

All of this will be over 3 days and evenings and all for one wristband (charity event will be a separate ticket)

But most of all we shall gather and we shall connect and we shall plan because when we can come back to our stages and fields, it’s going to be the biggest party ever and we need to be ready! 

So what happens now? 

• Nominations process opens on Oct 1st  (Click here > for nomination process)

• Voting opens on Nov 17th after the Launch event (read about voting here >)

• Applications to showcase will open soon, so make sure you are receiving member emails. You have to be a member to apply to showcase (JOIN HERE >)

More news will be reaching you on a regular basis over the next few weeks so get involved, encourage others to do so too - the bigger our community, the stronger we are and, when we are strong, we survive  and thrive!

Be Kind, stay safe

Stevie Smith 

Sounds of Storytellers – Thirty Tigers

This week Thirty Tigers is launching a campaign to champion the great storytelling artists from the UK online,  who are working musicians who live to play and play to live.

With the pause on live music, artists and labels have taken to social platforms to promote their music. From livestreams to online festivals to guitar tutorials to Q&As, fans have been able to engage with their favourite artists in ways they might never have done before.   However the loss of the live performances and engagement has many consequences.  

Also  the impact of the 'new normal' on physical sales is clearly felt by artists, so it's more important than ever for fans to support their favourite artists elsewhere in the digital space. To bring more fans to streaming platforms, Thirty Tigers has created the 'Sounds of Storytellers' playlist, featuring artists from our UK community as the initial emphasis.     Thirty Tigers has signed up 6 UK artists over the past two years and wants to encourage the music community to listen and follow the genre and to provide a starter platform to gain online fans more easily.    Having successfully been at the forefront of the digital sales development in the US for this community,  turning the attention to the UK and Europe starts with the homegrown artists. 

The playlist launches this week and will be supported by an online #storytellers, #listentothestorytellers campaign to drive listenership and encourage follows. Be sure to listen and follow HERE, and if you or your artist has been featured then we encourage you to join the campaign, sharing the playlist and the hashtag. 

The initial playlist includes songs from the following artists  : 

Emily Barker

Robert Vincent

Ida Mae

The Rails

John Smith

Black Eyed Dogs

Lucy Rose

Laura Marling

Dean Owens

Red Sky July

Smith & Brewer

Yola

Danni Nicholls

Ferris & Sylvester

Bears Den

William The Conqueror

Morganway 

Treetop Flyers 

Teddy Thompson 

Billy Bragg

Wildwood Kim

Laura Oakes 

Danny & The Champions of The World 

Curse of Lono

Robert Plant 

Megan O'Neill

Thank you so much to The Brooklyn Americana Festival for having us open the festival 

Thank you to the festival artistic director Jan Bell for selecting the lineup  Sons Of Owen, Hannah White, Izzie Walsh, The Blue Highways and Hollie Rogers.

If you missed it, don't worry because luckily you can watch it again here ...

"We want to join in with the celebration of our national treasure Bob Harris OBE.  Bob has been on our radios and screens for a very long time, and this year he is celebrating 50 years in Broadcasting! Bob was instrumental is setting up the AMA-UK back in 2012 and he has presented the UK Americana awards for the past 5 years  - Bob Harris has always supported grassroots artists and this is why we have named the annual emerging artist award the 'Bob Harris Emerging Artist Award' - here are the five winners to date with a little message on what it means to them to have support from such a legend.  Congratulations Bob on your 50th anniversary  - here’s to many more to come."  Stevie Smith CEO AMA-UK

"We want to join in with the celebration of our national treasure Bob Harris OBE.  Bob has been on our radios and screens for a very long time, and this year he is celebrating 50 years in Broadcasting! Bob was instrumental is setting up the AMA-UK back in 2012 and he has presented the UK Americana awards for the past 5 years  - Bob Harris has always supported grassroots artists and this is why we have named the annual emerging artist award the 'Bob Harris Emerging Artist Award' - here are the five winners to date with a little message on what it means to them to have support from such a legend.  Congratulations Bob on your 50th anniversary  - here’s to many more to come. " Stevie Smith CEO AMA-UK

"Being the inaugural recipient of the AMAUK Bob Harris Emerging Artist Award meant everything to me, it still does. It's given me confidence to continue to push myself as an artist with the backing of such gargantuan name in music". Robert Vincent Emerging Artist winner 2016

“It was such an honour for us as a band to receive  Bob Harris’ emerging artist award from AMA-UK back in 2017. We felt so much support from Bob during that time and we’re still so thankful for the ongoing encouragement that he has continued to express over the years since. We hope to always do Bob proud in our musical endeavours going forward.” Wildwood Kin  Emerging Artist winner 2017

'It was the most overwhelming experience to be recognised by Bob with his emerging artist award at the AMA-UK Awards in 2018. Receiving the accolade in the early days of the band meant the world to us (it's Whispering Bob after-all, cmon!) and it helped crystallise in our minds that we were following the right path. Thank you Bob for believing in us! You’re a true legend. " The Wandering Hearts, Emerging Artist winner 2018

Receiving the AMAUK Bob Harris Emerging Artist Award last year was one of the highlights of our combined musical careers. Nobody makes records in order to pick up an award but, getting the nod from one of the biggest names in British broadcasting history, a man who has unwittingly guided our musical tastes from the very beginning, will take some beating. Bob Harris is a legend, an inspiration and a national treasure and we are deeply humbled to have received his ultimate seal of approval." Curse Of Lono, Emerging Artist winner 2019

"Being chosen as Bob’s Emerging Artist for the 2020 AMA-UK Americana Awards has been one of the biggest honours of our career. It’s a rare and incredible thing for someone who is held in such a high regard as Bob to support, nurture and champion new artists like ourselves. We were just so thrilled to be recognised by such a legend. Thank you Bob and your wonderful family for believing in us right from the start. And congratulations on half a century of shaping the face of music."  Ferris & Sylvester, Emerging Artist winner 2020

Listen. The album made for lockdown

After two years of twists, turns and a whole lot of hard graft we were absolutely ecstatic to finally be releasing our americana and mental health-inspired album, Listen, at a sold-out album launch. Little did we know that COVID-19 was lurking just around the corner and that it would throw our release, as well as those of many other musicians we know, into a tailspin. With a house full of merchandise, inclusive of our first-ever vinyl release, the performances and tours we had spent the time organising and curating started to slowly disappear from our much-loved live calendar; not an ideal situation when you have made the album of your career.

Enter lockdown. You start to notice cracks in the walls that you were always too busy to see and before you know it, weeks have passed and there's been a tremendously unexpected shift deep within; you feel as though you have accomplished nothing and that everything is going wrong as you sit amidst the towering stacks of your greatest creation that is sitting aimlessly in the boxes it came in. It really is a bitter pill to swallow . . . until you shift that limiting paradigm.

Live streaming! Something we had always been able to do yet never really ventured into. Of course, as musicians, we prefer performing to people who are in the same room as we are, however, everything we had to learn as quickly as we did seriously opened doors we never even realised were there. From bitrates and frame rates to streaming software and guerilla marketing, we were able to develop our knowledge in so many ways. Also, the positives that came from engaging with our audience in this way were just phenomenal! We managed to raise a significant amount of money to put back into our locality to support those who were most vulnerable and were able to provide a fun and entertaining way for people who were feeling isolated to be able to connect; it actually became less about our new album release and far more about positive mental health in our community.

Giving priority to mental health is why we then decided to stop broadcasting live streams after a short and, fortunately, successful stint; we had been due a break and realised that we didn't always have to live up to the expectations that came from being a musician in a suddenly locked-down world and that we could use the time afforded to us to recoup. After a little discomfort and adjustment, we decided to take some time and spend it on 

enjoying things we had forgotten we liked doing so much; cooking, painting, gardening, walking . . . creating only for ourselves. It was great and provided us with the mental space we needed to rest after many years of rigorous performing and promoting; it also really helped us refocus our attention towards applying the new skills learned to the next chapter of our musical journey.

We have already made plans to continue engaging with our audience via our website, Facebook Live and Zoom; all of these platforms are so malleable and lend themselves very well to interactive video and conferencing projects and we look forward to creating more exclusive and exciting content going forward. We are also getting more of an opportunity to collaborate with others through webinars, panels, live streams and online performances . . . we have lots in store! Hopefully, you will be able to join us and experience the intention behind our music along the way; we are happy to know that it has already in some way helped so many people through this difficult and uncertain situation we are all living in. So, why not give it a 'Listen'?

Thanks for reading everybody; we wish you a safe, happy and healthy journey!

Lynzy & Vivienne
The Coaltown Daisies

Social Links
Website: www.thecoaltowndaisies.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thecoaltowndaisies
Instagram: www.instagram.com/thecoaltowndaisies

YouTube: www.youtube.com/thecoaltowndaisies
Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/50OgcBlJRWwe8gqYFRVfwJ