We are proud to present the full film made of our Songwriting with the Hackney Elders as part of our 2020 Collaborate and Cross Pollinate conference. Thanks to everyone involved, the writers, the elders, the coaches, the volunteers, the film makers and especially those who helped fund the film.

As part of the 2020 Collaborate and Cross Pollinate conference theme we held a very special inter-generational songwriting workshop with six AMA-UK members and 5 older residents of Hackney with songwriter coaches Fiona Bevan and Maz O'Connor. Thanks to Cecil Sharp House and Hackney Council for partnering with us on this project. Songwriting with Hackney Elders is a workshop idea conceived by Stevie Freeman, CEO of The Americana Music Association UK 

AmericanaFest UK are incredibly honoured to announce that Shingai will sing a song as chosen by Joan Armatrading at this years awards show, this is following her inclusion within the BBC Four documentary Joan Armatrading: Me Myself I. Drawing on her Zimbabwean and Bantu heritage, Shingai will take to the stage at the awards ceremony with her distinctive and unique vocal style and charming presence.

"Joan is a trailblazer who paved the way for countless musicians, impacting the way people produce and make music. She defined what was expected of her as a black female musician, inspiring the world, breaking boundaries and pushing the industry forward as a whole." 

Shingai is the platinum-selling front woman and bassist from Noisettes.  Music from her latest EP ‘Ancient Futures’ was described by Annie Mac (BBC Radio 1) as “Brilliant, bonkers pop” and quoted by Arwa Haider (BBC Culture) as one of "the Key music trend of the past decade".

We are delighted to have The Secret Sisters at this years conference;

Transitions to independence - Not many artists would have the perseverance to carry on from being dropped from their major label record deal, filing for bankruptcy and having to start from scratch but sisters Laura and Lydia did, earning their first ever Grammy nomination as a result. Forging a remarkable and poetic comeback, The Secret Sisters will talk with BBC Radio Ulster's Ralph McLean about their tumultuous journey to a healing independence and what means to them.

Buy delegate passes here 

This year we are hosting a very special intergenerational song writing workshop as part of our conference subject 'Collaborate and Cross Pollinate'.  This will involve elderly life long residents from Hackney, London and songwriting artists from our membership.  We will be pairing you up to write a song about the lives of the Hackney residents and as life long Londoners, there will be 6 pairings. We have partnered with Cecil Sharpe House who are allowing the songwriters to access their archive of traditional folk songs about London ahead of the workshop.  We will be making a short film of the whole process to show at  the conference, this will include;  the writing process, the research, and have talking heads interviews with both the elders and the writers.  There will be professional songwriters Fiona Bevan and Maz O'Connor,  who will be on hand  to guide the process and help you with your song. 

We feel this will be a really moving event for all involved, for the elders to be able to talk about their lives and to see their memories 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 song writing experience, you will need to be able to write songs using a guitar and to bring a guitar with you  - be aware that your partners in this process are not artists or song writers.  You will need to be able to be in London for two days on the 14th and 15th of January, you will have to arrange your own transport and accommodation.  We will in return give you a free three day delegate pass for AmericanaFest UK 28th, 29th and 30th January 2020, which includes the conference, the showcase festival and the awards show ticket.

If this is something for you please log in and fill out the application form (applicants close on Dec 22)

Would you like to be a volunteer at AmericanaFest UK? please log in to the members area and fill out this form HERE

We are thrilled to announce that we will have two music icons "In conversation" at our annual conference this year - We're sure you will join us in our excitement to have Judy Collin and Bob Harris discussing their life in music.

A true pioneer and prolific artist, Judy Collins started her career as a 13 year old piano prodigy and her passion has not stopped in the five decades that have followed. Judy has produced no less than 55-albums some of which have earned her many accolades, including Grammy Awards, and she continues to inspire generation after generation. Navigating the ebb and flow of the music business, Judy shares her experiences and passions not only through music but in literature and films. She is a true collaborator and speaking with ''Whispering Bob" Harris OBE will share with us a life in music, one which we can all draw inspiration from.

Delegate passes HERE

UK Americana Awards 2020

UK Instrumentalist of The Year

• Ben Smith
• Jim Maving
• Siân Monaghan WINNER
• Will Page

UK Song of The Year

• Little Piece of Heaven by Elles Bailey (written by Elles Bailey, Bobby Wood and Dan Auerbach WINNER
• The Fire by Jamie Freeman (written by Jamie Freeman and Ben Glover) 
• Hear Your Voice by Danni Nicholls  (written by Danni Nicholls and Kyshona Armstrong) 
• Amy by Roseanne Reid  (written by Roseanne Reid)

UK Album of The Year

• Here There’s No Sirens By Pete Gow  (produced by Joe Bennett )
• Chasing Lights By Ida Mae  (produced by Ethan Johns)
• Bleeding on the Soundtrack By William the Conqueror  (produced by Ethan Johns)
• Walk Through Fire By Yola  (produced by Dan Auerbach) WINNER

UK Artist of The Year

• Jade Bird
• Bear’s Den
• Frank Turner
• Yola WINNER

International Song of The Year

• Turn Off The News (Build A Garden) By Lukas Nelson & Promise of The Real  (written by Lukas Nelson & Promise of The Real)
• Letter to MadelineBy Ian Noe (written by Ian Noe)
• Saying GoodbyeBy J.S. Ondara  (written by J.S. Ondara)
• Me and The Ghost of CharlemagneBy Amy Speace  (written by Amy Speace) WINNER

International Album of The Year

• Undress By Felice Brothers (produced by Jeremy Backofen) 
• The Highwomen By The Highwomen (produced by Dave Cobb) WINNER
• Songs Of Our Native Daughters  By Our Native Daughters (produced by Rhiannon Giddens and Dirk Powell)
• Mint Condition By Caroline Spence (produced by Dan Knobler)

International Artist of The Year

• Brandi Carlile WINNER
• The Dead South 
• Larkin Poe
• Mavis Staples

Special Awards 

Lifetime Achievement Award 

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. The 2020 recipient is Joan Armatrading

Trailblazer Award 

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. The 2020 recipient is Nick Lowe

Bob Harris Emerging Artist Award 

Selected by Bob Harris OBE, this special award celebrates the breakthrough artist, duo or group that has particularly impressed the legendary music broadcaster throughout the year. The 2020 recipient is Ferris & Sylvester

Best Selling Americana Album 

AMA-UK works with The Official Charts Company to create the UK Americana Album Chart. This Award is given to the bestselling Americana Album by a UK Artist.The 2020 recipient is Jade Bird with her album Jade Bird 

Grassroots Award 

Selected by the board members, this special 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. The 2020 recipient is Mark Whitfield from Americana-uk.com

Two special awards for our fifth year anniversary were the Legend Award to Lonnie Donegan and the Outstanding Contribution Award to Whispering Bob Harris OBE

AmericanaFest UK Kick-off: Americana Clash!

In the late 1970's The Clash met Texan rocker Joe Ely, and the result was an explosive marriage of punk and Americana! Celebrate this extraordinary story with a night of Clash songs played by some incredible guest artists including... 

Tickets ON SALE NOW!

Frank Turner
The Wandering Hearts
Grace Petrie
Danny Wilson
Kyshona
Judy Blank
Irish Mythen
Elles Bailey
Peter Bruntnell
Felix (Curse Of Lono)
Terra Lightfoot
Lady Nade
Ferris & Sylvester

Hosted by Ralph McLean

Proceeds go to Joe Strummer Foundation and Hackney Winter Night Shelter

VENUE Oslo, Hackney. DATE: Monday 27th Jan 2020

Presented in association with our partners Austin City Limits Live and Visit Austin.

Keynote Speaker 2020 AMA-UK Conference announced... 

“Joan Armatrading is a very important, ground breaking, multi award winning artist and we are absolutely thrilled and honoured to announce her as the keynote speaker at our conference in January 2020” Stevie Freeman CEO AMA-UK

Born in St Kitts on December 9th 1950 and moving to England when she was seven, Joan took her first musical steps on her mother's piano. Although her father had a guitar it was strictly out of bounds so when Joan saw one for £3 in a pawn shop she bought it.  Joan soon taught herself to play and began writing her own songs at the age of 14.  Three time grammy nominee and two time BRIT nominee Joan Armatrading has released 19 studio albums during the incredible career spanning over 46 years - The Americana Music Association UK could not be more proud to have her as the keynote speaker at our annual conference  for 2020

Get your DELEGATE PASSES HERE members don't forget to log in to access member discounted passes 

Places are strictly limited, please log-in to see event and RSVP  - FREE entry but only 50 member tickets available 

Press and Industry please contact directly for guest-list