09 November 2018
Newsdesk
The fourth annual UK Americana Awards will take place on Thursday 31st January 2019 at HackneyEmpire; its second year in this iconic venue. The Americana Music Association UK has chosen iconic singer, songwriter and musician Graham Nash OBE to receive its highest honour, the 2019Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition of his contribution to the Americana genre over the span of his career and life in music.
“It feels absolutely right that Graham Nash OBE will be accepting our Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019, joining past winners Richard Thompson and Robert Plant. Like them, Graham Nash certainly isn’t slowing down and he has toured both the US and UK in 2018. His prolific solo career spans five decades, alongside an incredible body of work with two iconic bands: The Hollies and international super group Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Nash wrote some of CSNY’s most memorable songs, including world-wide hits that remain part of our musical landscape. He has never shied away from using his voice for activism, with political and environmental messages often heard in his work. He is a wonderful icon for trans-transatlantic collaborations, proving once again that the core values of this music travel and mix to create a unique form that we call Americana.” - Stevie Freeman, CEO Americana Music Association UK
The Bob Harris Emerging Artist Award will be given to Acclaimed new London five-piece Curse Of Lono
“I’m thrilled and honoured to be hosting the 4th annual AMA-UK Awards at Hackney Empire and personally proud to announce that the powerful and mysterious ‘Curse Of Lono‘ will be the recipients of the Bob Harris Emerging Artist Award for 2019.” Bob Harris OBE Bob Harris OBE
"We are deeply honoured to receive the Bob Harris Emerging Artist Award from the AMA-UK. Bob is a broadcasting legend who formed the foundation of our musical upbringing and education. He has turned us onto more artists than anyone else and we are stunned to have been singled out by him in this way. Needless to say, we are incredibly grateful to Bob and the AMA-UK for this incredible honour.” Felix Becholsheimer, Curse of London
The announcements took place at the press launch for AmericanaFest UK 2019, held at The Borderline in London on 7th November and co-presented by US singer-songwriter Sunny Ozell and broadcaster Baylen Leonard.
The nominations shortlist for the seven membership-voted Awards was also announced (see overleaf) and the winners will be revealed at the fourth annual Awards show at Hackney Empire on Thursday 31st January 2019. The show will be hosted by legendary broadcaster Bob Harris and will feature performances from nominees and award winners, including Graham Nash and Curse of Lono.
The Awards show coincides with the fourth anniversary of the Official Americana Albums Chart, which was launched in 2016 by the Official Charts Company in partnership with the AMA-UK and is published each week on OfficialCharts.com. To celebrate the occasion, the best-selling UK Americana album of 2018 will berecognised with a special award.
The UK Americana Awards are part of AmericanaFestUK, a three-day event which will include daytime conferences with guest speakers Ray Benson from Asleep at the Wheel, John Oates. The Keynote speaker will be the highly acclaimed Rhiannon Giddens
“I’m very excited to see what the UK is doing with the genre of Americana, so I’m honoured to be the keynote speaker for 2019’s AMA-UK conference.”Rhiannon Giddens
There is a two night showcase festival on Tuesday 29th and Wednesday 30th January, featuring 48 artists playing in various venues around Hackney Central. Artists will include: Sam Lewis, GangstaGrass, Coco and the Butterfields, Days are Done, Martin Harley, The Luck, Birds of Chicago, Austin Lucas, Lucas and King , Jamie Freeman,Police Dog Hogan, Wild Ponies, Amy Speace, Martha L Healy, Noble Jacks, The Blue Highways, Caleb Caudle, Caroline Spence, Arkansas Dave, Nicki Bluhm, Mike Farris
Ethan Johns with the Black Eyed Dogs, The Hanging Stars, Neilson Hubbard, The Southern Companion, Bennett Wilson Poole , Beth Rowley, Smith & Brewer, Amber Rubarth, Sam Morrow , Treetop Flyers , Carson McHone, The Hungry Mothers, William the Conqueror, Michaela Anne , Trevor Moss & Hannah-Lou and more to be announced.
About the AMA-UK
The AMA-UK is a professional trade association representing and advocating for the voice of American roots music in the UK. Its membership comprises musicians, from the UK and overseas, plus professionals from all sectors of the music industry.
Previous recipients of our Special Awards have included Robert Plant, Mumford & Sons, Billy Bragg, Van Morrison, Richard Thompson and Albert Lee. The show is hosted by Bob Harris OBE and awards have been presented by Sir Patrick Stewart, Jools Holland, Bonnie Raitt, Chris Difford, Ricky Ross, Harry Shearer, Timothy B. Schmidt, Jim Lauderdale and Kiki Dee, amongst many others.
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 2019 recipient will be Graham Nash.
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 2019 recipient will be Joe Boyd
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 2018recipient will be Curse Of Lono
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 2019 recipient will be announced in January.
Grass Roots 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 2019 recipients are Immy Doman and Risa Tabatznik of The Green Note
UK Album of the Year
• All On Red by Orphan Colours (produced by Steve Llewellyn, Fred Abbott and Rupert Christie)
• Bennett Wilson Poole by Bennett Wilson Poole (produced by Tony Poole)
• Shorebound by Ben Glover (produced by Neilson Hubbard and Ben Glover)
• Treetop Flyers by Treetop Flyers (produced by Reid Morrison, Sam Beer and Laurie Sherman)
International Album of the Year
• By The Way I Forgive You by Brandi Carlile (produced by Dave Cobb and Shooter Jennings)
• MayYur Kindness Remain by Courtney Marie Andrews (produced by Mark Howard and Courtney Marie Andrews)
• Ruins by First Aid Kit (produced by Tucker Martine)
• The Tree of Forgiveness by John Prine (produced by Dave Cobb)
UK Song of the Year
• Be More Kind by Frank Turner (written by Frank Turner)
• Chicago by Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker (written by Josienne Clarke)
• Southern Wind by Dean Owens (written by Dean Owens and Will Kimbrough)
• Uh-huh by Jade Bird (written by Jade Bird)
International Song of the Year
• Hold Your Head Up High by Darlingside (written by Auyon Mukharji, Caitlin Canty and Donald Mitchell)
• Mockingbird by Ruston Kelly (written by Ruston Kelly)
• Rolling On by Israel Nash (written by Israel Nash)
• The Joke by Brandi Carlile (written by Brandi Carlile, Dave Cobb, Phil Hanseroth and TimHanseroth)
UK Artist of the Year
• Bennett Wilson Poole
• Ethan Johns
• Robert Plant
• The Wandering Hearts
International Artist of the Year
• John Prine
• Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real
• Mary Gauthier
• Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
UK Instrumentalist of the Year
• CJ Hillman
• Gwenifer Raymond
• Martin Harley
• Seth Lakeman
Footnote
AmericanaFestUK is a combined conference, awards show and showcasing music festival held in multiple venues around Hackney, London. Tickets are available to the public: a combined conference, awards and showcasing ticket, awards show only ticket, or a showcasing wristband with admission to 48 shows in four venues.
For more info visit theamauk.org/tickets
