UK AMERICANA AWARDS 2017
THURSDAY 2ND FEBRUARY – ST JOHN AT HACKNEY, LONDON
ALBERT LEE TO RECEIVE THE TRAILBLAZER AWARD
WILDWOOD KIN TO RECEIVE THE BOB HARRIS EMERGING ARTIST AWARD
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Grammy-winning guitarist Albert Lee will receive the Trailblazer Award from The Americana Music Association UK (AMA-UK) Board at this year’s UK Americana Awards for his contribution to the genre over his long and storied career.
“I discovered American country music in the late 50’s and even though I primarily made my living playing R&R and R&B, I never lost my love for the honesty of country. I was certainly an odd man out during this period when the blues was the most popular genre. My perseverance payed off after I moved to California and my playing was finally recognized. It was during this period that I joined Emmylou Harris and Hot Band and played and recorded with many great country artists. It’s an amazing honor to receive the Americana Trailblazer Award for my continued joy in playing.”
Albert Lee
The Bob Harris Emerging Artist Award will go to Wildwood Kin, the acclaimed Anglo-Americana trio from Devon featuring sisters Emillie and Beth Key and their cousin Meghann Loney.
“We were totally bowled over when we heard about the award; What a huge surprise and privilege. Massive thanks to Bob Harris for the support and belief in what we do – it really means the world to us and we are so excited to be involved and honoured in this way.” Wildwood Kin
Ethan Johns has been confirmed as musical director, once again, for the Awards show at St John at Hackney on February 2nd and his band will join him as the house band. The show will be hosted by legendary broadcaster Bob Harris and will feature performances from nominees and award winners, including Lifetime Achievement Award winner Richard Thompson. The nominations shortlist follows.
The awards show also coincides with the first anniversary of the Official Americana Albums Chart, which was launched this year 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 2016 will be recognised with a special award.
The UK Americana Awards are part of AmericanaFest UK, a two-day event which will also include an evening of showcases on Wednesday 1st February featuring 20 bands playing in various venues around Hackney and daytime conferences on both days.
AMERICANA UK AWARDS 2017 NOMINEES
UK Album of the Year
Ghost by Lewis & Leigh (produced by Matt Ingram)
Mockingbird Lane by Danni Nicholls (produced by Chris Donohue)
Nos Da Comrade by Peter Bruntnell (produced by Peter Bruntnell)
Palomino by Treetop Flyers (produced by Treetop Flyers)
International Album of the Year
A Sailor’s Guide To Earth by Sturgill Simpson (produced by Sturgill Simpson)
American Band by Drive-By Truckers (produced by David Barbe)
Angeleno by Sam Outlaw (produced by Joachim Cooder and Ry Cooder)
Midwest Farmer’s Daughter by Margo Price (produced by Alex Munoz and Matt Ross-Spang)
UK Song of the Year
‘Mr Sunshine’ by Peter Bruntnell (written by Peter Bruntnell and Bill Ritchie)
‘Silver Liner’ by Ethan Johns & the Black-Eyed Dogs (written by Ethan Johns)
‘Tend To The Thorns’ by William the Conqueror (written by Ruarri Joseph)
‘The 4:19’ by Lewis & Leigh (written by Al Lewis and Alva Leigh)
International Song of the Year
‘Dust’ by Lucinda Williams (written by Lucinda Williams)
‘Hands of Time’ by Margo Price (written by Margo Price)
‘Somebody Save Me’ by Cale Tyson (written by Cale Tyson)
‘Welcome To Earth (Pollywog)’ by Sturgill Simpson (written by Sturgill Simpson)
UK Artist of the Year
Bear’s Den
Billy Bragg
Lewis & Leigh
Yola Carter
International Artist of the Year
Margo Price
Mary Chapin Carpenter
Richmond Fontaine
Sturgill Simpson
UK Instrumentalist of the Year
CJ Hillman
Dave Little
Henry Senior
Kirk Bowman
Lifetime Achievement Award
Richard Thompson
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, both from the UK and overseas, plus professionals from all sectors of the music industry.
At the inaugural UK Americana Awards earlier this year, Billy Bragg received the UK Americana Trailblazer Award, and presenters at the prestigious show included Bonnie Raitt, Chris Difford, Elizabeth McGovern and Ricky Ross.
