Americana Music Association announces Lifetime Achievement Honorees

Lucinda Williams, Gregg Allman, Jerry Douglas, Rick Hall, and Bob Harris will be honored by the Americana Music Association with Lifetime Achievement Awards at the AMA’s Honors & Awards show Thursday, October 13th, at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.

Singer-Songwriter Lucinda Williams receives the Lifetime Achievement for Songwriter honor. She continues to influence countless others with her roots-grounded sound.

Gregg Allman receives the Achievement for Performer. He has captivated audiences since his early days with The Allman Brothers Band, and continues to lead the charge of genre-melding Southern-bred rockers.

Master of the dobro, Jerry Douglas receives the Lifetime Achievement for Instrumentalist. Douglas is equally revered for his solo work, session playing, and as a longtime member of Alison Krauss and Union Station.

Rick Hall will receive the Lifetime Achievement for Executive award. Hall earns the honor with his groundbreaking production work at FAME Studios, recording Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Etta James, The Osmonds, and Bobbie Gentry.

Bob Harris is a celebrated radio host and journalist. He will receive the Trailblazer Award.

The Honors & Awards is the main event of the Americana Music Association’s Festival and Conference, running October 12-15 in Nashville. Jim Lauderdale will again serve as master of ceremonies for the Honors & Awards, while Buddy Miller will lead an all-star house band. Among the other artists attending are Robert Plant and the Band of Joy, Hayes Carll, The Civil Wars, Elizabeth Cook, Justin Townes Earle, Jessica Lea Mayfield, The Secret Sisters, and more to be announced.

A limited number of awards show tickets, $35 and $65, are available through the Ryman Box Office or ryman.com.

Americana to be recognized at the Grammys

I was pleased to see the news that the Grammys will be adding an "American Roots Music" category to their awards show.

The category is: FIELD 13
American Roots Music Category -
. Americana Album
. Bluegrass Album
. Traditional Blues Album
. Contemporary Blues Album
. Traditional Folk Album
. Contemporary Folk Album
. Hawaiian Music Album
. Native American Music Album
. Zydeco or Cajun Music Album