Already a staple event in the media calendar, the UK Americana Awards press launch was once again held at the quirky O’Meara club in London. An intimate and authentically unique venue, the UK Americana world throws open its arms and welcomes you from the moment you step into the door. The inviting but also commercially savvy touches, like the branded photography backdrop together with accompanying photographer, ensure that the attendee is focussed on the event in hand.
The opening gambit, presented by Stevie Smith of the Americana Music Association UK (AMA-UK), was followed in short order by a sweet opening song from US artist, Erin Rae who doubled up as award announcer, alongside fellow American, Amethyst Kiah. If Erin Rae is a new name to you, think early Ashley Monroe, a soft and slightly husky voice with interesting lyrics and a new album released on the 8th November! Together the ladies announced the pre-showcase award winners, alongside the nominees who will be vying for the prizes come awards night on 26th January 2023. Scroll down for a full list of the early award winners and nominees.
Music for the rest of the evening was provided by Native Harrow, the London based popular duo who have been earning accolades for their live performances across the UK, and the Treetop Flyers. The former Glastonbury Festival Emerging Talent winners showed their professionalism with an energetic and well received set, leaving everyone with a smile on their face and a spring in their step!
The UK Americana Music Week itself returns, after a covid-enforced break, to Hackney in London from January 23rd to 26th 2023. It is the UK’s biggest celebration of American roots music – from blues to bluegrass; gospel to folk; alt. country to Southern rock – and features an impressive array of showcases, industry panels and special events, all rounded off by the prestigious UK Americana Awards Show at the Hackney Empire on January 26th.
New sponsor, the Alabama Tourism Department ‘Sweet Home Alabama’, who also sponsor the UK’s Official Americana Chart, are the headline partners for the week’s events, coming on the back of a year which saw the opening of the Orion Amphitheatre in Huntsville, the state’s major new 8000 capacity venue.
Tickets for January’s awards event are available now: https://hackneyempire.co.uk/whats-on/the-uk-americana-awards-2023/
For delegate passes, giving access to the AMA-UK Annual Conference, showcase events and the awards event, and for wristbands giving enry to all the showcase venues on 24th and 25th January, head to the AMA-UK website: https://theamauk.org
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 2023 recipient will be Mike Scott of The Waterboys
International Lifetime Achievement Award
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. The 2023 recipient will be Judy Collins.
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 2023 recipient is TBA
International 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 2023 recipient will be Nickel Creek
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 2023 recipient will be The Hanging Stars
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 best-selling Americana Album by a UK Artist. The 2023 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 2023 recipient is Ralph McLean, BBC Radio Ulster
Songwriter Legacy Award
This award celebrates the life and work of legendary songwriters who the board want to recognise for their writing and important contribution in shaping this genre to what it is today. The 2023 recipient is: Loretta Lynn
Award Nominations
UK Album of the Year
• Birds That Flew and Ships That Sailed by Passenger (Produced by Mike Rosenberg and Chris Vallejo)
• Blue Hours by Bear’s Den (Produced by Ian Grimble)
• Shining In The Half Light by Elles Bailey (Produced by Dan Weller)
• Superhuman by Ferris and Sylvester (Produced by Ryan Hadlock and Michael Rendall)
International Album of the Year
• In These Silent Days by Brandi Carlile (produced by Dave Cobb and Shooter Jennings)
• Pohorylle by Margo Cilker (produced by Sera Cahoone)
• Raise The Roof by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss (produced by T Bone Burnett)
• The Man From Waco by Charley Crockett (produced by Bruce Robison)
UK Song of the Year
• Car Crash by Hannah White (Written by Hannah White)
• Grace by Marcus Mumford (Written by Blake Mills and Marcus Mumford)
• Make It Romantic by Simeon Hammond Dallas (Written by Simeon Hammond Dallas)
• The Right Place by Danny George Wilson (written by Danny Wilson)
International Song of the Year
• I Don’t Really Care for You by CMAT (Written by Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson)
• Something in the Orange by Zach Bryan (Written by Zachary Lane Bryan)
• Take It Like A Man by Amanda Shires (Written by Amanda Shires and Lawrence Rothman)
• You’re Not Alone by Allison Russell feat. Brandi Carlile (Written by Allison Russell)
UK Artist of the Year
• Bear’s Den
• Elles Bailey
• Ferris and Sylvester
• Lady Nade
International Artist of the Year
• Allison Russell
• Brandi Carlile
• Margo Cilker
• The Dead South
UK Instrumentalist of the Year
• Holly Carter
• Joe Coombs
• Joe Wilkins
• Mark Lewis
UK Live Act of the Year
• Beans On Toast
• Elles Bailey
• Ferris & Sylvester
• Holy Moly & The Crackers
• Noble Jacks
• The Heavy Heavy