Buddy Miller Wins a Slew of Americana Music Awards

Buddy Miller was the big winner during last night’s Eighth Annual Americana Music Association Honors & Awards Show at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. The acclaimed singer-songwriter, guitarist, producer and much sought-after collaborator and sideman, was named Artist of the Year and also won Album of the Year (for Written In Chalk, with wife Julie Miller), Duo/Group of the Year (again with Julie), and Song of the Year (“Chalk,” written by Julie and performed by Buddy and Patty Griffin).

Multi-instrumentalist and producer Gurf Morlix was named Instrumentalist of the Year, a category that Buddy Miller had twice won previously. Americana Music Association members voted Justin Townes Earle as New & Emerging Artist of the Year, and lifetime achievement awards were presented to Asleep At The Wheel (for performance), Sam Bush (for instrumentalist), John Fogerty (for songwriter), Ken Levitan (for executive) and Jim Rooney (for producer/engineer). Recipients John Fogerty, Ray Benson and Asleep At The Wheel, Justin Townes Earle, and Sam Bush performed, while John Prine and Nanci Griffith sang a duet in honor of recipient Jim Rooney. Other artists performing during the show included Rodney Crowell, The Flatlanders, The Gourds, Raul Malo, Reckless Kelly and the other nominees for New & Emerging Artist of the Year: Band of Heathens, The Belleville Outfit and Sarah Borges. Capping off the evening was an all-star jam around “Dixie Chicken” in tribute to the late Lowell George of Little Feat, recipient of this year’s President’s Award.

Jim Lauderdale, a two-time Americana Honors & Awards and Grammy Award recipient, hosted the awards show, which took place during the annual Americana Music Festival and Conference, a four-day and night event featuring lots of learning, networking and musical performances that continues through Saturday at venues throughout Nashville.

Now marking its 10th year, the Americana Music Association (www.americanamusic.org) is a professional trade association dedicated to building and promoting the Americana genre and the individuals who participate in the industry.