On May 12th, 2010, the Americana Music Association announced the nominees for its 9th Annual Americana Honors and Awards Show, which included nods to several ASCAP songwriters. Artist of the Year nominee Patty Griffin was also nominated for Album of the Year for her seventh album, Downtown Church, a collection of Gospel-infused songs produced by long-time collaborator and fellow nominee Buddy Miller. A seven-time AMA winner himself, the singer, songwriter, and guitarist Miller picked up a nomination for 2010’s Instrumentalist of the Year.
Also vying for Artist of the Year are Levon Helm and Steve Earle, each fresh off of a win at this year’s Grammy Awards; Helm won for his album Electric Dirt, while Earle was honored for Townes. Competing for Duo/Group of the Year are Band of Heathens, whose current album One Foot in the Ether reached #1 on the Americana airplay charts, and Carolina Chocolate Drops, an old-time string band with a modern sensibility, known throughout the festival circuit.
The Americana Honors and Awards Show will be held on September 9th, 2010 at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. Each year, over 2,000 artists, fans, and entertainment industry executives gather to honor distinguished members of the AMA with six awards voted on by fellow members and several Lifetime Achievement Awards. The event is hosted by Jim Lauderdale and features Buddy Miller and his all-star band. Previous ASCAP AMA winners include Emmylou Harris, Robert Plant, Lyle Lovett, Johnny Cash, and many others.
