#5 on GAC’s Top Stories of 2009 |  View all »

Country fans who listen only to the mainstream commercial outlets in their neck of the woods are missing out on some really great music, and that message was driven home in a big way in 2009. Robert Plant & Alison Krauss’ Raising Sand album, produced by T Bone Burnett, took home five trophies during the Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year and Record of the Year for “Please Read The Letter.”

The first single, “Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On),” was a favorite GAC video in 2008 with its underplayed vocals and throbbing pulse. It was a unique release, but it called attention to the hip, left-of-country’s-center genre known as Americana music. Once referred to as alt-country, it’s become a sort of catch-all for roots-driven music that’s not easily categorized, blending folk-rock, country-rock, traditional country, western swing and blues music forms into a loose genre that values authenticity — warts and all — over slick perfection.

Alison’s bluegrass foundation and Robert’s classic-rock past aptly presented the disparities that have been sewn together in this growing movement. When they topped hot rock band Coldplay, R&B singer Leona Lewis, critical favorite Adele and the experimental M.I.A. for Record of the Year, it brought some well-deserved focus on Americana.

Buddy Miller, who first came to attention in Emmylou Harris’ band, walked off with four trophies at the Americana Music Awards in the fall, and the Recording Academy introduced a new Americana category when the 2010 nominees were revealed in December. Finalists for the inaugural award in 2010 include Bob Dylan, Wilco, Lucinda Williams, Levon Helm and Willie Nelson & Asleep At The Wheel.

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