Photo courtesy of Tamara Saviano.

To mark the 15th anniversary of Townes Van Zandt’s New Year’s Day death in 1997, the John and Robin Dickson Series will release I’ll Be Here in the Morning: The Songwriting Legacy of Townes Van Zandt. The book, written by Brian T. Atkinson, chronicles the impact that Townes’ lyrics had on fellow and future artists.

“I don’t envision a very long life for myself,” Townes once said. “I think my life will run out before my work does. I’ve designed it that way.” Townes penned such classics as “Pancho and Lefty,” “If I Needed You,” “Tecumseh Valley,” and “Lungs.”

Guy Clark, Rodney Crowell, Kris Kristofferson, Lyle Lovett and Lucinda Williams are among more than 40 songwriters interviewed for the book. They analyze Townes’ lyrics and share stories of Townes’ rise and fall. The book also includes insight from younger artists such as My Morning Jacket’s Jim James, The Avett Brothers’ Scott Avett, Grace Potter, Josh Ritter and Kasey Chambers, who have all been influenced by Townes’ work. Continue Reading

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Neil Perry, Kimberly Perry and Reid Perry of The Band Perry backstage at The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live! Countdown to Music's Biggest Night at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 30, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Nominations for the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards® were announced tonight by The Recording Academy®  on “The GRAMMY® Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music’s Biggest Night®,” which aired live on CBS.  From the country category, fans got to see The Band Perry perform their new song “Independence,”  Jason Aldean took the stage with Ludacris to perform “Dirt Road Anthem,” and Sugarland joined forces with Lady Gaga to close out the show with a performance of “You And I.”

The Recording Academy changed up and whittled down the categories this year — here are the ones related to country music and few others you might be interested to see…

Best New Artist (all genres)

The Band Perry
Bon Iver
J. Cole
Nicki Minaj
Skrillex Continue Reading

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Robert Plant and Patty Griffin, with Gregg Allman, perform "Glory, Glory Hallelujah" during the finale of the 10th Annual Americana Honors and Awards Show. Photo by Erika Goldring.

Robert Plant’s Band of Joy picked up album of the year honors, and Buddy Miller earned an Artist of the Year nod, during the Americana Music Association’s 10th Annual Honors and Awards tonight at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium.

The event celebrated a year of the best in roots music. It opened with a moving tribute to the late John Hartford, represented by an unaccompanied banjo and bolo hat side stage,  followed by Buddy Miller, Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss, Jerry Douglas and Don Was performing “I’ll Fly Away” in celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the O’ Brother Where Art Thou? soundtrack.

Jim Lauderdale served again as master of ceremonies, his ninth in-a-row, while Miller led an all-star house band comprised of famed record producer Don Was on bass, Cody and Luther Dickinson on drums, guitars and various other instruments, Greg Leisz on steel guitar and John Deaderick on keys. Adding harmonies were The McCrary Sisters: Ann, Regina and Alfreda.

It was a big night for Miller, winning not only the Artist of the Year Award, but adding another Instrumentalist of the Year Award to his treasure chest of Americana trophies, now totaling twelve. Raul Malo and Carrie Rodriguez handed him the award. Marshall Chapman presented him with the Artist of the Year.

The 2009 New/Emerging Artist Justin Townes Earle cemented his place as one of Americana Music’s heirs apparent by picking up Song of the Year for “Harlem River Blues.”  John Oates and Mindy Smith presented.

The Avett Brothers walked away with another Duo/Group of the Year win, their third after winning in 2007 and 2010 and fourth overall,  while Mumford and Sons were crowned New/Emerging Artist of the Year. Mark Olsen and Gary Louris of The Jayhawks presented the Duo/Group  Award; The Greencards, winners in 2006, presented New/Emerging Artist.

Other award highlights of the night included a tearful Lucinda Williams accepting the Lifetime Achievement Award for songwriting from record executive Luke Lewis, who last year earned the Lifetime Achievement Award for Executive. She followed it with a haunting performance of “Blessed.”

Buddy Miller accepts his Instrumentalist of the year award, one of two he collected at the 10th Annual Americana Honors and Awards Show. Photo by Erika Goldring.

Joining Williams in the Lifetime Achievement categories,  the legendary Gregg Allman received the Lifetime Achievement Award in Performance. Allman is one of the architects of Southern Rock and member of the Allman Brothers Band.  Keb Mo handled the presenting honors.

Alison Krauss gave the Lifetime Achievement Award for Instrumentalist to Jerry Douglas, equally revered for his solo work, session playing, and as a longtime member of Krauss’ Union Station.

R&B Legend Candi Staton presented the Jack Emerson Lifetime Achievement for Executive to Rick Hall, whose groundbreaking production work at FAME Studios created the Muscle Shoals sound, a unique style that crossed musical formats.  Afterward, she took to the Ryman stage to sing her hit “Heart On A String.”

Bob Harris crossed the pond to accept his Trailblazer Award from Emmylou Harris. The celebrated radio host and journalist works as a tireless advocate for exceptional artistry, playing a pivotal role in exposing listeners to rising talent, no matter the genre.

The annual Americana Award Show was peppered with standout performances, from Amos Lee (“Cup of Sorrow”), Elizabeth Cook (“El Camino”), Earle (“Harlem River Blues”), Jessica Lea Mayfield (“For Today”), Hayes Carll (“KMAG YOYO”), The Secret Sisters (“Why Don’t You Love Me?”), Miller (“Gasoline and Matches”), The Civil Wars (“Barton Hollow”), The Avett Brothers (“The Once and Future Carpenter”) and Plant (“Monkey”).

The event was broadcast live throughout Middle Tennessee on Nashville Public Television (NPT).  An abridged version will be broadcast on PBS stations nationwide on November 19th (check local listings) as a special episode of  Austin City Limits Presents.

2011 Americana Honors and Awards recipients

ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Band Of Joy, ROBERT PLANT

ARTIST OF THE YEAR: BUDDY MILLER

INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR:  BUDDY MILLER

NEW / EMERGING ARTIST: MUMFORD AND SONS

SONG OF THE YEAR: Continue Reading

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Marty Stuart will be attending the Americana Music Association Festival & Conference, October 12-15, 2011.

Lucinda Williams, Peter Rowan, Nanci Griffith, James McMurtry and the Blind Boys of Alabama will attend the Americana Music Association Festival & Conference, to be held in Nashville October 12-15. More than twenty additional artists including Sierra Hull, Will Hoge, Marty Stuart and Matraca Berg are scheduled to appear during the event.

The Americana Music Festival & Conference will include showcases, luncheons, a trade show and a panel discussion. The Honors & Awards presentation at the Ryman Auditorium on October 13 is one of the highlights of the event and will feature Lucinda as well as Jim Lauderdale, Robert Plant and the Band of Joy, Gregg Allman, Hayes Carll, The Civil Wars, Elizabeth Cook, Justin Townes Earle, Jessica Lea Mayfield, The Secret Sisters and more. Continue Reading

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Elizabeth Cook and Robert Plant received the most nominations for the 2011 AMA Honors & Awards.

Rosanne Cash announced the list of 2011 Americana Music Association Honors & Awards nominees during an event at the Gibson/Baldwin Showroom in New York City on Monday. The Civil Wars, Levon Helm and His Dirt Farmer Quartet featuring Jim Lauderdale and Rosanne, with Benmont Tench on keys all performed during the event with Nashville Mayor Karl Dean joining the celebration and offering praise of the Music City Americana Music Association.

Elizabeth Cook and Robert Plant lead the nominees with three nominations each. Elizabeth’s Welder is nominated for Album of the Year field while her song “El Camino” is up for Song of the Year. Robert Plant and the Band of Joy are nominated for Duo/Group of the Year and their album Band of Joy is also up for Album of the Year nod. Both Cook and Plant are up for Artist of the Year.

Two recent New/Emerging Artist of the Year winners are living up to their title. The 2009 recipient, Justin Townes Earle, grabbed two nominations for Album of the Year for Harlem River Blues and Song of the Year for “Harlem River Blues; and last year’s winner, Hayes Carll, is nominated for Artist of the Year and Song of the Year for “Kmag Yoyo.” The Civil Wars and Mumford and Sons both are nominated for New/Emerging Artist and Duo/Group of the Year, while Buddy Miller is nominated for Artist and Instrumentalist of the Year. Continue Reading

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Johnny Cash photo courtesy of Lost Highway Records.

The American public went crazy on the Dixie Chicks because of Natalie’s statement, and the incident cost the band its mainstream audience. As it turns out, the Man In Black might well have come out publicly against the Iraq War, too, if he weren’t in such poor health.

Daughter Rosanne Cash had put her name on a full-page ad in The New York Times just two weeks prior, joining Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, Sheryl Crow, Lucinda Williams, Dave Matthews and T Bone Burnett among a group of musicians who said, “War on Iraq is wrong and we know it.”

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Bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley.

Jaw-dropping.

There’s probably not a better phrase to describe an all-star band that’s being put together by producer T Bone Burnett. Bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley, who sung the Grammy-winning “O Death” on T Bone’s O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack, will share the stage with keyboard players Elton John and Leon Russell, eclectic rocker Elvis Costello, Americana artist Neko Case and actor Jeff Bridges under the banner T Bone Burnett’s Speaking Clock Revue. They’ll be assembled Oct. 24 at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, Calif., during the second day of Neil Young’s annual Bridge School Benefit.

The rock-and-country mix in T Bone’s ensemble is reflective of the multi-genre texture of the event’s larger lineup. Country-rock pioneers Buffalo Springfield will reunite for the weekend, and country’s Merle Haggard and Kris Kristofferson will play the same stage as Americana’s Lucinda Williams, classic-rockers Jackson Browne and Billy Idol, and modern-rock bands Pearl Jam and Modest Mouse.

The link between country artists and their pop and rock peers is strong these days. And it’s in full force in a lot of ways. Among other notable examples:

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Keith Urban photo by Danny Clinch, courtesy of Capitol Nashville.

A year ago, Keith Urban raised $500,000 for the Country Music Hall of Fame when he threw an all-star All For The Hall concert at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

This year, he’s pitching in again, but it’s not the only thing going on in country music with hall of fame overtones. Hall of Famer Loretta Lynn will be celebrated with a tribute album, fellow Hall of Famer Merle Haggard will receive another rare honor, and five composers — including a former Beatle — are being added to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Here’s a rundown of the hall of fame-related events of note:

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Loretta Lynn's 2010 tribute album. Photo courtesy of Sony Music Nashville.

Country legend Loretta Lynn has been entertaining fans with her singing and songwriting for 50 years. To commemorate that anniversary, Sony Music Nashville is releasing Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Tribute to Loretta Lynn. When the label started putting the lineup together, they turned to the Coal Miner’s Daughter herself to choose which artists would be on the CD.

In alphabetical order, Loretta peronally chose: Sheryl Crow, Steve Earle, Faith Hill, Alan Jackson, Kid Rock, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Allison Moorer, Paramore, Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood, The White Stripes, Lucinda Williams, Gretchen Wilson, and Lee Ann Womack. Continue Reading

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#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.

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