Americana’s New Board Includes Dave Cobb / Awards Expand to the UK
The Americana Music Association has announced its newest Board of Directors, and signing on for a seat this upcoming year is fast rising producer Dave Cobb. Many of the records he produces are already featured during the organization’s annual awards in September, so a board member selection only makes sense. Other newly-minted board members include Garth Fundis from Slate Creek Records, and Drew Thurlow from Pandora.
The three new board members will join re-elected members John Allen of New West, Jonathan Levine of the Paradigm Talent Agency, John Ingrassia (Vector Management), Mark Moffatt (producer) and Kurt Vitolo (KV Financial Group, PC). Other returning members include President Amanda Hale of Vector Management, 2016 President Elect Cliff O’Sullivan of Rounder/Sugar Hill Records, Carrie Colliton (Record Store Day), Tim Fink (SESAC), Al Moss (Al Moss Promotion), Todd Ohlhauser (Mercy Lounge), Jessie Scott (Music Fog/Sun Radio Austin), and Lynne Sheridan of the Grammy Museum.
On top of seating a new board, the Americana Music Association recently announced the inaugural UK Americana Awards will be held in London on February 3rd, 2016 at St John at Hackney. Singer/songwriter Billy Bragg will be honored in the presentation with a Trailblazer Awards, and other awards will be handed in various UK and international categories. There will be plenty of musical performances too, including an appearance by US songwriter Gretchen Peters.
“I feel honoured to be a part of the first ever Americana Music Association UK Awards night and privileged to be recognised by them with the Trailblazer Award – It’s great to be acknowledged by the AMA-UK community in this way,” says Billy Bragg.
The nominees for the inaugural UK Americana Awards can be found below:
UK Album of The Year
- What Kind of Love – Danny & The Champions of the World (produced by Chris Clarke and Danny George Wilson)
- Searching for the Supertruth -The Dreaming Spires (produced by The Dreaming Spires)
- The Toerag Sessions – Emily Barker (produced by Liam Watson)
- If I Was – The Staves (produced by Justin Vernon)
International Album of the Year
- Something More Than Free – Jason Isbell (produced by Dave Cobb)
- Pageant Material – Kacey Musgraves (produced by Luke Laird, Shane McAnally and Kacey Musgraves)
- Blackbirds – Gretchen Peters (produced by Doug Lancio, Gretchen Peters & Barry Walsh)
- Introducing Cale Tyson – Cale Tyson (produced by Cale Tyson)
UK Artist of the Year
- Bear’s Den
- Danny & The Champions of The World
- The Dreaming Spires
- Lewis & Leigh
International Artist of the Year
- The Bros. Landreth
- Jason Isbell
- Gretchen Peters
- Sturgill Simpson
UK Song of the Year
- Agape Bear’s Den (written by Andrew Davie, Kevin Jones and Johannes Refsdal)
- Clear Water – Danny & The Champions of the World (written by Danny George Wilson and Paul Lush)
- Rubble – Lewis & Leigh (written by Al Lewis and Alva Leigh)
- Black & White – The Staves (written by The Staves)
International Song of the Year
- 24 Frames – Jason Isbell (written by Jason Isbell)
- All These Dreams – Andrew Combs (written by Andrew Combs and Jabe Beyer)
- American Middle Class – Angeleena Presley (written by Angeleena Presley)
- Blackbirds – Gretchen Peters (written by Gretchen Peters and Ben Glover)
UK Instrumentalist of the Year
- Joseph Bennett
- BJ Cole
- Spencer Cullum Jr
- Paul Lush
December 23, 2015 @ 7:01 am
An awards show with actual talent nominated??
I think it is amazing the traction some of these artists have gained over just the past couple years and hope this trend continues.
December 23, 2015 @ 8:37 am
Good choice to put Dave Cobb on the Americana Music Association board. I mean, it makes perfect sense. Cobb is really making a name for himself in Music City, and it seems like this move will consolidate his influence even more.
And Garth Fundis rules, simply for being Don Williams’ right-hand man in the studio for all those years, and co-producing all those great records. One thing I’ve been wanting for years now is for the Americana Music Association to find some way to honor Don Williams at their awards show. His last two albums were on Sugar Hill Records, one of the key record labels officially associated with Americana, so it seems like a possibility. Maybe bringing Garth Fundis on board could further open the door for something like that. Just a thought.
Finally, I’m not sure I understand the idea behind the British Americana awards thing. I mean, it kind of seems like a contradiction in terms, but if it helps spread the word about good music, I’m all for it, I guess!
December 23, 2015 @ 9:05 am
24 Frames is definitely one of Isbell’s better works, but I can’t fathom the idea that “Flagship” keeps getting shut out.
December 23, 2015 @ 9:35 am
IMO, Children of Children is Isbells greatest accomplishment so far in his career. I wish it got the recognition. Such an amazing song.
Also, Kurt Viles newest album could also be considered “Americana” and it’s awesome. Should at least get a nod
December 23, 2015 @ 11:30 am
Europe is great…not much interest here yet in my music, but in Europe it’s a different story… #38 (if they went that high) on the American charts and rising….
December 23, 2015 @ 6:32 pm
BTW. There are also slots for three artists on the Association’s Board of Directors. The artists currently on the AMA’s board are Rodney Crowell, Buddy Miller and Mary Gauthier.