Nominees Announced for the 2017 Americana Music Awards
The Americana Music Association announced the nominees for their 2017 awards on Tuesday afternoon (5-9) via a live press conference from the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Ford Theater. Along with announcing the nominees, the presentation included performances from Caitlin Canty, Jason Isbell, The Drive-By Truckers, including Isbell joining the Truckers acoustically to reprise his song “Outfit,” Jerry Douglas, and the Milk Carton Kids, who also hosted the event.
Sturgill Simpson leads all 2017 nominees with three, including Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year for “All Around You.” Off the strength of his recent album Close Ties, Rodney Crowell received two nominations, including Album of the Year, and Song of the Year for “It Ain’t Over Yet.” Lori McKenna and the Drive-By Truckers also received two nominations, and John Prine showed the longevity of his career by picking up a Artist of the Year nomination.
The full list of nominees can be seen below, and the entire presentation can be streamed below as well. Winners will be announced at the annual awards show Wednesday, September 13th as part of AmericanaFest.
Artist of the Year
- Jason Isbell
- John Prine
- Lori McKenna
- Margo Price
- Sturgill Simpson
Album of the Year
- Drive-By Truckers “American Band”
- Sturgill Simpson “A Sailor’s Guide to Earth”
- Rodney Crowell “Close Ties”
- Rhiannon Giddens “Freedom Highway”
- Hurray for the Riff Raff “The Navigator”
Song of the Year
- Sturgill Simpson “All Around You”
- Rodney Crowell “It Ain’t Over Yet”
- Ryan Adams “To Be Without You”
- Lori McKenna “Wreck You”
Duo/Group of the Year
- Billy Bragg and Joe Henry
- Drive By Truckers
- Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives
- The Lumineers
Emerging Artist of the Year
- Aaron Lee Tasjan
- Amanda Shires
- Brent Cobb
- Sam Outlaw
Instrumentalist of the Year
- Jen Gunderman
- Courtney Hartman
- Charlie Sexton
- Spencer Cullum Jr.
May 9, 2017 @ 2:36 pm
Glad to see Rhiannon Giddens nominated for album of the year. Disappointed that you haven’t reviewed it yet, Trigger. While Sturgill will most likely win (and deservedly so), Freedom Highway has been one of my favorite albums of the year.
Surprised to see Amanda Shires nominated for emerging artist, only because I thought she has already “emerged.” But good to see her, and not just Jason, getting some much deserved attention.
May 9, 2017 @ 4:57 pm
It’s an amazing album, the best of the year for me so far. It’s sad that somehow the story of what has happened to African-Americans in this country is considered “political” which is why Trigger won’t touch it.
May 9, 2017 @ 5:29 pm
Okay, hold on for just second ….
First off, I review more albums in the country/roots/American realm than anyone. Period. And those reviews are consistently much longer than the reviews posted by others. In 2015, in 2016, and so far in 2017, nobody has produced more review copy from a major periodical. I am not patting myself on the back or bragging, I’m just stating statistical facts. But even with the many albums I’ve reviewed, I am unable to review every single album that is released in the greater country and roots realm. I could review 100 more albums a year than I already do, and there would still be people complaining about what I did NOT review. I ask not a penny from my readers. I sacrifice an incredible amount of my personal time and wealth to offer a service to the music community to write reviews for albums, some of which if I did not write reviews for, nobody would. I don’t mean to come across as cross because I really appreciate that people value my opinion so much that they request, and even sometimes insist that I review something. But there is only so much music I can cram in my brain, and only so many words to come up with to describe it while still ensuring a level of quality with my reviews that I hope surpasses people’s expectation, and does a service to the music being reviewed.
I never rule out reviewing an album from anyone, ESPECIALLY based on race, or even on politics. Though I tend to like to avoid political battles, I have, and will in the future, review political-oriented material if I feel it is important to the music community, and valuable to readers to broach the subject. Just because I do not review a record does not mean I don’t support it, or the artist. It usually means I just don’t know what to say.
I have covered Rhiannon Giddens on this site on multiple occasions, and have not ruled out the possibility of reviewing Giddens’ “Freedom Highway.” Just over the last two weeks I have posted reviews for albums that were released months ago, as I am constantly trying to post as many reviews as I can, and feature things I may have missed from the past for whatever reason.
I do the best job I can. I wish I had the resources to feature more music. I ask for everyone’s understanding.
May 9, 2017 @ 6:15 pm
Hey, Trigger. Ignore that dude. Thank you for everything that you do. I thoroughly enjoy reading your articles, and opening my ears to new music. I live in the North East but grew up listening to country music. The first song I could relate to as a little kid was Mr. Mom by Lonestar haha. For a while, as hit a country music roadblock and couldn’t find good material anymore. Then I stumbled upon your website and that changed that. Sorry for the rambling, but sincerely, thank you for everything you do.
May 9, 2017 @ 7:58 pm
Thanks Ryan. Wasn’t fishing for compliments. It frustrates me to no end that I cannot cover more music than I do. But it also frustarates me that people can’t at least acknowledge that I’m trying to do by best.
May 9, 2017 @ 7:47 pm
Trigger obviously way to much music is released for any one person to review all of it. But I’m well aware that you have covered Rhiannon extensively in the past, and several months ago she released a highly anticipated, very critically well received album that will be up for multiple awards – much like the Moreland album that you were able to get to immediately, and like her albums in the past, which you have reviewed.
In the same time frame in which she released her album, you made several comments on this blog about a) music should not be political and b) stating that you were not going to review music that was political (including the then recently released Sturgil video & potential new Isbell music).
So yeah, obviously you can’t review anything, but statement was born from a) your past history covering the artist and b) your own comments.
May 9, 2017 @ 8:17 pm
Please link to the article where he said he wouldn’t review political music. I don’t recall that. I do recall him saying that he tries to stay away from politics, and taking a side….. and keep it to the music. This was specifically related to the Sturgill video featuring Trump, and the Isbell song off of his new album. Why would he want to go down the poitical rathole in this polarized environment? His audience has many people from both sides of the aisle and that would be a very stupid move.
As it relates to the trump thing and Sturgill, he had already covered Sturgill and ASGTE extensively. No need to get into music video-specific reviews where he writes about video production and theme (I guess?) and takes a no-win stance on the trump thing.
May 9, 2017 @ 8:17 pm
I understand. And I’m not saying that concern for political acrimony doesn’t factor into covering certain records. But I never rule out covering anything.
Rihannon Giddens last album “Tomorrow Is My Turn” came out in February 2015. I didn’t review it until December of 2015 when I was trying to catch up with the things I missed in the year:
https://savingcountrymusic.com/album-review-rhiannon-giddens-tomorrow-is-my-turn/
Rodney Crowell, who was also nominated, released “Close Ties” in March. I didn’t review it until last week. If you’ll recall, Gidden’s album came out in an incredibly busy week. I always prioritize reviewing albums that were recently released. But if it’s been a week, then it’s on to the new releases, and it gets backlogged. I may get back to it, I may not. But I’m constantly listening to unreviewed records, and wherever inspiration hits me, I write a review.
May 9, 2017 @ 9:54 pm
Maybe you could have a like reader fed review system where we listen submit our thoughts and you could summarize plus add in your own. Just throwing ideas out. I don’t know much about running a website.
May 10, 2017 @ 5:28 am
My blog site (the daily country) surely does not get the numbers yours does, but in terms of review content, I consistently deliver. I have written over 50 reviews this year with 37 focusing on the aforementioned musical communities giving much attention to newer artists in a longer format. Last year, I wrote over 150 reviews excluding EPs, book reviews, and single reviews. Not to mention the interviews I conduct, transcribe, and post with Americana artists from Rodney Crowell and Bruce Robison to Reckless, Dori Freeman, and beyond – all as a one-woman outfit. I write this to let you know there are others out here working off our own time and money, trying to do our best to help spread the good word about music that many enjoy as well.
May 10, 2017 @ 7:35 pm
Hey Tara,, what if you and Trigger combined your websites together, call it Saving Country Music Daily, and pool your resources so that y’all can cover twice as much content as a two-person team? Think of it as a business merger in this difficult era of media consolidation.
May 11, 2017 @ 2:23 pm
Tara,
I’m not trying to insult anybody or say that this site is better than anyone else’s. I just want folks to understand the tremendous amount of effort that goes into reviewing music, and how it is inherently unfair to point out holes in coverage and act as if not enough effort is being expended, or even to say that it’s an illustration of systemic bias.
I wish I had more time to devote to reading other sites that are devoted to review copy, but I am so busy producing my own, and don’t want to be persuaded by other people’s opinions, I just don’t. But I support everyone who takes up the pen for the cause of music, even if I disagree with them.
May 9, 2017 @ 5:49 pm
SCM has covered Giddens, Aaron Vance, and others, quite favorably (and deservedly so). Just say no to fake news, kids
May 9, 2017 @ 7:37 pm
Try reading comprehension? Never did I ever say Trigger hadn’t covered Giddens in the past. Reading comprehension, key to spotting fake news.
May 9, 2017 @ 8:26 pm
Try not not putting words in someone else’s mouth? Such as, “Trigger won’t touch it.” Really? Ass-ume much? Why didn’t you just ask him? You didn’t have a leg to stand on with that comment. My comprehension is fine and dandy. My tolerance for b.s. is what’s lacking…
May 9, 2017 @ 6:47 pm
This guy can’t be serious.
May 9, 2017 @ 7:50 pm
Well it’d be hard, since I’m not a guy (newsflash, while this blog audience might be mostly male, women do exist in country music – even as fans).
May 9, 2017 @ 8:03 pm
Sorry. You do have a pint. But I didn’t mean to offend you. But “this guy” …. is crazy, can’t be serious, is out of his mind, etc etc is kind of standard vernacular. Next time I will try to be more gender neutral though.
May 9, 2017 @ 8:04 pm
*point!
May 10, 2017 @ 7:28 am
Hey Seak – Start your own website and review what you want and stfu about what this website does and does not review.
May 9, 2017 @ 2:53 pm
Good info, thanks S’C’M’!
May 9, 2017 @ 4:01 pm
I wonder how Jason feels about competing against his idol John Prine.
May 9, 2017 @ 5:30 pm
He shares an office with Sturgill too.
May 9, 2017 @ 6:49 pm
That’s what i was gonna say. Sturgill shares an office / writing space with Prine. One of them will surely win, so they can both enjoy it and talk shit to one another about it!
May 9, 2017 @ 7:41 pm
I wonder how Jason feels about competing with his old bandmates – DBT!
May 9, 2017 @ 7:42 pm
Oh, crap. He’s not.
May 9, 2017 @ 4:28 pm
Good. I nominated all these beautiful people. Glad they made it. I was surprised about Amanda Shires too, but it’s all good.
May 9, 2017 @ 4:56 pm
I still don’t think Americana has figured out what it is yet…is it country? sometimes country? How is Cobb not country? (etc), but hey lots of deserving people on this list.
May 9, 2017 @ 6:04 pm
On a related note, how is Sam Outlaw not country?
May 9, 2017 @ 6:09 pm
Yup, good list. 🙂 I’m especially happy about Rodney, RG, HFTRR, Sturgill, Lori, and Margo (how is “Hands of Time” not up for Song OTY, though? unless it was up last year…).
May 9, 2017 @ 6:43 pm
I don’t think “Americana” will escape its association with Cracker Barrel knickknacks
May 10, 2017 @ 5:09 pm
I tell people when asked it’s a mix of folk rock, roots, and alt-country. I think the danger territory is the indie alternative that is trying to classify itself as Americana – similar to the main battle we’re fighting. In fact, I’d probably blame Music Row for the indie pop creep into Americana because of country music not knowing what the hell it is and just inviting everyone onto the boat.
May 9, 2017 @ 6:38 pm
Being that the mucky mucks at the Top of the Americana Heap are mostly political lefties that are part of the Anti-Trump Resistance mindset, I predict that those artists in each category that are most outspoken in their personal dislike of Trump will win! Therefore I predict John Prine will win “Artist of the Year” and Rodney Crowell will win “Album of the Year”! Personally I am glad to see Rhiannon Giddens, Sam Outlaw, Marty Stuart, and Amanda Shires among the nominees regardless of their personal political views. Where are the Ameripolitan Music Awards to counter balance this Americana scene travesty when we need it most? (lol)
May 9, 2017 @ 10:04 pm
Who are these “mucky mucks” you speak of, specifically? Just curious.
May 9, 2017 @ 10:32 pm
If you’re a member of the AMAs, you were eligible to nominate. I guess that makes us muckety mucks. Not sure what political affiliation has to do with this either.
May 9, 2017 @ 6:38 pm
These nominees are all incredibly deserving and the vast majority of them have enriched my life with their work and all, but I can’t be the only person who had a minor internal freak out over this Isbell/DBT “Outfit” business. Is there video of this somewhere?
May 9, 2017 @ 7:56 pm
Click on the video at the bottom of the post. It is in there, maybe about 2/3’rds of the way. And it is awesome.
May 10, 2017 @ 5:36 am
Many Many thanks Trigge for posting that video. I really enjoyed it a LOT
In particular Jason Isbell and Drive-By Truckers. Also Jerry Douglas version of Hey Joe it was both well played and fun to watch and listening to. Even though I’d probebly prefer Jimi Hendrix own version in the long run… 🙂
May 10, 2017 @ 8:58 pm
Check out Roy Buchanan’s Live from Austin version of Hey Joe on YouTube if you haven’t ever heard it. Jimi made it his song but Roy’s version is hard to beat. Most underrated guitar player of all time IMO
May 11, 2017 @ 5:57 am
Tack för ditt svar. And yes he is a phenomenal guitarist and Iv’e seen him before. He was, (relatively), famous when I was a teenager back in the seventies. And i assume this is the youtube video you refer to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMcjPZgK9GM
But I think he is overdoing it here. The lyrics gets overshadowed in lot of fast quitar riffs.
So I think I stick to Jimi’s version. At least to me, he is more down to earth or more “bluesy”. And in his version the song gets the focus and his guitar playing is completely in the service of the song and not the other way around.
And this is how I ,(almost), always listening to music. Unless it’s an instumental I think the music should always serve the song just as the singer should serve the lyrics of the song.
I hope you understand what I mean I do have difficulties with expressing myself.(No matter if I write in swedish or english)…
May 10, 2017 @ 10:03 am
Thanks! And you’re right. It was awesome!
May 9, 2017 @ 6:46 pm
That Brent Cobb album is great. It reminds me (this is odd, I know) of songs that you would hear in a country-like Disney cartoon from the 1980’s. Anytime I listen, I can’t get the imagery out of my mind and I love it. I think he is the kind of artist that will only get better as he releases more albums.
I really liked Sam Outlaws first album. The new one hasn’t grown on me as much.
May 9, 2017 @ 7:05 pm
”I really liked Sam Outlaws first album. The new one hasn’t grown on me as much. ”
Totally agree BigCity
May 9, 2017 @ 11:42 pm
Hey Albert,
I finally listened all the way through Sam Outlaw’s Tenderheart last weekend. Had it not been for reviews on this site, I may never have listened beyond the first two songs online and skipped the purchase. But if you dig down deeper in the album, there are some gems; I especially liked “Diamond Ring” for example. Some of it is a bit 70’s LA folk, but definitely not all of it. My two cents anyway….
May 10, 2017 @ 7:50 am
Yeah …I bought the album a couple of weeks ago Christian , and I DO like it ( WAYYY better than radio fare ) …but his first record was hard to beat . I’m a fan …
May 10, 2017 @ 2:51 am
Trigger, is it me or do Hispanics seem to be often ignored in Americana music? it seems like they are often ignored more then blacks. Hurry for the Riff Raff was nominated, but it seems like Americana music often ignores Tex-Mex music and Hispanics doing country and folk music, spending some time in Albuquerque there was alot of that and i enjoyed it, however unless you are in a southwestern state like the western part of Texas or New Mexico, i think in other parts of the country that music wouldn’t likely be taken seriously.
May 10, 2017 @ 8:31 am
In 2015, the Americana Music Association gave Los Lobos a Lifetime Acheievent Award and did a tribute to them on the awards show. That same year, The Mavericks won for Duo/Group of the year. Neither of those groups are probably the Tex Mex style of music you’re thinking about, but I do think the organization has made efforts to be inclusive to Hispanic acts. A lot of could be that Tejano music has sort of its own radio networks, awards, etc., so they just don’t identify with Americana. Tejano and Latin music have a pretty incredible support system that crosses the border that I don’t think a lot of folks know about.
May 10, 2017 @ 10:27 am
I hear ya sir. Latino music is wonderful. Flaco Jimenez has achieved quite a bit of fame and certainly Dwight Yoakam and The Mavericks have recorded with him giving country audiences exposure to a little Tex Mex. Personally I love Los Lonely Boys but they get plenty of love in the blues world. Los Lobos does get acknowlegement.
Are there more Latino Americana artists that aren’t getting exposure? Part of the thing is, it’s hard to define Americana. What is it? A lot of things that are part of American roots music like Rockabilly, western swing, bluegrass, honky Tonk get ignored by Americana as well. This is why Dale Watson started Ameripolitan, to cover some of these ignored genres. I can tell you that in LA there is a growing Latino rockabilly movement ; The Delta Bombers , Gizzelle , and other acts on a record label called Wild Records. Of course Big Sandy is great also. If anybody is gonna take interest in these folks it’ll most likely be Ameripolitan.
May 10, 2017 @ 12:11 pm
I wish the Tejas Brothers got more exposure, they put on a great show. Alejandro Esvovedo rocks, too. Johnny Rodriguez should get a lifetime achievement award. Can’t forget Rosie Flores or the late Freddy Fender, either..
May 10, 2017 @ 12:23 pm
Forgot Escovedo, hes an Americana essential. Love Rosie. She does get recognition from Ameripolitan. Glad you mentioned her, shes fantastic. Killer voice and absolute killer guitar skills. Not a lot of women play leads, she is one of the best in her genre.in a kinder universe she would have been a major star!
I think Ameripolitan has honored Johnny Rodriguez and if not, I know he’s definitely on Dales radar. By th way, just watched a PBS doc on Latino pop music stars , check it out. Freddy on it as well as Flaco, Lo Lobos, Ritchie Valens and many others. Freddys story is very moving. He and his wife were so poor they lived in a chicken house for a time! I know, mindblowing. Music was his ticket out of poverty.
May 10, 2017 @ 1:05 pm
Freddy and I share the same birthday in June, though not the same year!!!
May 10, 2017 @ 5:16 am
That’s one of the most boring things I’ve ever watched. I have to agree with the people that claim that Americana isn’t very diverse. I’ve realized that I really like a few of the darlings in their club like Jason Isbell but overall it’s pretty boring and I get why people call Americana “old white dad country/folk rock.”
May 11, 2017 @ 6:08 am
Jessie the Troll
May 11, 2017 @ 8:27 am
Not trolling. I post positive comments about what I like and I honestly respond to what I don’t like. Is Trigger a troll for posting negative articles about what he doesn’t like? Some of you guys are pretty sensitive on here. If you’ll look back I posted a very positive comments on Dean Dillion and John Mayer recently. It just so happens that I have strong opinions, years of studying, playing, and following music and working professionally on the inside of the music industry(that means making my living solely from music). I feel I have valid points that balance out all of the blind hero worship on here. When did this become a site for only feel good comments? Most of the music on that video made me yawn and wasn’t very diverse at all(like Americana is supposed to be). The Americana Music Association does more to serve itself than artists. It also chooses which artists are worthy of their attention and ignores others. It’s really not that much different from the CMA or ACM’s except the latter two actually make money. There are many acts that don’t get included and it really is a white person’s genre. At the end of the day, I’d rather listen to music that was Americana before they came up with the term. I love Rodney Crowell, Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams, etc. but they were around and doing fine before this new professional organization.
May 11, 2017 @ 9:12 am
Nothing wrong with Dads. Nothing wrong with White People. Nothing wrong with country/folk rock. There is everything wrong with dismissing music by claiming it doesn’t conform to some supposed cultural progressive diversity standard.
Americana is diverse even though it doesn’t have to be. The reason I know its diverse is because it can’t be defined. You say that you love Rodney Crowell and Lucinda Williams. I’m pretty sure they have both performed at past Americana Awards shows.
May 11, 2017 @ 9:23 am
Also, quite a few of us Americana fans are women. I have never thought of it as being some dad folk thing. In fact, it’s an antidote to bro country. And the male artists manage to be masculine and sensitive at the same time. I happen to like men anyway, so what does it matter, but Americans is anything but some male-dominated entity.
May 11, 2017 @ 9:44 am
I agree there’s nothing wrong with dads or white people. I happen to be both. I just find all of the music on that show kind of the same. I would like to see Americana be more inclusive and have more blues, R&B, or whatever. It tends to be things that are folky/country that don’t fit in the mainstream and it all starts sounding the same. My comment about Crowell and Lucinda was that they were successful without a professional organization. I’m not sure what good it is doing. Also, Americana was around way before bro-country. One has nothing to do with the other. Most of you love it when someone posts a negative comment about a commercial country act but watch out if you give a negative opinion about something else.
May 11, 2017 @ 9:53 am
Once again, it’s the members of the AMA’s who nominate and vote for the final winners. They’re not chosen by some Wizard of Oz type figure. I joined the AMA because I loved the artists they were promoting. I don’t see how they’re self serving in getting good music out there that people might not hear otherwise.
May 11, 2017 @ 8:10 am
but overall it’s pretty boring and I get why people call Americana “old white dad country/folk rock.”
Wow. What a fresh take. Not predictable at all.
May 10, 2017 @ 11:17 am
Okay, just voted on the final ballot. Fingers crossed, kids!
May 12, 2017 @ 6:17 am
Van Morrison is the Lifetime Achievement recipient. Very cool.