By the miracle of the electric railway your dedicated late night news reporter was able to hot-foot (hot-rail?) it from London’s Hackney Empire where the AMA-UK Awards show was held on Thursday night and get back to Americana UK headquarters with the breaking news of the award winners. Following two nights of music showcases around Hackney venues (more news on those soon) the award ceremony was the culmination of the annual Americana Music Association UK conference.
There are two sets of awards – those that are voted on by the AMA-UK’s membership and those that are decided by the AMA-UK Directing Panel, and an additional award chosen by Bob Harris OBE. Without more ado (for now) – the results.
Special Awards:
Lifetime Achievement Award
Selected by the board members, AMA-UK’s highest honour is awarded to a UK artist, duo or group in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the Americana genre over the span of their career and life in music. The 2023 recipient was Mike Scott of The Waterboys
International Lifetime Achievement Award
Selected by the board members, AMA-UK’s highest honour is awarded to an international artist, duo or group in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the Americana genre over the span of their career and life in music. The 2023 recipient was Judy Collins.
International Trailblazer Award
Selected by the board members, this special award celebrates a UK artist, duo or group that has taken an exceptional path, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps in developing the Americana genre. The 2023 recipient was Nickel Creek
Bob Harris Emerging Artist Award
Selected by Bob Harris OBE, this special award celebrates the breakthrough artist, duo or group that has particularly impressed the legendary music broadcaster throughout the year. The 2023 recipient was The Hanging Stars
Best Selling Americana Album
AMA-UK works with The Official Charts Company to create the UK Americana Album Chart. This Award is given to the best-selling Americana Album by a UK Artist. The 2023 recipient was Frank Turner.
Grassroots Award
Selected by the board members, this special award celebrates the sometimes-un-sung heroes of the UK Americana scene. It is presented to individuals working in the industry (in a capacity other than as artists) who have made outstanding efforts to support Americana music from the grass roots up. The 2023 recipient was Ralph McLean, BBC Radio Ulster
Songwriter Legacy Award
This award celebrates the life and work of legendary songwriters who the board want to recognise for their writing and important contribution in shaping this genre to what it is today. The 2023 recipient was Loretta Lynn
Winners in the Nominationed Award catergories
UK Album of the Year
• Birds That Flew and Ships That Sailed by Passenger (Produced by Mike Rosenberg and Chris Vallejo)
• Blue Hours by Bear’s Den (Produced by Ian Grimble)
• Shining In The Half Light by Elles Bailey (Produced by Dan Weller)
• Superhuman by Ferris and Sylvester (Produced by Ryan Hadlock and Michael Rendall) WINNER
International Album of the Year
• In These Silent Days by Brandi Carlile (produced by Dave Cobb and Shooter Jennings)
• Pohorylle by Margo Cilker (produced by Sera Cahoone)
• Raise The Roof by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss (produced by T Bone Burnett) WINNER
• The Man From Waco by Charley Crockett (produced by Bruce Robison)
UK Song of the Year
• Car Crash by Hannah White (Written by Hannah White) WINNER
• Grace by Marcus Mumford (Written by Blake Mills and Marcus Mumford)
• Make It Romantic by Simeon Hammond Dallas (Written by Simeon Hammond Dallas)
• Right Place by Danny George Wilson (written by Danny Wilson)
International Song of the Year
• I Don’t Really Care for You by CMAT (Written by Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson)
• Something in the Orange by Zach Bryan (Written by Zachary Lane Bryan)
• Take It Like A Man by Amanda Shires (Written by Amanda Shires and Lawrence Rothman)
• You’re Not Alone by Allison Russell feat. Brandi Carlile (Written by Allison Russell) WINNER
UK Artist of the Year
• Bear’s Den
• Elles Bailey WINNER
• Ferris and Sylvester
• Lady Nade
International Artist of the Year
• Allison Russell WINNER
• Brandi Carlile
• Margo Cilker
•The Dead South
UK Instrumentalist of the Year
• Holly Carter WINNER
• Joe Coombs
• Joe Wilkins
• Mark Lewis
UK Live Act of the Year
• Beans On Toast
• Elles Bailey WINNER
• Ferris & Sylvester
• Holy Moly & The Crackers
• Noble Jacks
• The Heavy Heavy
