Last week, the Americana Music Association UK (AMA-UK) announced the winners of this year’s prestigious UK Americana Awards. Now in its sixth year, the ceremony took place virtually online and celebrated the best in the genre both in the UK and internationally.
The awards ceremony, which was hosted by Bob Harris OBE, rounded off three days of streamed showcases and events organised by the AMA-UK. The Showcase Festival, which ran across two stages, delivered an amazing 14 hours of music.
Awards were presented to both British and international artists, including Merseyside blues and country singer Robert Vincent who was named UK Artist Of The Year and won Best UK Album for In This Town You’re Owned while Courtney Marie Andrews took home both awards for International Album of the Year and International Artist of the Year.
The Grassroots Award was presented by BBC Radio 6’s Steve Lamacq to the Music Venue Trust’s Mark Davyd and Beverly Whitrick, who campaign on behalf of independent venues across the UK.
Special awards were bestowed by the AMA-UK board on Elvis Costello (Lifetime Achievement); Mavis Staples (International Lifetime Achievement); Christine McVie (Trailblazer); and Steve Earle (International Trailblazer).
There was also a tribute to the late John Prine featuring performances by Billy Bragg, Ida Mae and many more. The virtual ceremony also featured performances by well-loved artists such as American Aquarium, Emily Barker, Mary Gauthier, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Lady Nade, Katie Pruitt, and Gillian Welch & David Rawlings.
The show closed with a performance from Lifetime Achievement Award winner Elvis Costello of his classic song Radio Sweetheart, before all the nominees performed a virtual group rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone, led by Liverpool’s own Robert Vincent, in tribute to the late Gerry Marsden (winner of the specially-created Songwriter Legacy Award 2021), who passed away earlier this year.
Stevie Smith CEO AMA-UK said of the awards: “AmericanaFest UK is the ultimate celebration of Americana music in the UK. Throughout the shared trauma of the 2020 pandemic, the creative sector has been incredible in the way they helped keep others’ spirits high with their music. The Board of the AMA-UK was determined to create an event to bring us all together again.”
Below is a list of winners for the annually presented “Of the Year” awards, which were voted on by the AMA-UK membership.
UK Album of the Year
In This Town You’re Owned by Robert Vincent (Produced by Ethan Johns)
International Album of the Year
Old Flowers by Courtney Marie Andrews (Produced by Andrew Sarlo)
UK Song of the Year
“I Don’t Wanna Lie” by Yola (Written by Yola, Dan Auerbach, Bobby Wood)
International Song of the Year
“Hand Over My Heart” by The Secret Sisters (Written by Laura Rogers, Lydia Rogers)
UK Artist of the Year
Robert Vincent
International Artist of the Year
Courtney Marie Andrews
UK Instrumentalist of the Year
Anna Corcoran
The following honorees were recognized with their special awards:
Lifetime Achievement Award
Elvis Costello
International Lifetime Achievement Award
Mavis Staples
Trailblazer Award
Christine McVie
International Trailblazer Award
Steve Earle
Songwriter Legacy Award
John Prine
Bob Harris Emerging Artist Award
Robbie Cavanagh & Demi Marriner
Best Selling Americana Album (By a UK Artist)
Song for Our Daughter by Laura Marling
Grassroots Award
Music Venue Trust – Mark Davyd and Beverly Whitrick
By Eveline Vouillemin