Nashville, Tenn. – Canadian singer-songwriter Alison Russell won Album of the Year for her debut solo record “Outside Child”, while bluegrass guitarist Billy Strings won Artist of the Year at the Americana Honors and Awards.
Russell, whose gorgeous album touches on the abuse she suffered as a child and its survival, said she covered common themes of community, family, unity and belonging in several speeches during the awards show in Nashville, Tennessee on Wednesday night. heard.
“I am honored to be a part of this community, and to be in a constructive dialogue with our producer, Dan Nobler,” she said.
In a tearful speech, she thanked her friends, family and fellow nominees and said that after spending her early years in foster care, she found her family in music. “Music saved me, music saved me every day,” Russell said.
Hosted by The Milk Carton Kids, the annual awards show held at the Ryman Auditorium celebrates an often misunderstood genre that mixes country, gospel, rock, folk, roots and blues. In addition to the winners, this year’s show presented Lifetime Achievement Awards to Don Williams, country music legend, singer-actor Chris Isaacs and leading duo Indigo Girls.
Billy Strings was not able to be accepted personally, so the Artist of the Year award was accepted by Dobrow and steel guitarist Jerry Douglas. Sierra Farrell won for Emerging Artist of the Year.
Six-time Grammy winner Brandi Carlyle won Song of the Year for “Right on Time”, which she co-wrote with her bandmates Phil and Tim Hansroth, and producer Dave Cobb.
“I really love the coolness and challenge I get every time I sing this song,” Carlile said.
Multi-instrumentalist Larissa Maestro won instrument of the year and spoke about other artists of color who had been nominated in that category in previous years and opened the door for them.
“I haven’t seen people who look like me for many years,” she said. “It’s really really exciting.”
Tanya and Michael Trotter-turned-husband War and Treaty wowed audiences with their soulful duet “That’s How Love Is Made” and later won Duet/Group of the Year.
“Our road has been long, it’s been tough, but it’s worth it,” said Tanya Trotter. “If you want to know what Americana music is, it’s the sound of family,” said Michael Trotter.
Russell, who is from Montreal, collaborated with Carlyle to perform their song “You’re Not Alone” in English and French.
Another lifelong honor was Al Bell, a music executive, record promoter and label owner who helped transform Memphis label Stax Records into a powerhouse, furthering the careers of artists such as Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Isaac Hayes and the Staple Sisters. Extended. He wrote the hit “I’ll Take You There” for the Staple Sisters and later went on to work with Berry Gordy on Motown Records.
“I feel the spirit,” Bell said to the crowd. “I don’t have words to express how I feel right now and how America’s music makes me feel.”
He noted that popular music has always been influenced by black music, but added that streaming and new technology threaten to eliminate that music.
“We have to come together to save our authentic music and art that comes from our culture,” he said.
Singer and actor Chris Isaacs received a Performance Lifetime Achievement Award and was introduced by country singer and actor Lyle Lovett, who called him “a remarkable artist and a remarkable human being”.
“If you don’t have a great band, it’s no fun,” said Isaacs, who praised his band during his acceptance speech.
Lovett, who has been on tour with Isaac this year, then launches a humorous love song for his partner, as Isaac watches from the stage.
Folk duo Indigo Girls were given the Spirit of Americana/Free Speech in Music Award for their longtime advocacy for LGBTQ rights, women’s health, environmentalism and voting for their decades-long career.
Amy Ray and Emily Selliers spoke of being influenced by other women and activists in music, including Joan Baez and Joni Mitchell, and said that their work as vocal advocates is just as important today.
“It will take years to eradicate the racism and homosexuality that has been woven into the fabric of this country,” Ray said.
The Fairfield Four, a harmony singing group that originated at the Fairfield Baptist Church in Nashville in the 1920s, were awarded the Legacy of Americana Award for preserving traditional black a cappella gospel music. The Grammy-winning gospel group is best known for their performances in the film “O Brother Where Art Thou” and performed “Rock My Soul” during the awards show. Before their performance, the show had a moment of silence for Dr. Paul T. Quami, longtime music director of the world-renowned Fisk Jubilee Singers. Kwami died in Nashville on Saturday at the age of 70.
Gospel group The McCreery Sisters, who are regular backup vocalists for the Americana Honors and Awards show, also honored their sister, Deborah, who died in June, with a provocative performance of “Amazing Grace” at the Ryman Auditorium. I was in the audience. their feet. To close the show, the McCurry Sisters led the audience in a toe-tapping version of “I’ll Take You There”, as award-winning Russell and Pharrell danced and sang backup.