Americana Honors & Awards: Who I'd Choose

by Julian Spivey
It’s quite ridiculous, but the best music award show annually is never even televised. That would be the annual Americana Honors & Awards, which celebrates the best in Americana music – a genre that encompasses a multitude of American-sounding genres like country, blues, folk and more. Luckily for everyone, the awards can be seen despite not being on television as they will once again be streaming on nprmusic.org starting at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 21.
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The Americana Awards simply does not have bad nominees. But, that doesn’t mean there aren’t nominees who I feel are more deserving than others and would like to see win. So, here are my choices for which artists, songs and albums should take home the hardware …

Artist of the Year:
Nominees: Jason Isbell, Bonnie Raitt, Chris Stapleton & Lucinda Williams

My Pick: Jason Isbell

The Americana Award nominees for Artist of the Year are a perfect representation why this is such an outstanding music award show. You have two absolute legendary figures in Bonnie Raitt and Lucinda Williams nominated alongside the two biggest stars currently in the Americana world in Jason Isbell and Chris Stapleton. Stapleton arguably had the biggest year, but Isbell represents the Americana genre better than any popular artist around today as his music can’t really be pigeonholed into one genre like country or rock music. Stapleton is a country singer, but because he’s a true country singer and not what you’d typically here on country radio he gets lumped in with Americana artists. We’re not complaining.

Album of the Year:
Nominees: “Something More Than Free” by Jason Isbell, “The Ghosts of Highway 20” by Lucinda Williams, “The Very Last Day” by Parker Millsap & “Traveller” by Chris Stapleton

My Pick: “Something More Than Free” by Jason Isbell

I’m going to be honest upfront and admit that I’ve unfortunately yet to hear the albums by Parker Millsap and Lucinda Williams. To me this comes down to whether or not Chris Stapleton is considered “too country” for Americana, but seeing how he’s been nominated in the two biggest categories - Artist of the Year and Album of the Year - I’m sure he’s not. Like I said in the previous category, though, I believe Jason Isbell is the ultimate representation of what Americana music is – and also being upfront – he’s my favorite modern singer-songwriter. Something More Than Free and Traveller are both perfect albums and a tie would honestly be welcomed for a change, but if I have to choose one it’s Isbell’s album.

Song of the Year:
Nominees: “24 Frames” by Jason Isbell, “Dime Store Cowgirl” by Kacey Musgraves, “Hands of Time” by Margo Price & “S.O.B.” by Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats

My Pick: “24 Frames” by Jason Isbell

This one category sums up why I believe this is the best music award show around. All four of these songs are perfect. When do you ever see that for a Song of the Year award at a music award show? It shouldn’t come to any surprise to you by now that I’m going with Jason Isbell’s “24 Frames,” though you could make the argument that “Something More Than Free” is an even better song. I’d also make the argument that Kacey Musgraves and Margo Price have better songs on their albums than “Dime Store Cowgirl” and “Hands of Time” respectively. If I had a second choice for this category it would be Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats’ “S.O.B.,” which is one of the most kickass songs you’re ever going to hear and actually you should see it performed where it’s even better.

Duo/Group of the Year:
Nominees: Alabama Shakes, Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell, Lake Street Drive, The Milk Carton Kids & Tedeschi Trucks Band

My Pick: Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell

If I had to guess which one of these groups or duos were to take home the honor on Wednesday night I’d predict Alabama Shakes, but anytime the living legends that are Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell get together to record an album or tour it’s going to be absolute perfection.

Emerging Artist of the Year:
Nominees: Leon Bridges, John Moreland, Margo Price & Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats

My Pick: Margo Price

This is yet another absolutely perfect category of nominations. All of these artists deserve to win this award. Can we get a four-way tie? Leon Bridges is a jaw-dropping soul singer that reminds a lot of people of Sam Cooke. John Moreland mixes great emotion with a country-folk sound that will knock you off your stool. Margo Price is a badass country chick in the vein of Loretta Lynn. Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats is a must-see act that mixes seemingly everything: rock, folk, doo-wop, soul, blues. Find all of these acts on Spotify and spend hours enjoying. My pick would be Margo Price, who – while I love all of these artists – is the only one I’ve actually spent my hard-earned money on. Her debut album Midwest Farmer’s Daughter should’ve been nominated recently for the CMA Awards Album of the Year, but since the Country Music Association often ignores real country music maybe the Americana crowd will give her an honor she deserves.

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