Strings, Russell, Carlile win Americana honors

Wednesday, September 14, 2022 – Allison Russell, Brandi Carlile and Billy Strings took home awards on Wednesday night at the Americana Honors & Awards ceremony in Nashville.

The awards is usually spread out around many artists, and this year was no different with six different performers winning the six categories.

Strings, an acoustic guitar ace who plays bluegrass, won the biggest honor of the night, Artist of the Year. Strings, who has a heavy touring schedule was not at the awards show. Strings was nominated for the award last year as well, but Carlile won.

Russell, a first-time nominee, received the award for Album of the Year for her debut release as a solo artist, "Outside Child." Russell, who has been with Birds of Chicago with her husband, J.T. Nero, received much praise for the release.

Carlile, winner of five previous Americana Awards, earned another one for Song of the Year, for "Right on Time." Carlile shared the song award with her band members Phil and Tim Hanseroth and producer Dave Cobb.

The War and Treaty secured their second award from the Americana Music Association, as they were named Duo/Group of the year. The husband-and-wife duo of Tanya and Michael Trotter Jr. won the emerging artist trophy three years ago. They also performed "That's How Love Is Made" during the show.

Sierra Ferrell, who has released an album on Rounder, was the honoree in the Emerging Act category while Larissa Maestro won Instrumentalist of the Year.

Maestro has performed and/or recorded with Allison Russell, Mickey Guyton, Eminem, Ms. Lauryn Hill, H.E.R., Michael Buble, Margo Price, and Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings.

Lifetime achievement honors went to the Fairfield Four, the Indigo Girls, Chris Isaak, the late country singer Don Williams and Stax executive Al Bell. The honors were previously announced by the AMA. A surprise lifetime award went to Buddy Miller, who has led the house band for many years.

The show included many musical performances. Carlile and Russell delivering a rendition of "You're Not Alone," as well as the McCrary Sisters honoring their late sister Deborah (who passed away in June) with "Amazing Grace."

The evening also included tributes to three albums celebrating their 50th anniversary: Milk Carton Kids tribute to Jackson Browne's self-titled debut, Phosphorescent tribute to Neil Young's "Harvest" and Lyle Lovett (with Bill Payne of Little Feat) tribute to Little Feat's "Sailin' Shoes."

Fairfield Four, Indigo Girls, Lucinda Williams, Adia Victoria, James McCurtry, Lukas Nelson, Morgan Wade, Neal Francis, The War and Treaty and Ferrell all performed.