Townes Van Zandt named for Americana honor; Emmylou Harris, Hacienda Brothers, Cook play AMA show

Townes Van Zandt will be posthumously awarded the President's Award that night, the Americana Music Association announced Friday.

Americana Music Association Executive Director Jed Hilly said, "This is shaping up to be an amazing festival and conference. Americana Music is everyone's music and not limited by geographical or musical boundaries."

Harris, The Hacienda Brothers and Cook join Ricky Skaggs and Bruce Hornsby, Joe Ely, Amy LaVerre and the Avett Brothers who have already confirmed their performances. More artists will continue to be announced throughout the weeks leading up to the event.

Hilly also revealed the recipient of the President's Award. "I am honored to announce it will be given posthumously to Townes Van Zandt. Americana Board President Tamara Saviano will present the award to Guy Clark, a longtime friend of Townes." Clark is also slated to perform a Van Zandt song in tribute.

Joe Ely has already been named as the Lifetime Achievement Recipient for Performer, and Jim Dickinson for Producer/Engineer. The AMA will present those awards and announce the winners in six member voted categories including; Album of the Year, Artist of the Year, Instrumentalist, New and Emerging Artist, Song of the Year and Duo Group of the Year at the November show.

The conference, in its eighth year, runs Wednesday Oct. 31-Nov. 3.