One day to go until AMERICANAFEST UK in Hackney Tuesday 29th January
ONE DAY TO GO UNTIL AMERICANAFEST UK
MORE CONFERENCE GUESTS CONFIRMED INCLUDING RICKY ROSS
SIX NEW ARTISTS INCLUDING WHISKEY SHIVERS ADDED TO THE LINE-UP HOSTED BY BIG INDIE
British Americana fans have just over 24 hours to wait for AmericanaFest UK to kick off in Hackney, East London on Tuesday 29th January.
A whole host of new artists have been added to the showcases, new guests are joining the conference panels and even more attendees have been snapping up their tickets.
Added to the conference schedule is the critically acclaimed singer and songwriter, Deacon Blue frontman Ricky Ross who will join the panellists for an in-depth conversation about co-writing with fellow songwriter Fiona Bevan.
Another new addition to the conference schedule is a panel entitled 'Career Longevity in Americana, a Lifetime of Support', presented by AmericanaFest UK 2019 charity partner Help Musicians UK, and featuring Americana artists who have sustained a long career in the business, including Tony Poole of nominees Bennett Wilson Poole, Paddy Nash, Judie Tzuke and Judith Owen.
AmericanaFest UK just got bigger and better with a new showcase ‘guest host’ Big Indie, who will have a showcase on the 30th at Night Tales, the new trendy Hackney venue. The showcase will include: Dylan Earl, Willi Carlisle, Foreign Affairs, Arkansas Dave, House of Songs in the Round (with Graham Weber, Danni Nicholls, Demi Mariner, Robbie Cavanagh). The night will finish with the awesome Trashgrass Bluegrass band from Texas, Whiskey Shivers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVW8ABxPNLk
Big Indie is an independent record label, music publishing company, artist management, and recording studio in Austin Texas, along with a UK/European office in the heart of London’s independent music community at Tileyard studios. Big Indie is the newest and most prolific label in Austin with an eclectic roster, an international network, and a greater reach. "We create a vehicle for good music to succeed, and allow artists to do what they do best -create”- Jacqueline Scripps (CEO)
The AmericanaFest UK Awards show have confirmed the following performers: Graham Nash, Jade Bird, Yola, Ethan Johns, Rhiannon Giddens, Israel Nash, Curse of Lono, Mary Gauthier, Ben Glover, Seth Lakeman and Bennett Wilson Poole.
Showcase tickets available here: https://www.alttickets.com/americana-fest-tickets/london-various-hackney-venues/2019-01-29-17-00
56 acts will showcase over two nights across five venues, all within walking distance, in the days preceding the Awards.
AmericanaFest UK is open to non-members who want to just attend the showcase gigs.
Showcase tickets are available to buy from HERE and more information, delegate packages to attend the conference and AMA-UKmembership at https://theamauk.org/.
Ticket for the UK American Awards are available to buy from https://hackneyempire.co.uk/
Awards Show performances:
Graham Nash (Life Time Achievement recipient)
Rhiannon Giddens (Key Note Speaker)
Ethan Johns (UK Artist of the Year Nominee)
Israel Nash (International Song of the year nominee)
YOLA (Special Guest to AMA-UK)
Jade Bird (UK Song of the Year Nominee)
Curse of Lono (Emerging Artist Award recipients)
Mary Gauthier (International Artist of The Year nominee)
Ben Glover (UK Album Of The Year nominee)
Bennett Wilson Poole (UK Album and UK Artist of The Year nominees)
Seth Lakeman (UK Instrumentalist nominee)
Chris Hillman (UK Instrumentalist nominee)
Acts confirmed to play showcases are: Dylan Earl, Willi Carlisle, Foreign Affairs, House of Songs in the Round (with Graham Weber, Danni Nicholls, Demi Mariner, Robbie Cavanagh), Amber Rubarth, Amy Speace, Arkansas Dave, Asleep at the Wheel, Austin Lucas, Bennett Wilson Poole, Beth Rowley, Birds of Chicago, Caleb Caudle, Caroline Spence, Carson McHone, Chance McCoy, CoCo and the Butterfields, Days Are Done, Ethan Johns With The Black Eyed Dogs, Gangstagrass, Harrow Fair, IDA MAE, Jamie Freeman, John Oates, John Smith, Kaia Kater, Lucas & King, Madison Violet, Martha L. Healy, Martin Harley, Michaela Anne, Mike Farris, Neilson Hubbard,Nicki Bluhm, Noble Jacks, Oh Susanna, Police Dog Hogan, Pretty Archie, Rachel Baiman, Sam Lewis, Sam Morrow, Smith & Brewer, The Blue Highways, The Hanging Stars, The Hungry Mothers, The Luck, The Rails, The Southern Companion, Treetop Flyers, Trevor Moss and Hannah-Lou, Wade Bowen, Wild Ponies, William The Conqueror
This year’s artist spotlight interview will be conducted by BBC Ulster’s Ralph McLean chatting with Ray Benson from Asleep at the Wheel. Bob Harris will be in conversation with the venerable John Oates, whose recent album Arkansas pays tribute to American music’s roots. Following her incredibly well-received Guest Curatorship of Cambridge Folk Festival, US musician Rhiannon Giddens will be giving the keynote speech.
Day one of the conference includes ‘AMA-UK AmericanaFest UK Welcome & Board Q&A’ followed by panels on 30 January which encompass many talking points within the genre - ‘Diversity in Americana: Breaking Down The Barriers’, ‘Oh Sister, Where Art Thou: Women in Americana Music’, ‘Americana in Film, TV & Games’ and ‘Are You Export Ready?’. On 31 January, there will be a song writing workshop, film and presentation, as well as the final panel of AmericanaFest UK, ‘Honing Your Craft At Songwriting Camps’. Panellists will include Ian Neil (Film Music Supervisor), Samantha Carew (Sky TV Music) and Ben Summer (Music Supervisor at Feel For Music), Matt Biffa (Music Supervisor at Air Edel), Emily Barker (Artist/composer) and Angela Penhaligon (Film, TV & Ads Music Supervisor) amongst other artists and music industry professionals.
AMA-UK are delighted to welcome Bluegrass Situation to AmericanaFest UK 2019 who will be hosting a pre-showcase networking event (open to all wristband holders) with Southern Comfort on the 29 Jan at Night Tales - presenting amazing artists Rachel Baimen and Chance McCoy.
Full List of Awards Nominees:
Lifetime Achievement Award
Selected by the board members, our highest honour is awarded to a UK artist, duo or group in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the Americana genre over the span of their career and life in music. The 2019 recipient will be Graham Nash.
Trailblazer Award
Selected by the board members, this special award celebrates a UK artist, duo or group that has taken an exceptional path, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps in developing the Americana genre. The 2019 recipient will be Joe Boyd.
Bob Harris Emerging Artist Award
Selected by Bob Harris OBE, this special award celebrates the breakthrough artist, duo or group that has particularly impressed the legendary music broadcaster throughout the year. The 2018 recipient will be Curse Of Lono.
Best Selling Americana Album
AMA-UK works with The Official Charts Company to create the UK Americana Album Chart. This Award is given to the bestselling Americana Album by a UK Artist. The 2019 recipient will be announced in January.
Grass Roots Award
Selected by the board members, this special award celebrates the sometimes un-sung heroes of the UK Americana scene. It is presented to individuals working in the industry (in a capacity other than as artists) who have made outstanding efforts to support Americana music from the grass roots up. The 2019 recipients are ImmyDoman and Risa Tabatznik of The Green Note
UK Album of the Year
• All On Red by Orphan Colours (produced by Steve Llewellyn, Fred Abbott and Rupert Christie)
• Bennett Wilson Poole by Bennett Wilson Poole (produced by Tony Poole)
• Shorebound by Ben Glover (produced by Neilson Hubbard and Ben Glover)
• Treetop Flyers by Treetop Flyers (produced by Reid Morrison, Sam Beer and Laurie Sherman)
International Album of the Year
• By The Way I Forgive You by Brandi Carlile (produced by Dave Cobb and Shooter Jennings)
• Let Your Kindness Remain by Courtney Marie Andrews (produced by Mark Howard and Courtney Marie Andrews)
• Ruins by First Aid Kit (produced by Tucker Martine)
• The Tree of Forgiveness by John Prine (produced by Dave Cobb)
UK Song of the Year
• Be More Kind by Frank Turner (written by Frank Turner)
• Chicago by Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker (written by Josienne Clarke)
• Southern Wind by Dean Owens (written by Dean Owens and Will Kimbrough)
• Uh-huh by Jade Bird (written by Jade Bird)
International Song of the Year
• Hold Your Head Up High by Darlingside (written by Auyon Mukharji, Caitlin Canty and Donald Mitchell)
• Mockingbird by Ruston Kelly (written by Ruston Kelly)
• Rolling On by Israel Nash (written by Israel Nash)
• The Joke by Brandi Carlile (written by Brandi Carlile, Dave Cobb, Phil Hanseroth and Tim Hanseroth)
UK Artist of the Year
• Bennett Wilson Poole
• Ethan Johns
• Robert Plant
• The Wandering Hearts
International Artist of the Year
• John Prine
• Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real
• Mary Gauthier
• Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
UK Instrumentalist of the Year
• CJ Hillman
• Gwenifer Raymond
• Martin Harley
• Seth Lakeman
About the AMA-UK
The AMA-UK is a professional trade association representing and advocating for the voice of American roots music in the UK. Its membership comprises musicians, from the UK and overseas, plus professionals from all sectors of the music industry.
Previous recipients of our Special Awards have included Robert Plant, Mumford & Sons, Billy Bragg, Van Morrison, Richard Thompson and Albert Lee. The show is hosted by Bob Harris OBE and awards have been presented by Sir Patrick Stewart, Jools Holland, Bonnie Raitt, Chris Difford, Ricky Ross, Harry Shearer, Timothy B. Schmidt, Jim Lauderdale and Kiki Dee, amongst many others.
