The Americana Music Honors & Awards Nominations were announced on May 14th in Los Angeles (yes, I know I am kind of late on this). It was aired on AXS TV. Unfortunately I don't get that channel, so I missed performances by Elizabeth Cook, Lisa Marie Presley, The Milk Carton Kids and Buddy Miller & Jim Lauderdale. AXS TV did post The Milk Carton Kids performance on Youtube (click here).
[Something to remember is that the nominations are from members of the Americana Music Association. To be a member, you must be an Americana artist or involved in the Americana Music industry. Therefore, the following are nominated and voted on by the artist's peers, not their fans. If it were the fans then we would most likely see a different ballot including more nominations for artists such as Mumford and Sons, The Lumineers, or maybe even Brandi Carlile.]
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Buddy & Jim, Buddy Miller & Jim Lauderdale
Cheater's Game, Kelly Willis & Bruce Robison
From The Ground Up, John Fullbright
O' Be Joyful, Shovels & Rope
Old Yellow Moon, Emmylou Harris/Rodney Crowell
So many great albums! I am especially excited to see that Shovels & Rope and John Fullbright have been nominated in this category. I adore both their albums. Old Yellow Moon is an excellent album that long-time Americana fans would really enjoy. Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell are both big supporters of the Americana genre so that will bode well in their favor.
Prediction: Undoubtedly - Old Yellow Moon
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Buddy Miller
Dwight Yoakam
Emmylou Harris
Richard Thompson
Although I love and respect them, I don't think that Buddy Miller and Emmylou Harris should be nominated in this category this year (wait and hear me out). They both did projects with other people (thus their nominations in the Duo category) and did not do as much on their own. But what can I say? The members of the Americana Music Association clearly love them.
Prediction: Emmylou Harris is so loved by Americana that she would be the obvious winner; however, I think Dwight Yoakam might just sneak up and take this one.
EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR
JD McPherson
John Fullbright
Milk Carton Kids
Shovels and Rope
I completely agree with this category. Of course, there are many emerging artists that I could add to this list, but I won't go there. John Fullbright has a grammy nomination this year, so he definitely deserves a nod. As you all should know, I have been completely enamored by Shovels & Rope for over a year, so I am so very happy and proud of them.
Prediction: They many not win all four of their nominated categories, but Shovels & Rope will definitely take this one home!
SONG OF THE YEAR
Birmingham - Shovels & Rope
Good things Happen to Bad People - Richard Thompson
Ho Hey - The Lumineers
North Side Gal - JD McPherson
I am prepared for some backlash what I am about to say... I'm not a big fan of Richard Thompson's song. Although I think it is one of the best songs off his album and he is overall an incredible songwriter and guitar player, I do not think that it is one of the best in the Americana category for the year. Just my opinion...
"Ho Hey" has been a huge played-out song, so I would have been surprised if that was not nominated. By the way, if you haven't listed to The Lumineers album then you are missing out on songs that are even better than Ho Hey. Personally, I love the charm of "Classy Girls". My other two favorites are "Stubborn Love" and "Slow It Down".
Prediction: Deservedly "Ho Hey" (but I want "Birmingham" to win)
DUO/GROUP OF THE YEAR
Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis
Buddy Miller and Jim Lauderdale
Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell
Shovels & Rope
Shovels & Rope should be so proud to be nominated in this category amongst these Americana legends! Unfortunately, there is no way they will win this category.
Prediction: A sweep by Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell
INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR
Doug Lancio
Larry Campbell
Greg Leisz
Jay Bellerose
Mike Bub
Many albums would not be as good without the support of amazing session musicians. All five of these are highly demanded.
Prediction: I have no idea... Maybe Larry Campbell since he is well-known for his ties to Levon Helm.
FYI: The Americana Music Association announced that they will be revealing their first round of performers for the 2013 Americana Music Festival & Conference on JUNE 10th. Yay!
Reaction to the Americana Music Nominations Plus Predictions
Jim James - 
