Sept. 8 in Americana music: Jimmie Rodgers, known as the “father of country music,” was born on this date in 1897. He’s also arguably the father of roots and Americana music and his work has had a profound impact on generations of artists. He was one of the first three inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame, and later was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
There are countless Rodgers covers and albums, but Steve Forbert, who shared Rodgers’ Meridian, Mississippi roots, did a particularly nice job in 2002. “Any Old Time” gives a contemporary feel to a classic body of work.
Author: Americana Music News
Guy Clark’s 70th birthday: A concert and album
Some of the biggest names in roots, folk and Americana music will be on hand to celebrate Guy Clark’s musical legacy on Nov. 2 in Austin.
“Wish I Was In Austin: A 70th Birthday Tribute to Guy Clark,” which benefits the Center for Texas Music History, will feature performances by Shawn Colvin, Rodney Crowell, Joe Ely, Rosie Flores, Radney Foster, Terri Hendrix, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Jack Ingram, James McMurtry, The Trishas, Jerry Jeff Walker, Kevin Welch, Terry Allen and yes, Guy Clark.
The concert, scheduled for Nov. 2 at the Long Center, will also help promote an ambitious two-CD tribute album saluting Clark. “This One’s For Him: A Tribute to Guy Clark” will be released on November 8.
Ollabelle and Guy Clark move into Americana music top ten
Ollabelle and Guy Clark are new to this week’s Americana Music Association chart, with their new albums ranked seventh and eighth respectively. The marketing and merchandising around the Guy Clark live CD “Songs and Stories” has been fascinating. It was available as an MP3 for one day on Amazon for $3.99, but you can also buy the CD, an autographed print and a T-shirt on Clark’s website for $125. Clearly he’s an artist for all income groups.
Robert Earl Keen’s “Ready for Confetti” moved up to fourth place, following John Hiatt, Gillian Welch and the Jayhawks, who again hold down the top three slots.
New to the chart is Greg Brown’s “Freak Flag.” (Pictured) Among the albums with the most adds this week are Joy Kills Sorrow’s “This Unknown Science” and Johnny Winter’s “Roots.”
Revisiting “O Brother” with deluxe edition
“O Brother Where Art Thou?,” the soundtrack to the 2000 George Clooney film that drove a surge in interest in roots and Americana music, has been re-issued in a deluxe 10th anniversary edition, with a disc of bonus songs, most of which were produced in the original T Bone Burnett sessions: “Hard Time Killing Floor Blues” (Colin Linden), “You Are My Sunshine” (Alan O’Bryant), “Tishamingo County Blues” (John Hartford), “Mood Indigo” (Duke Ellington), “Cow Road” (T Bone Burnett), “I’ll Fly Away” (The Kossoy Sisters), “Big Rock Candy Mountain” (Van Dyke Parks),”Admiration” (Duke Ellington),”Tom Devil” (Ed Lewis and the Prisoners),”Keep On The Sunny Side” (The Cox Family),”Angel Band” (Sarah, Hannah, and Leah Peasall),”Big Rock Candy Mountain” (Norman Blake),”Little Sadie” (Norman Blake), “In The Highways” (The Cox Family),”That Hog’s Foot Further In The Bed” (John Hartford),”The Lord Will Make A Way” (Fairfield Four) and “In The Jailhouse Now” (Harley Allen.)
Burnett spoke about the reissue on “All Songs Considered” recently. You’ll find the NPR interview and clips of the new songs here.
Uncut: The records that shaped John Hiatt
The October 2011 issue of Uncut features John Hiatt on its “My Life In Music” page, inviting Hiatt to list the records that helped shape his life and musical tastes.
The first pick, “Elvis Presley’s take on Bill Monroe’s “Blue Moon of Kentucky” particularly intrigued us. (Yes, that’s the B-side of Sun 209.) “I love the way it straddles two worlds, rock ‘n’ roll and country,” Hiatt recalls, offering a pretty good description of his own career.
Among others on Hiatt’s list: Howlin’ Wolf’s “Spoonful,” Gary U.S. Bonds’ “Quarter to Three,” Stevie Wonder’s “Fingertips Pt. Two,” the McCoys’ “Hang on Sloopy” and Bob Dylan’s “Blonde on Blonde” album.
New acts added to 2012 Cayamo line-up
The bookers for Cayamo have been busy. Newly-added acts for the floating Americana music festival set for February 2012 include Joe Purdy, Bobby Long and Deep River.
They join an impressive line-up that includes Lucinda Williams, Lyle Lovett, John Prine, Keb’ Mo’, John Hiatt, Buddy Miller, Richard Thompson, Loudon Wainwright III, Greg Brown, the Civil Wars, Sara Watkins, James McMurtry, Iris Dement, Shawn Mullins, Edwin McCain, Maia Sharp, The Belle Brigade, Works Progress Administration, Angie Aparo, Chuck Cannon, Enter the Haggis, Winterbloom, Holly Williams, Shannon McNally,Ryan Montbleau Band, Sarah Lee & Johnny Irion, Beth Wood, Aslyn, Sarah Jaffe and Levi Lowrey.
Update: 2011 Americana Music Festival performers
The Americana Music Association just released an updated list of performers who will perform at the Americana Music Festival in Nashville Oct. 12-15.
The biggest new name is Lucinda Williams, who will be part of the Honors and Award show at the Ryman Auditorium.
Other additions to the festival line-up include:
Amanda Shires, Ben Sollee, Blind Boys of Alabama, Rolling Stones sax player Bobby Keys, Brian Wright, Brigitte DeMeyer, Chris Altmann, Deadman, Decoys Muscle Shoals Tribute, The Deep Dark Woods, Eric Brace and Peter Cooper, Farewell Milwaukee, Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen, Gleny Rae Virus and her Tamworth Playboys, Hayes Carll, Henry Wagons, James McMurtry, Meg Hutchison, Mollie O’Brien and Rich Moore, Nanci Griffith, Orbo & The Longshots, Packway Handle Band, Peter Rowan, Romantica, Ryan Tanner, Sam Lianas, Scott Miller and Vic Harrison, Sierra Hull and Highway 111, Tara Nevins, The Milk Carton Kids, cast of the 1861 Project, the Wilders, the Wylos and the Wronglers with Jimmie Dale Gilmore.
Already announced: Amy LaVere, Black Lillies, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, the Bottle Rockets, Carrie Rodriguez, Catherine Britt, The Civil Wars, Connie Smith, The David Mayfield Parade, David Wax Museum, the Dirt Daubers, Elephant Revival, Elizabeth Cook, The Farewell Drifters, Foster and Lloyd, the Gourds, Grayson Capps, the Greencards, Gurf Morlix, Hymn for Her, Ian McLagan, the Jayhawks, JD Souther, John Oates, Kelly Willis and Bruce Robison, Kenny Vaughan, Lake Street Dive, Lera Lynn, Malcolm Holcombe, Marshall Chapman, Marty Stuart, Matraca Berg, New Country Rehab, North Mississippi Allstars, Patrick Sweany, Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three, Tim Easton, Tommy Womack, the Vespers, Will Hoge and Will Kimbrough.
Tommy Womack previews upcoming album “Now What!”
Tommy Womack and the Rush to Judgment closed out its “residency” at the Family Wash in Nashville last night, previewing songs from his upcoming album, set for release in January 2012.
It’s hard to believe that it’s been four years since “THERE I SAID IT,” a funny, melodic and disarmingly honest album. The new album “NOW WHAT” looks to be just as off-center and entertaining, judging by his performances of “Play That Cheap Trick, Cheap Trick Play”, and a spoken word piece “90 Miles an Hour Down a Dead-End Street.”
On his website, Womack also reports that he’s been selected as a showcase artist at the Americana Music Festival in Nashville in October. Good call. Don’t miss him.
In the Media: The 1861 Project
We reported earlier this week on “The 1861 Project,” an Americana music take on the Civil War.Peter Cooper of the Tennessean profiled Thomm Jutz , a songwriter and performer on the f the project, in an article today:
“If you want to know anything about the American Civil War, you should
probably listen to the German guy.
“War swaths over people like a wave, and no matter what, you’re going to be
involved,” says Thomm Jutz, the songwriter and multi-instrumentalist behind a
new, multi-artist album called The 1861 Project: Volume 1, From Farmers to
Foot Soldiers.
“You can’t get away from war, even if you aren’t behind the political reasons
behind the war. For me, there’s some kind of connection between growing up in
Germany after the second World War and being here, now, in the South. In some
ways, they are both defeated cultures.”
It’s a good read. You’ll find it here.
Americana Music chart: Keen’s “Ready for Confetti” soars
Robert Earl Keen’s fine new album (reviewed here this week) “Ready for Confetti” moved into sixth on this week’s Americana Music Chart, while the top five places were unchanged, with John Hiatt, Gillian Welch, the Jayhawks, Kasey Chambers and Joe Ely in the top five spots.
New to the chart: The Bottle Rockets’ “Not So Loud” at 40. (Pictured)
Austin City Limits to showcase Americana Music Festival
The Americana Music Festival has finally found a home on television. In their efforts to build awareness of Americana music, Americana Music Association Executive Director Jed Hilly and his staff have long sought a way to showcase the genre and its stars to a national audience.
The Tennesseean reports today that the festival awards show will be broadcast live on Oct. 13 in Nashville on WNPT, the area’s public television station. An edited version will appear on Nov. 19 as an episode of Austin City Limits.
That’s a huge step forward in building the Americana music brand and the Austin City Limits audience is already attuned to the music and its artists.
Robert Plant, The Civil Wars, Elizabeth Cook, Jim Lauderdale and Gregg Allman are among the artists expected to perform at the show. Editing the full broadcast into a single Austin City Limits show will be an unenviable task.
Hiatt remains at number one; “Eleven Eleven” enters Americana Music top ten
John Hiatt stays on top of the Americana Music Association chart for another week, with Gillian Welch and “The Harrow and the Harvest” remaining at number two. The Jayhawks move up to number three with Mocking Bird Time.
New to the Top 10: Dave Alvin’s “Eleven Eleven,” reviewed here.
New to the chart: Slaid Cleaves’ “Sorrow & Smoke – Live at the Horsehoe Lounge,” Keb Mo’s “The Reflection” and JD Malone and the Experts’ “Avalon.”
Schuyler, Shamblin, Bettis, Brooks and Jackson to enter Nashville Songwriters’ Hall of Fame
The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation announced today that Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, John Bettis, Tom Schuyler (pictured) and Allen Shamblin are its newest inductees.
(Full disclosure: Sun209: Americana Music Journal editor Ken Paulson is on the hall’s board and cast a ballot for nominees.)
The hall’s press release:
The five new inductees will be welcomed into the elite songwriting community by their peers at the41st Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony, presented by AT&T, on Sunday, October 16th at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel.
“These five very talented individuals are among an era of powerhouse writers and artists who propelled country music to unparalleled heights beginning in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and also made substantial contributions to popular and rock music,” said John Van Mol, chairman of NaSHOF. “We look forward to a fantastic evening of recognition for our inductees, and great entertainment for all who attend.”
Van Mol said the NaSHOF board of directors decided to increase the number of inductees this year to five from the traditional three, as has been done in some years in the past. “Songwriters and songwriter/artists with ties to Nashville have made our city the songwriting capital of the world,” Van Mol said. “This year’s inductees have greatly enhanced that reputation and are richly deserving of Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame honors.”
Bettis’ songwriter credits include Pop/Country crossover hits such as “Top Of The World” (The Carpenters, Lynn Anderson) and “Slow Hand” (The Pointer Sisters, Conway Twitty). Schuyler’s resume is known for hits such as “Love Will Turn You Around” (Kenny Rogers) and “A Long Line Of Love” (Michael Martin Murphey). Shamblin is the tunesmith behind “I Can’t Make You Love Me” (Bonnie Raitt) and “The House That Built Me” (Miranda Lambert). Brooks popularized many of his own compositions such as “The Thunder Rolls” and “The River.” Jackson created hits from many of his self-penned songs such as “Chattahoochee” and “Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning).”
The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony is one of the music industry’s foremost events of the year. The evening features tributes and performances of the inductees’ songs by special guest artists. NaSHOF’s sister organization, the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), also presents its annual awards for the year’s best Song, Songwriter and Songwriter/Artist, as well as the Top 10 “Songs I Wish I Had Written,” as determined by the professional songwriters division.
A 2011 inductee into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York,John Bettis is the only songwriter of his generation who has repeatedly topped the Pop, Country, R&B and Adult Contemporary charts. His biggest Country hits include “Heartland” (George Strait), “Only One Love In My Life” (Ronnie Milsap) and “One Of A Kind Pair Of Fools” (Barbara Mandrell). His successes on the Pop hit parade include “One Moment In Time” (Whitney Houston), “Human Nature” (Michael Jackson) and “Crazy For You” (Madonna). “Top Of The World” topped both charts (Lynn Anderson, The Carpenters), as did his Nashville-written “Slow Hand” (The Pointer Sisters, Conway Twitty), while The Carpenters’ “I Need To Be In L ove” and “Yesterday Once More” topped the AC charts. The California native has been co-writing in Nashville since 1971 and has been a full-time resident since 1996.
Certified by the RIAA as the #1 selling solo artist in US history,Garth Brooks has sold more than 128 million albums and is the only solo artist in RIAA history to have six albums top the 10 million mark. His most recent release The Ultimate Hits has been certified 5x platinum. His body of work includes groundbreaking albums No Fences, Ropin’ The Wind, The Hits and Double Live – all of which helped propel country music as a genre to the front pages of newspapers and magazines worldwide. Since breaking onto the charts in 1989, Brooks has covered a variety of styles, including working class blues, honky tonk, bluegrass and arena rock. As a songwriter his credits include“If Tomorrow Never Comes,” “The Thunder Rolls,” “Unanswered Prayers” and“We Shall Be Free,” to name a few. Brooks has received every accolade the recording industry can bestow on an artist, inclu ding two Grammys®, 17 American Music Awards, 11 Country Music Association Awards, 18 Academy of Country Music Awards, five World Music Awards, 12 People’s Choice Awards, and 36 Billboard Music Awards. He was named Artist of the ‘90s at the 1997 Blockbuster Entertainment Awards, received the Artist Achievement Award at the 1997 Billboard Music Awards, was named Artist of the Decade at the American Music Awards in 2000 and the Academy of Country Music Awards in 1999. In 2001, in the midst of one of the most successful careers in music history, Brooks retired and moved back to Oklahoma to raise his children. In 2008, Brooks headlined President Obama’s Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial. In 2009, Brooks emerged out of retirement and entered a five-year performing relationship with Las Vegas resort developer, Steve Wynn. He recently finished an astonishing nine concerts to raise $5 million for the flood relief efforts in Nashville, Tennessee.
Alan Jackson’s songs are distinguished by straightforward, honest and back-to-basics Country sincerity. He has written or co-written 24 #1 songs for himself, including “Remember When,” “Good Time,” “Drive (For Daddy Gene),” “Don’t Rock The Jukebox,” “Where I Come From” and the career highlights “Chattahoochee” and “Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning).” “Chattahoochee” won a CMA Song of the Year award. “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” won Song of the Year honors from the CMA, the ACM and the Grammys. He was ASCAP’s Country Songwriter of the Year in 1993, 1994 and 1998; Jackson was ASCAP’s Country Songwriter/Artist of the Year in 2002, 2003, 2008 and 2009; and in 2010 he was honored with the prestigious ASCAP Founders Award. Jack son was NSAI’s Songwriter/Artist of the Year in 1991, 1992, 2002, 2007 and 2008. In addition, he has penned or co-written hits for other artists, notably the #1 songs “A Better Class Of Losers” (Randy Travis) and “If I Could Make A Living” (Clay Walker). The Georgia native is a three-time CMA Entertainer of the Year and a member of the Grand Ole Opry – in fact, he’s one of the most-honored singer-songwriters of the last 20 years, with a total of two Grammys, 16 CMA Awards and 17 ACM Awards to his credit. Jackson’s songs span 13 studio albums, three hits collections, two holiday albums and a critically-acclaimed gospel album with combined global sales of nearly 60-million. He was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 2001. One of country music’s most-prolific songwriters, Jackson’s latest hit is “Long Way to Go,” the first singl e from his forthcoming debut album on EMI Records Nashville and his own ACR (Alan’s Country Records) venture. Recent credits also include “You’d Be Lonesome, Too,” from the new Lost Notebooks of Hank Williams project, spearheaded by Bob Dylan. Jackson completed the song based on original unfinished lyrics by the legend.
During his Nashville career, Bethlehem, PA native Thom Schuyler has worn many hats — A&R executive at RCA; recording artist for Capitol Records (solo) and for MTM Records (as a member of the trios S-K-O [Schuyler, Knobloch & Overstreet] and S-K-B [Schuyler, Knobloch & Bickhardt]) and songwriting instructor at Belmont University. Additionally, he is often credited as a founder of Nashville’s popular “in the round” style of songwriter showcases. After moving to Music City in 1978, Thom was signed to Eddie Rabbitt’s publishing company. In 1982, Thom’s “Love Will Turn You Around” (Kenny Rogers) was named ASCAP Country Song of the Year. Other songwriting credits include “I Don’t Know Where To Start” (Eddie Rabbitt), “A Long Line Of Love” (Michael Martin Murphey), “My Old Yello w Car” (Dan Seals), “I Fell In Love Again Last Night” (The Forester Sisters), “Years After You” (John Conlee) and “Love Out Loud” (Earl Thomas Conley). His “Point of Light” (Randy Travis) was the theme song for President George H.W. Bush’s volunteerism campaign. “16th Avenue” (Lacy J. Dalton) is the unofficial anthem of Music Row’s songwriting community.
Allen Shamblin was born in Tennessee but raised near Houston, Texas. He moved to Music City in 1987. He is noted for heartfelt sentimentality in such hit titles as “He Walked On Water” (Randy Travis), “In This Life” (Collin Raye) and “Life’s A Dance” (John Michael Montgomery), as well as hits such as “Thinkin’ Problem” (David Ball), “Walk On Faith” (Mike Reid) and “We Were In Love” (Toby Keith). His co-written “Don’t Laugh At Me” (Mark Wills) won NSAI’s 1998 Song of the Year. Among his Contemporary Christian cuts is the Dove-Award winner “It’s In God’s Hands Now” (Anointed). His biggest successes have come with Bonnie Raitt’s Grammy-nominated Pop renditi on of “I Can’t Make You Love Me” and “The House That Built Me” (Miranda Lambert), which was named 2010 Song of the Year by NSAI, the ACM and the CMA.
David Olney dons his “Boots”
OK, it’s the least likely music video ever, but the sight of David Olney surrounded by mini-skirted dancers while he sings a Nancy Sinatra hit is pretty irresistible.
Lee Hazelwood wrote “Boots,” so it’s not a stretch for Olney to channel Hazelwood’s rough-hewn voice here. It’s goofy and we like it.
In other Olney news, the fine singer-songwriter did an interesting interview with F. Daniel Kent.
An excerpt about Olney’s move to Nashville: “At the time the Outlaw country was what was going on. It was a pretty wide open scene. The guy who was the model for everyone was Guy Clark because he had gotten the record deal. He was this guy that you could run into. He seemed to be in the same business that you were in. Guy has done a lot of great things, but for me in the beginning he set such a decent and very high standard for what was a good song.”
Americana Music Festival announces artists
The Americana Music Festival, scheduled for Oct.12-15, 2011 in Nashville, is unveiling more details about the performances:
From the AMA’s press release:
“More than 100 of the genres’ trailblazers and rising stars will perform in the talent packed showcases that draw music lovers from all over the world. Among the first round of artists announced are: Gurf Morlix, Foster & Lloyd, JD Souther, Will Hoge, Elizabeth Cook, Marty Stuart and Marshall Chapman. They’ll be joined by buzz-worthy up and coming acts The Civil Wars, Amy LaVere, The Farewell Drifters, Catherine Britt and The David Mayfield Parade along with others listed below.
Festival Showcase Artists confirmed to play so far include:
Amy LaVere ~ Black Lillies ~ Blackie and the Rodeo Kings ~ The Bottle Rockets ~ Carrie Rodriguez ~ Catherine Britt ~ The Civil Wars ~ Connie Smith ~ The David Mayfield Parade ~ David Wax Museum ~ The Dirt Daubers ~ Elephant Revival ~ Elizabeth Cook ~ The Farewell Drifters ~ Foster & Lloyd ~ The Gourds ~ Grayson Capps ~ The Greencards ~ Gurf Morlix ~ Hymn for Her ~ Ian McLagan ~ The Jayhawks ~ JD Souther ~ John Oates ~ Kelly Willis & Bruce Robison ~ Kenny Vaughan ~ Lake Street Dive ~ Lera Lynn~ Malcolm Holcombe~ Marshall Chapman ~ Marty Stuart ~ Matraca Berg ~ New Country Rehab ~ North Mississippi Allstars ~ Patrick Sweany ~ Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three ~ Tim Easton ~ Tommy Womack & the Rush to Judgment ~ The Vespers ~ Will Hoge~ Will Kimbrough and more tba.”
Band Perry to headline the Ryman Auditorium
That was fast.
The Band Perry, a very young band with a very popular album, has been booked to headline the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on Feb. 20, 2012.
Tcikets will go on sale on Aug.26.
From the Ryman website:
“While TBP has previously graced the Ryman stage during the Grand Ole Opry and other multi-artist events, this will be their debut as headliners on this revered stage.
“We are so excited to headline the Ryman, which holds a very special place in the heart of everyone in country music. It truly is an amazing experience to step on that stage – we can’t wait to spend a whole evening there, sharing our stories and becoming a part of its history,” said Kimberly, Reid and Neil Perry.
Three people. One quote. They said it in unison?
Cayamo Road Trip wraps up
Tim Brantley in Nashville
Cayamo is an Americana music festival on a cruise ship, and we’re fans. That’s why we were intrigued with its current road show promotion, traveling by bus to a number of markets to promote Sixthman cruises.Chuck Cannon was the headliner on the final show of the tour, closing things out in his hometown of Nashville. Cannon has always been a repected songwriter, but his intimate and irreverent performances on Cayamo have made him a cruise favorite.
Opening for him were the Trailer Park Ninjas, who reportedly play covers on some Sixthman cruises, but unveiled a nice selection of original material, and Tim Brantley, whose “Heart of Stone,” a song about finding the right person, was a highlight of the evening.
NPR’s “All Things Considered” recently featured “I Love: Songs of Fox Hollow,” the Red Beet tribute to Tom T. Hall and his classic kids’ record. You’ll find the audio report Nick Lowe at the Country Music Hall of Fame
Nick Lowe, a remarkable songwriter and performer who rose to fame as a member of Brinsley Schwarz and as a New Wave artist and producer, will appear at the Country Music Hall of Fame at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 20, in an interview setting. It’s a treat to see him in any format, but the Country Music Hall of Fame goes to some lengths to explain why he’s a welcome guest in a country music setting:
British pop legend Nick Lowe could claim legitimate country credentials on the strength of having written “The Beast in Me,” recorded by Johnny Cash for 1994’s American Recordings, and having married Carlene Carter, daughter of Country Music Hall of Fame member Carl Smith and June Carter. That would be enough. But there’s a whole lot more that points to Lowe’s affinity for hillbilly fare: Cash also recorded his “Without Love,” and Lowe’s own recording of “Man That I’ve Become” bows deeply to Cash (and Luther Perkins). Over the years, Lowe’s repertoire has included covers of country pearls from Faron Young, Ray Price, and Charlie Feathers, among others. On The Old Magic, due Sept. 13, Lowe picks off another gem with a cover of Tom T. Hall’s “Shame on the Rain.” Lowe has graciously agreed to visit the museum to talk about his work in a special Songwriters Session that will combine interview and performance.
Lowe’s work spans almost four decades and the quality remains high. His new album “The Old Magic” will be released Sept. 13 and Lowe will be back in Nashville to open for Wilco at the Ryman Auditorium on Oct. 1 and 2.
Hiatt tops Americana Music charts again, Jeff Bridges makes debut
John Hiatt’s “Dirty Jeans and Mudslide Hymns” topped the Americana Music Association chart for a second week, with Gillian Welch and Kasey Chambers remaining in the second and third slots. The Jayhawks and Joe Ely round out the top five. New to the chart this week: Guy Clark’s “Songs and Stories” (28), Jeff Bridge’s solo debut (34) and Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three’s “Middle of Everywhere.” (40)