Jason Isbell performs at the Americana Music Festival Honors and Awards show at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.
By Ken Paulson
It’s the rare music awards show that peaks ten minutes in, but that was the case tonight at the Ryman Auditorium for the 13th Annual Americana Music Association Honors and Awards Show. That was when Loretta Lynn, winner of a lifetime achievement award as a songwriter, took the stage and performed “Coal Miner’s Daughter.” It was thrilling and historic at the same time.
Jason Isbell made a bit of history himself, dominating the awards with wins for artist of the year, album of the year and song of the year.
Sturgill Simpson won the emerging artist of the year award and the Milk Carton Kids (very funny tonight while stalling for time) won as the duo of the year.
The least surprising win of this year or any other: Buddy Miller was named instrumentalist of the year.
The full list of honorees:
Album of the Year: “Southeastern,” Jason Isbell, produced by Dave Cobb
Artist of the Year: Jason Isbell
Duo or Group of the Year: The Milk Carton Kids
Song of the Year: “Cover Me Up” by Jason Isbell
Emerging Artist of the Year: Sturgill Simpson
Instrumentalist of the year: Buddy Miller
Free Speech in Music Award presented by the Americana Music Association and the First Amendment Center: Jackson Browne
Lifetime Achievement for Instrumentalist: Flaco Jimenez
Lifetime Achievement for Performance: Taj Mahal
Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriter: Loretta Lynn
President’s Award: Jimmie Rodgers
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