The nominees for the 2018 UK Americana Awards were announced last night at a press launch held at London’s Gibson Studio. Performances from Danni Nicholls and The Secret Sisters proceeded the announcement of the nominees which were presented by Baylen Leonard and The Secret Sisters.
The winners will be announced at the award ceremony on the 1st February 2018 following the AmericanaFestUK conference. The awards celebrate the achievements of British and International members of the Americana music community and will once again be hosted by the legendary broadcaster Bob Harris OBE, with Ethan Johns our musical director.
You can find the nominees in each category below and find out more about the AmericanaFestUK Music Conference and Awards here.
UK Album of the Year
• Brilliant Light – Danny & The Champions of The World (produced by Chris Clarke)
• I’ll Make The Most Of My Sins – Robert Vincent (produced by Robert Vincent, Michael Gay and Etienne Girard)
• Proud Disturber Of The Peace – William The Conqueror (produced by Ruarri Joseph and Harry Harding)
• Sweet Kind Of Blue – Emily Barker (produced by Matt Ross-Spang)
International Album of the Year
• A Deeper Understanding – The War On Drugs (produced by Adam Granduciel)
• Honest Life – Courtney Marie Andrews (produced by Courtney Marie Andrews)
• So You Wanna Be An Outlaw – Steve Earle & The Dukes (produced by Richard Bennett)
• The Nashville Sound – Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit (produced by Dave Cobb)
UK Song of the Year
• Devon Brigade – Police Dog Hogan (written by James Studholme)
• Endless Road – Worry Dolls (written by Zoe Nicol, Rosie Jones and Jeff Cohen)
• Home – Yola Carter (written by Yola Carter)
• Moonshine – Foy Vance (written by Foy Vance)
International Song of the Year
• Pa’lante – Hurray For The Riff Raff (written by Alynda Segarra and Pedro Pietri)
• Ready To Die – Aaron Lee Tasjan (written by Aaron Lee Tasjan)
• Tenderheart – Sam Outlaw (written by Sam Outlaw)
• Thirteen Silver Dollars – Colter Wall (written by Colter Wall)
UK Artist of the Year
• Danni Nicholls
• Danny & The Champions of The World
• Emily Barker
• Laura Marling
International Artist of the Year
• Angaleena Presley
• Courtney Marie Andrews
• Imelda May
• Rhiannon Giddens
UK Instrumentalist of the Year
• Georgina Leach
• Kit Hawes
• Harry Harding
• Thomas Collison
SPECIAL AWARDS
Lifetime Achievement Award
The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented 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 2018 recipient will be Robert Plant.
Trailblazer Award
The Trailblazer 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 2018 recipient will be announced in December.
Bob Harris Emerging Artist Award
Selected by Bob Harris OBE, the Bob Harris Emerging Artist Award celebrates the breakthrough artist, duo or group that has particularly impressed the legendary music broadcaster throughout the year. The 2018 recipient will be The Wandering Hearts.
Best Selling Americana Album
The Best Selling Americana Album Award is given to the best selling Americana Album by a UK Artist. The 2018 recipient will be announced in January.
Grass Roots Award
The Grass Roots 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 2018 recipients are Alan Tyler & Steve Arlene.