The Americana Music Association UK (AMA-UK) announced the winners of 2021’s UK Americana Awards in a virtual ceremony celebrating the best in the genre both in the UK and internationally.
Courtney Marie Andrews took home the awards for International Artist and International Album of the Year. UK Song of the Year was scooped by Yola and International Song of the Year by The Secret Sisters in their first ever award win. Anna Corcoran, who played on both Robert Vincent and Laura Marling’s latest albums, was named UK Instrumentalist of the Year. The best-selling Americana Album of the Year, in conjunction with The Official Chart Company, was Laura Marling’s ‘Song For Our Daughter’.
Special awards were presented to: Elvis Costello, Mavis Staples, Christine McVie, and Steve Earle. The Bob Harris Emerging Artist Award went to Robbie Cavannagh and Demi Marriner and The Grassroots Award to Music Venue Trust – Mark Davyd and Beverly Whitrick. The late John Prine was honoured with the specially created Songwriter Legacy Award 2021, in celebration of the legendary US singer-songwriter’s life and work.
The UK Americana Awards livestreamed show featured unique performances from: American Aquarium, Courtney Marie Andrews, Emily Barker, Robbi Cavanagh, Elvis Costello, Charley Crockett, Ferris & Sylvester, Steve Earle, Mary Gauthier, Jason Isbell (and the 400 Unit), Austin Lucas, Demi Marriner, Lady Nade, Katie Pruitt, Robert Vincent, Lucinda Williams and Gillian Welch & David Rawlings. Once again presented by Bob Harris OBE, the show also featured appearances from award-winning actor Colin Firth CBE, BBC Radio 2’s Johnnie Walker, BBC Radio 6’s Steve Lamacq and Fleetwood Mac’s Christine McVie.
The Showcase Festival, which ran across two stages on January 26 and 27, 2021, delivered 14 hours of music across two days. For the fourth year in a row, The AMA-UK presented a gender balanced programme; something it champions in all its activities.
Prior to the Awards, a very special John Prine Tribute Show aired with performances from Billy Bragg, Ferris & Sylvester, Ida Mae and many more.
Winners and Special Awards for the UK Americana Awards 2021:
UK Song of the Year
‘I Don’t Wanna Lie’ by Yola (Written by Yola, Dan Auerbach, Bobby Wood)
UK Album of the Year
‘In This Town You’re Owned’ by Robert Vincent (Produced by Ethan Johns)
UK Artist of the Year
Robert Vincent
UK Instrumentalist of the Year
Anna Corcoran
International Song of the Year
‘Hand Over My Heart’ by The Secret Sisters (Written by Elizabeth Rogers, Lydia Lane Rogers)
International Album of the Year
‘Old Flowers’ by Courtney Marie Andrews (Produced by Andrew Sarlo)
International Artist of the Year
Courtney Marie Andrews
Special Awards presented by the AMA-UK Board:
Best Selling Americana Album in conjunction with The Official Charts Company (OCC)
Laura Marling ‘Song For Our Daughter’
Lifetime Achievement Award: Elvis Costello
International Lifetime Achievement Award: Mavis Staples
Trailblazer Award: Christine McVie
International Trailblazer Award: Steve Earle
Songwriter Legacy Award: John Prine
This award was designed this year especially to celebrate the life and work of the legendary songwriter John Prine, who we sadly lost to Coronavirus this year. The board want to recognise the importance of John Prine’s writing in shaping this genre to what it is today.
Bob Harris Emerging Artist Award: Robbie Cavannagh and Demi Marriner
The Bob Harris Emerging Artist Award is selected by Bob Harris OBE, and celebrates the breakthrough artist, duo or group that has particularly impressed the legendary music broadcaster throughout the year. This year’s Award goes to two artists who have shown the true spirit of community during the pandemic and made special efforts to support other artists during this difficult time.
Grassroots Award: Music Venue Trust – Mark Davyd and Beverly Whitrick
Selected by the board members, the Grassroots 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 full list of showcasing artists for 2021 was: Andrew Farriss*, Arnold Richardson*, Beccy Cole*, Brent Cobb*, Charley Crockett*, Charlie Collins*, Chatham County Line*, Chuck Prophet*, Church of Roswell, Cory Gallant*, Courtney Marie Andrews*, Daisy Chute, Dan Bettridge, Dan Sultan*, Danny George Wilson*, Darlingside*, Declan O’Rourke, DeLila Black, Diana Demuth*, Dustbowl Revival, Eddy Smith & The 507, Emily Barker*, Emma Swift, Fanny Lumsden*, Fenn Wilson*, Gill Landry*, Good Lovelies, Gordie MacKeenman & His Rhythm Boys, Grant Lee Phillips, Hamiltones, Hannah White, Haunted Hearts, Ida Mae*, Israel Nash, Jaimee Harris, James Riley, Jason Isbell (and the 400 Unit)*, Jim Lauderdale*, Jim White*, Jimmy Vipperman*, Joana Serrat*, Josh O’Keefe, Joshua Burnside, Judy Blank, Karen Jonas, Katie Pruitt, Kyshona Armstrong, Lakota John*, Larkin Poe, Lauren Housley, Lawrence Maxwell*, Logan Ledger, Lucero*, Massy Ferguson, Megan O’Neill, Michaela Anne*, Mipso, Misty River, Native Harrow*, Our Man in the Field, Peter Bruntnell, Rissi Palmer*, Robert Vincent*, Roseanne Reid, Ruthie Collins, Saije*, Sam Coe, Sarah Potenza, Southern Avenue, The Handsome Family*, The Hanging Stars, The Marriage, The Mavericks*, The Northern Belle, The Wandering Hearts, The War and Treaty, Tracy McNeil*, Tre Burt*, Treetop Flyers*, Troy Cassar-Daley*, True Strays, Wild Ponies.
*Artist performed during a guest host showcase.