The Americana Music Association UK has chosen celebrated singer-songwriter and guitarist Richard Thompson to receive its highest honour, the UK Americana Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition of his contribution to the Americana genre over the span of his career and life in music.
Acknowledged as one of the world’s greatest guitarists and most prolific songwriters, Thompson has been a ground-breaking force both in terms of his own acclaimed albums and live shows and his influence on other musicians. Richard commented: “I’m deeply honoured to receive this award. My heartfelt thanks to AMA-UK.”
The announcement took place at the launch for the 2017 UK Americana Awards, held at Gibson Studios in London, co-presented by Imelda May and Baylen Leonard.
“I was so pleased to be asked to present the nomination party alongside Baylen. The AMAUK are a fantastic organisation doing so much to support up and coming UK Americana talent and the awards are a great excuse to celebrate everything achieved so far!” Imelda May
The nominations shortlist for the seven membership-voted Awards was also announced and the winners will be revealed at the second annual Awards show on Thursday 2nd February 2017 at St John at Hackney. The show will be hosted by legendary broadcaster Bob Harris and will feature performances from nominees and award winners, including Richard Thompson.
The awards show also coincides with the first anniversary of the Official Americana Albums Chart, which was launched in 2016 by the Official Charts Company in partnership with the AMA-UK and is piublished each week on Officialcharts.com. To celebrate the occasion, the best-selling UK Americana album of 2016 will be recognised with a special award .
The UK Americana Awards are part of AmericanaFest UK, a two-day event which will also include an evening of showcases on Wednesday 1st February featuring 20 bands playing in various venues around Hackney and daytime conferences on both days.
The AMA-UK is a professional trade association representing and advocating for the voice of American Roots music in the UK. Its membership comprises musicians, both from the UK and overseas, plus professionals from all sectors of the music industry. At the inaugural UK Americana Awards earlier this year, Billy Bragg received the UK Americana Trailblazer Award, and presenters at the prestigious show included Bonnie Raitt, Chris Difford, Elizabeth McGovern and Ricky Ross.
AMERICANA UK AWARDS 2017 NOMINEES
UK Album of the Year
Ghost by Lewis & Leigh (produced by Matt Ingram)
Mockingbird Lane by Danni Nicholls (produced by Chris Donohue)
Nos Da Comrade by Peter Bruntnell (produced by Peter Bruntnell)
Palomino by Treetop Flyers (produced by Treetop Flyers)
International Album of the Year
A Sailor’s Guide To Earth by Sturgill Simpson (produced by Sturgill Simpson)
American Band by Drive-By Truckers (produced by David Barbe)
Angeleno by Sam Outlaw (produced by Joachim Cooder and Ry Cooder)
Midwest Farmer’s Daughter by Margo Price (produced by Alex Munoz and Matt Ross-Spang)
UK Song of the Year
‘Mr Sunshine’ by Peter Bruntnell (written by Peter Bruntnell and Bill Ritchie)
‘Silver Liner’ by Ethan Johns & the Black-Eyed Dogs (written by Ethan Johns)
‘Tend To The Thorns’ by William the Conqueror (written by Ruarri Joseph)
‘The 4:19’ by Lewis & Leigh (written by Al Lewis and Alva Leigh)
International Song of the Year
‘Dust’ by Lucinda Williams (written by Lucinda Williams)
‘Hands of Time’ by Margo Price (written by Margo Price)
‘Somebody Save Me’ by Cale Tyson (written by Cale Tyson)
‘Welcome To Earth (Pollywog)’ by Sturgill Simpson (written by Sturgill Simpson)
UK Artist of the Year
Bear’s Den
Billy Bragg
Lewis & Leigh
Yola Carter
International Artist of the Year
Margo Price
Mary Chapin Carpenter
Richmond Fontaine
Sturgill Simpson
UK Instrumentalist of the Year
CJ Hillman
Dave Little
Henry Senior
Kirk Bowman
Lifetime Achievement Award
Richard Thompson
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