Billy Bragg will receive The Trailblazer Award at February’s inaugural UK Americana Awards.
The singer/songwriter and political activist was chosen by The Americana Music Association UK (AMA-UK) Board for his contribution to the genre and he will perform on the night.
“I feel honoured to be a part of the first ever Americana Music Association UK Awards night and privileged to be recognised by them with the Trailblazer Award – It’s great to be acknowledged by the AMA-UK community in this way,” says Billy of his award.
The UK Americana Awards will showcase the leading stars of the UK Americana music scene with Danny & The Champions topping the nominations. Acclaimed US singer-songwriter Gretchen Peters, herself a nominee in three categories, will make a special appearance on the night.
The nominations shortlist for the seven membership-voted Awards are:
UK Album of The Year
What Kind of Love – Danny & The Champions of the World (produced by Chris Clarke and Danny George Wilson)
Searching for the Supertruth -The Dreaming Spires (produced by The Dreaming Spires)
The Toerag Sessions – Emily Barker (produced by Liam Watson)
If I Was – The Staves (produced by Justin Vernon)
International Album of the Year
Something More Than Free – Jason Isbell (produced by Dave Cobb)
Pageant Material – Kacey Musgraves (produced by Luke Laird, Shane McAnally and Kacey Musgraves)
Blackbirds – Gretchen Peters (produced by Doug Lancio, Gretchen Peters & Barry Walsh)
Introducing Cale Tyson – Cale Tyson (produced by Cale Tyson)
UK Artist of the Year
Bear’s Den
Danny & The Champions of The World
The Dreaming Spires
Lewis & Leigh
International Artist of the Year
The Bros. Landreth
Jason Isbell
Gretchen Peters
Sturgill Simpson
UK Song of the Year
Agape – Bear’s Den (written by Andrew Davie, Kevin Jones and Johannes Refsdal)
Clear Water – Danny & The Champions of the World (written by Danny George Wilson and Paul Lush)
Rubble – Lewis & Leigh (written by Al Lewis and Alva Leigh)
Black & White – The Staves (written by The Staves)
International Song of the Year
24 Frames – Jason Isbell (written by Jason Isbell)
All These Dreams – Andrew Combs (written by Andrew Combs and Jabe Beyer)
American Middle Class – Angeleena Presley (written by Angeleena Presley)
Blackbirds – Gretchen Peters (written by Gretchen Peters and Ben Glover)
UK Instrumentalist of the Year
Joseph Bennett
BJ Cole
Spencer Cullum Jr
Paul Lush
The winners will be revealed at the awards show on Wednesday 3rd February 2016 at the iconic St. John at Hackney in East London, hosted by legendary broadcaster Bob Harris, with musical direction by award winning producer and musician Ethan Johns.
