Courtney Marie Andrews, Robert Vincent and The Secret Sisters were among the winners at the UK Americana Awards 2021, which took place virtually last night (28 January 2021).
Now in their sixth year, this year’s ceremony took place virtually online, with messages sent in by the winners from all corners of the globe. Once again, the legendary Bob Harris OBE hosted, with presenters including Steve Lamacq, Martin Talbot, Johnny Walker, Larkin Poe, Brandi Carlile – who had a wonderful, life-affirming chat with International Lifetime Achievement Award winner Mavis Staples – and Colin Firth, who presented the International Trailblazer Award to the legendary Steve Earle.
Andrews and Vincent both took home two trophies, with Andrews winning International Artist of the Year and International Album of the Year for her most recent LP, Old Flowers. Vincent was named as UK Artist of the Year and also scored the UK Album of the Year prize for his latest record, In This Town You’re Owned.
Among the performers at the event were nominees Austin Lucas, Ferris & Sylvester, Charley Crockett, Lady Nade, Emily Barker, American Aquarium, Katie Pruitt and Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, as well as Americana icons Lucinda Williams, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings. However the highlight was Mary Gauthier, who performed a tribute to the late John Prine – the recipient of the Songwriter Legacy Award, which Mary presented to his widow Fiona – with Jamie Harris of John’s song Speed Of The Sound Of Loneliness.
The show closed with a performance from Lifetime Achievement Award winner Elvis Costello of his classic song Radio Sweetheart, before all the nominees collaborated on a virtual group rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone – a tribute to the late Gerry Marsden, who passed away this month – led by Liverpool’s own Robert Vincent.
The full list of winners were:
UK Instrumentalist of the Year: Anna Corcoran
UK Song of the Year: I Don’t Wanna Lie – Yola (written by Yola, Dan Auerbach and Bobby Wood)
International Song of the Year: Hand Over My Heart by The Secret Sisters (written by Laura Rogers and Lydia Rogers)
UK Album of the Year: Robert Vincent – In This Town You’re Owned (produced by Ethan Johns)
International Album of the Year: Courtney Marie Andrews – Old Flowers (produced by Andrew Sarlo)
UK Artist of the Year: Robert Vincent
International Artist of the Year: Courtney Marie Andrews
Best Selling Americana Album (in conjuction with the Official Charts Company): 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
Bob Harris Emerging Artist Award: Robbie Cavanaugh and Demi Marriner
Grassroots Award: Music Venue Trust – Mark Davyd and Beverley Whitrick
The UK Americana Awards 2021 is available to watch online until 11 February 2021 via the UK Americana Association website.
