Also featured will be Buddy Miller, the show’s musical director, leading his Americana All-Star Band comprised of Don Was, The McCrary Sisters. Bryon Owings, Jerry Pentecost, Jen Gunderman, Jim Hoke, and Larry Campbell. Check your local TV listings or click on the link that follows (https://www.pbs.org/tv_schedules/), insert your zip code and search for “Americana” to find out when the show airs in your area.

Winners in the 2024 Americana Honors and Awards were recognized during an awards show in Nashville, Tennessee in September that is a highlight of AMERICANAFEST, a six-day festival and conference celebrating American roots-inspired music that is hosted by the Americana Music Association.

Sierra Ferrell’s Trail of Flowers (produced by Eddie Spear and Gary Paczosa) was named Album of the Year, while Ferrell was named Artist of the Year. The Duo/Group of the Year award was bestowed on Larkin Poe, while The Red Clay Strays were named Emerging Act of the Year and Grace Bowers was named Instrumentalist of the Year. “Dear Insecurity” by Brandy Clark& featuring Brandi Carlile (written by Clark and Michael Pollack) was named Song of the Year.

In addition to the six awards that were voted on by members of the Americana Music Association, Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to Dave Alvin, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Rev. Gary Davis, Shelby Lynne, Don Was, and Dwight Yoakam

AMERICANAFEST annually draws thousands of artists, fans and music industry professionals to Nashville. It features daytime panel discussions and seminars and evenings chock-full of showcases throughout the Music City. The Americana Music Association (americanamusic.org), which produces the event, is a professional not-for-profit trade association whose mission is to advocate for the authentic voice of American roots music around the world.

Tyler Childers’ Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven? was named Album of the Year, while Bonnie Raitt’s “Just Like That” was named Song of the Year. Billy Strings is 2023’s Artist of the Year, while The War and Treaty is the year’s Duo/Group of the Year, and S.G. Goodman is its Emerging Act of the Year. Americana Music Association members also voted SistaStrings as Instrumentalist of the Year.

Tyler Childers (Album of the Year – Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven?) is a 32-year-old singer-songwriter whose music blends neo-traditional country, bluegrass and folk. Although the crooner released his first album independently in 2011, it wasn’t until 2017 that he started to get international attention with the release of Purgatory, a breakout album that helped to prompt invites to perform at Bonnaroo, the Grand Ole Opry, Lollapalooza, Merlefest, and the Newport Folk Festival. His latest release is 2023’s Rustlin’ in the Rain. [Here’s a link to enjoy Tyler Childers’ official video for “In Your Love”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=II-L8Hq0_i4.]

Bonnie Raitt (Song of the Year) is an acclaimed singer-songwriter and guitarist. A ten-time Grammy Award-winner, she has been performing and recording for more than 50 years. “Just Like That” is the title track of her 21st album — her first new release in more than six years. It also was the recipient of a coveted Grammy Award for Song of the Year, as well as Best American Roots Song in the 65th annual Grammy Awards presented by The Recording Academy earlier this year. [Here’s a link to view the official lyric video for Bonnie Raitt’s “Just Like That”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Skd0XR3twCA.]

The War and Treaty (Duo/Group of the Year), the husband and wife team of Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter, was named Duo/Group of the Year for a second consecutive year. The two, who are signed to Universal Music Group, have been performing together since 2014. Their musical repertoire features a mix of Americana, blues, country, folk, rock, and soul. The War and Treaty was previously named Artist of the Year in the 2020 International Folk Music Awards presented by Folk Alliance International and Emerging Artist of the Year in the 2019 Americana Honors and Awards. [Here’s a link to enjoy the official music video for The War and Treaty’s “Have You A Heart”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qw9VYGlhQAQ.]

S.G. Goodman (Emerging Artist of the Year) is a Kentucky-born and based singer-songwriter who is signed to Verve Forecast Records. She performed at the Newport Folk Festival in 2021 and has released two albums that feature a mix of Americana, folk, country, and rock.

SistaStrings (Instrumentalist of the Year) is a duo comprised of sisters Monique (cello) and Chauntee Ross (violin), who have seen their musical fortunes rise since moving to Nashville from Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 2011. As the daughters of two ministers, they grew up playing gospel and classical music in church, later expanding their musical horizons to include work on country, folk and hip-hop pr0jects. Last year, SistaStrings collaborated with Milwaukee-based singer-songwriter Peter Mulvey on his Righteous Babe album, Love Is the Only Thing – lending both their instrumental talents and vocal harmonies. They have also toured with both Allison Russell and Brandi Carlisle. [Here’s a link to enjoy the classic folk song “Shenandoah,” as performed by Peter Mulvey and SistaStrings:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mLSPsKBXB0.]

Lifetime Achievement Honorees Also Recognized

Recognized as Lifetime Achievement, Trailblazer and Legacy Award honorees were The Avett Brothers, George Fontaine, Sr., Patty Griffin, Bettye LaVette, and Nickel Creek. The Avett Brothers are folk rocking’ North Carolina-based roots music icons and four-time Americana Award winners. George Fontaine, Sr. is co-founder and owner of New West Records, an indie label that has released nearly 500 albums – including many by Americana artists, as well as CDs and DVDS from the PBS television program Austin City Limits. Austin, Texas-based singer-songwriter Patty Griffin is a two-time Grammy Award-winner and 2007 Americana Artist of the Year, who has released nearly a dozen albums and been an inspiration to many other artists – a number of whom have covered her songs. Bettye LaVette, the 2023 Legacy Award recipient, is a soulful singer- and interpreter of American song, whose musical career spans more than 60 years. Nickel Creek is a multiple Grammy Award-winning, innovative and virtuosic acoustic Americana, bluegrass and folk-rock band.

“This year’s Lifetime Achievement honorees represent the diverse sounds that contribute to the American roots music canon,” said Jed Hilly, the Americana Music Association’s executive director. “Our honorees have inspired this community individually and have collectively changed the landscape of the music industry.”

Musical performance highlights from the 22nd Annual Americana Honors & Awards show will be featured on a special episode of Austin City Limits that is set to air on PBS television stations on November 25.

AmericanaFest, which began Sept. 22 and continues through Sept. 25, is a festival and conference filled with daytime panel discussions and seminars and evenings chock-full of artist showcases at venues throughout the Music City. Established in 1999, the Americana Music Association is a professional not-for-profit trade association whose mission is to advocate for the authentic voice of American roots music around the world. Visit americanamusic.org for more information.

As previously reported on AcousticMusicScene.com (click here), winners in the 2022 Americana Honors & Awards were recognized during an awards show in Nashville, Tennessee on September 14 that is a highlight of AMERICANAFEST, a six-day festival and conference celebrating American roots-inspired music that is hosted by the Americana Music Association. Outside Child by Allison Russell was named Album of the Year, while “Right On Time” performed by Brandi Carlile (and written by her, Dave Cobb, Phil Hanseroth and Tim Hanseroth) won Song of the Year. Billy Strings was named Artist of the Year, while The War And Treaty was tapped as Duo/Group of the Year. Sierra Ferrell took home Emerging Act of the Year honors, while Larissa Maestro was named Instrumentalist of the Year.

In addition to the six awards that were voted on by members of the Americana Music Association, several lifetime achievement and other special awards were presented. Fairfield Four were the recipients of the Legacy of Americana Award, while lifetime achievement awards for performance and executive went to Chris Isaak and Al Bell, respectively. The folk-rocking Indigo Girls received the Spirit of Americana/ Free Speech in Music award, while the President’s Award went to the late country music great Don Williams.

Circle Network is included in many U.S. cable providers’ channel line-ups or via your TV’s digital antenna. Circle is also available on such streaming platforms as Peacock, the Roku Channel and XUMO. In addition, ACL Presents: The 21st Annual Americana Honors, a special episode of Austin City Limits featuring performance highlights, will air on PBS stations in early 2023. Check your local listings for dates and times.

AMERICANAFEST annually draws thousands of artists, fans and music industry professionals to Nashville. It features daytime panel discussions and seminars and evenings chock-full of showcases throughout the Music City. The Americana Music Association (americanamusic.org), which produces the event, is a professional not-for-profit trade association whose mission is to advocate for the authentic voice of American roots music around the world.

Brandi Carlile, a folk-rock and Americana singer-songwriter who was named Artist of the Year for a second time during the awards show that was presented at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee last September 22, is among the artists whose performances were captured for this special episode. Also featured — in order of appearance — are performances by Fisk Jubilee Singers with Leon Timbo, Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan and Joe Henry, Allison Russell, The Highwomen (Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hembry, Maren Morris, and Amanda Shires) with Yola, Jason Isbell, Valerie June and Carla Thomas, Emerging Act Award-winner Charley Crockett, Amythyst Kiah, Buddy Miller (the show’s musical director), and The Mavericks. The Fisk Jubilee Singers, The Mavericks and “Queen of Memphis Soul” Carla Thomas were recognized as Lifetime Achievement Award honorees last September.

The Americana Honors & Awards show is a centerpiece of the annual AmericanaFest, a multi-day celebration of American roots-inspired music put on by the Americana Music Association each fall. A combination festival and conference, it is filled with daytime panel discussions and seminars and evenings chock-full of artist showcases at venues throughout the Music City. Established in 1999, the Americana Music Association is a professional not-for-profit trade association whose mission is to advocate for the authentic voice of American roots music around the world.

Here’s a link to an article about the Americana Honors & Awards that was posted on AcousticMusicScene.com on September 23, 2021.

Comprised of Brandi Carlile, Amanda Shires, Natalie Hembry and Maren Morris, The Highwomen burst on the country-Americana scene during last summer’s Newport Folk Festival. Carlile and Hembry co-wrote “Crowded Table,” along with Lori McKenna.

Here’s a link to view the official video for “Crowded Table” by The Highwomen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubNY-CPAp_I

Carlile, a folk-rock and Americana singer-songwriter, who was named Artist of the Year in the 2019 Americana Honors & Awards and was among the nominees in that category this year, also was the big winner in the American Roots Music Field during the 61st annual Grammy Awards presented by the Recording Academy at which her eighth album, By The Way, I Forgive You, was named Best Americana Album, while one of its tracks (“The Joke”) was named both Best American Roots Performance and Best American Roots Song.

John Prine, the revered songwriter, who died April 7 at the age of 73 from complications of the coronavirus (COVID-19), was named Artist of the Year. He was the big winner in last year’s Americana Honors & Awards. His 2019 release, The Tree of Forgiveness, was named Album of the Year, while “Summer’s End” was voted Song of the Year. Prine, who previously won Grammy Awards for two of his albums, also was honored by The Recording Academy with its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020.

Black Pumas, an Austin, Texas-based psychedelic soul band was named Emerging Act of the Year, while Nashville, Tennessee-based fiddler Brittany Haas – a solo artists who is also in the quartet Hawktail and has been part of the chamber-grass band Crooked Still and the house band for Live From Here, among others_ — was honored as Instrumentalist of the Year.

The Americana Honors & Awards is usually a highlight of Americanafest, a six-day festival and conference celebrating American roots-inspired music that is put on by the Americana Music Association. Since the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the professional not-for-profit trade association from hosting the live event this fall, it announced the winners via its website (https://americanamusic.org) and social media channels.

With nods for Album of the Year (A Sailor’s Guide to Earth), Artist of the Year and Song of the Year (“All Around You”), Sturgill Simpson has the most nominations for this year’s American Honors and Awards. The Kentucky-bred and Nashville-based singer-songwriter was previously honored as Emerging Artist of the Year in 2014 and Artist of the Year in 2015, while his “Turtles All The Way Down” was named Song of the Year in 2015. A Sailor’s Guide to Earth, his third studio album and first major label release, received the Grammy Award for Best Country Album earlier this year, while Simpson was named International Artist of the Year in the UK American Awards. Rodney Crowell, Drive-By Truckers and Lori McKenna each were nominated in two of the six AMA member-voted awards categories.

Here’s a listing of the nominees:

Album of the Year
American Band – Drive-By Truckers
Close Ties – Rodney Crowell
Freedom Highway – Rhiannon Giddens
The Navigator – Hurray for the Riff Raff
A Sailor’s Guide to Earth – Sturgill Simpson

Artist of the Year
Jason Isbell
John Prine
Lori McKenna
Margo Price
Sturgill Simpson

Duo/Group of the Year
Billy Bragg & Joe Henry
Drive-By Truckers
Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives
The Lumineers

Emerging Artist of the Year
Aaron Lee Tasjan
Amanda Shires
Brent Cobb
Sam Outlaw

Song of the Year
“All Around You” – Sturgill Simpson
“It Ain’t Over Yet” – Rodney Crowell (with Rosanne Cash and John Paul White)
“To Be Without You” – Ryan Adams
“Wreck You” – Lori McKenna (co-written with Felix McTeigue)

Instrumentalist of the Year
Spencer Collum, Jr.
Jen Gunderman
Courtney Hartman
Charlie Sexton

In addition to these six Americana Music Association member-voted awards, Lifetime Achievement Awards will be presented to Van Morrison (Songwriter), Robert Cray (Performance), Hi Rhythm Section (Instrumentalist), Iris DeMent (Trailblazer), Graham Nash (Spirit of Americana/Free Speech in Music), and Larry Sloven and Bruce Bromberg for Hightone Records (Executive).

AmericanaFest, which extends from September 12-17, is expected to draw several thousand artists, industry professionals and fans for plenty of learning and networking opportunities during days filled with panel discussions and seminars and evenings chock-full of artist showcases at venues throughout the Music City.

Established in 1999, the Americana Music Association is a professional trade association whose mission is to advocate for the authentic voice of American Roots Music throughout the world. For more information, visit www.americanamusic.org.

Recorded live during the American Music Association’s 15th Annual Honors & Awards ceremony at Nashville’s storied Ryman Auditorium on Sept. 21, the music-filled hour-long show will feature many of the evening’s award-winners and honorees.

Singer-songwriter Jason Isbell, who took home trophies for Album of the Year (Something More Than Free) and Song of the Year (“24 Frames”) — accompanied by his wife, fiddler Amanda Shires, and his band, The 400 Unit — performs “if It Takes a Lifetime. The former Drive-By-Trucker is now the recipient of six Americana Awards.

The Honors & Awards ceremony celebrates authentic, diverse and original music from many genres, both traditional and contemporary. “If you can taste the dirt through your ears, that is Americana,” says Jed Hilly, executive director of the Americana Music Association. “It is music that is derived or inspired by American roots traditions.”

The broadcast features tributes to three roots music luminaries who died within the last year: country outlaw Merle Haggard, troubadour Guy Clark, and bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley. Grateful Dead founder Bob Weir, the night’s Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree for Performance, opens the show with a rendition of Haggard’s iconic “Mama Tried.” Steve Earle performs Clark’s classic Desperados Waiting for a Train.” And Alison Krauss sings Stanley’s “Gloryland,” a cappella, joined by Buddy Miller, Melonie Cannon and Stuart Duncan.

The PBS broadcast also features performances of “Bring It On Home” by Duo/Group of the Year honoree Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell and “What I Don’t Know” by honky-tonk maverick Dwight Yoakam. 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award honoree Bonnie Raitt performs “Gypsy in Me” (backed by gospel greats The McCrary Sisters) and joins Stax soul legend William Bell, the 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award honoree for Songwriting, on “The Three of Me,” accompanied by producer John Leventhal on guitar. Emerging Artist Award-winner Margo Price sings her “Tennessee Song,” while up-and-coming Americana sensation Parker Millsap is joined by Sarah Jarosz and Aoife O’Donovan on backing vocals as he performs “Heaven Sent” from his critically acclaimed Album of the Year-nominated release. The Lumineers perform a new song, Angela,” while Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats perform “Wasting Time.” Country music star George Strait closes out the broadcast with a performance of his signature “King of Broken Hearts, “ joined by songwriter Jim Lauderdale, the Americana Honors & Awards show’s host for 14 consecutive years and a Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.

The Americana Honors & Awards show was a highlight of AmericanaFest, the Americana Music Festival and Conference, which extended from September 20-25 and featured lots of learning and networking opportunities as well as musical entertainment at various venues throughout the Music City.

Here’s a link to an article entitled 2016 Americana Honors and Awards Presented that was previously posted on AcousticMusicScene.com:

https://acousticmusicscene.com/2016/09/27/2016-americana-honors-and-awards-presented/

Established in 1999, the Americana Music Association is a professional trade association dedicated to building and promoting the Americana genre and the individuals who participate in the industry. For more information, visit www.americanamusic.org.

Since its inception in 1974, Austin City Limits has helped secure Austin’s reputation as the Live Music Capital of the World. The longest-running music series in American television history, it’s also the only TV series to ever be awarded the National Medal of Arts. The show, produced by KLRU-TV, also received a Peabody Award for excellence and outstanding achievement in 2012.

With nods for Album of the Year, Artist of the Year and Song of the Year, former Drive-By Trucker Jason Isbell snagged the most nominations. Williams, Price, Chris Stapleton and Nathaniel Rateliff & The Nightsweat each were nominated in two categories.

Here’s a complete listing of the nominees for the 15th annual American Honors & Awards:

Album of the Year

Something More Than Free, Jason Isbell, produced by Dave Cobb
The Ghosts of Highway 20, Lucinda Williams, produced by Greg Leisz, Tom Overby and Lucinda Williams
The Very Last Day, Parker Millsap, produced by Parker Millsap and Gary Paczosa
Traveller, Chris Stapleton, produced by Dave Cobb and Chris Stapleton

Artist of the Year

Jason Isbell
Bonnie Raitt
Chris Stapleton
Lucinda Williams

Duo/Group of the Year

Alabama Shakes
Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell
Lake Street Dive
The Milk Carton Kids
Tedeschi Trucks Band

Emerging Artist of the Year

Leon Bridges
John Moreland
Margo Price
Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats

Song of the Year

“24 Frames” Jason Isbell
“Dime Store Cowgirl” Kacey Musgraves
“Hands Of Time” Margo Price
“S.O.B.” Nathaniel Rateliff & The Nightsweats

Instrumentalist of the Year

Cindy Cashdollar
Stuart Duncan
Jedd Hughes
Sara Watkins

The winners of these six Americana Music Association member-voted awards will be announced during a September 21 Americana Honors and Awards show at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN. The event is a highlight of “AmericanaFest,” the Americana Music Festival and Conference, which extends from September 20-25. AmericanaFest features lots of learning, networking and musical entertainment at various venues throughout the Music City

Established in 1999, the Americana Music Association is a professional trade association dedicated to building and promoting the Americana genre and the individuals who participate in the industry. For more information, visit www.americanamusic.org.

Gillian Welch received nominations for Album of the Year and Artist of the Year, as well as a nod for Duo/Group of the Year with Dave Rawlings (who also was nominated for Instrumentalist of the Year). Veteran performing singer-songwriter Steve Earle secured nominations for Album of the Year and Song of the Year, while his son, Justin Townes Earle, is among other Artist of the Year nominees –along with Isbell, Welch and Hayes Carll.

Here’s a complete listing of the American Honors & Awards 2012 nominees:

Album of the Year

Here We Rest – Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive – Steve Earler
The Harrow & The Harvest – Gillian Welch
This One’s For Him: A Tribute to Guy Clark – Various Artists

Artist of the Year

Gillian Welch
Hayes Carll
Jason Isbell
Justin Townes Earle

Emerging Artist of the Year

Alabama Shakes
Dawes
Deep Dark Woods
Robert Ellis

Song of the Year

“Alabama Pines” – Written by Jason Isbell and performed by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
“Come Around” – Written and performed by Sarah Jarosz
“I Love” – Written by Tom T. Hall and performed by Patty Griffin
“Waiting on the Sky to Fall” – Written and performed by Steve Earle

Instrumentalist of the Year

Buddy Miller
Chris Thile
Darrell Scott
Dave Rawlings

Duo/Group of the Year

Carolina Chocolate Drops
Civil Wars
Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
Punch Brothers

Jim Lauderdale, who hosted the Los Angeles nomination event, returns to host the Americana Honors & Awards Show at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN, on Sept. 12, 2012. Several Lifetime Achievement Awards also will be presented at that time. Buddy Miller will lead the Americana All-Star Band for the festivities that are the highlight of the annual Americana Music Festival and Conference, a four-day and night event featuring lots of learning, networking and musical entertainment at various venues throughout the Music City, Sept. 12-15.

Established in 1999, the Americana Music Association is a professional trade association dedicated to building and promoting the Americana genre and the individuals who participate in the industry. For more information, visit www.americanamusic.org.

More than 1,000 artists and other music industry professionals are expected to converge at the Nashville Convention Center and various venues throughout the city in mid-September for three days of learning, networking and entertainment during the Americana Music Festival & Conference. In addition to a number of professional development seminars and panel discussions during the day, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and an exhibition hall-trade show, established and emerging artists yet-to-be-named will perform during the day and in off-site evening showcases.

The Americana Music Association reports that more than 700 applications for showcase opportunities were received for some 75 available slots, and that all applicants will be notified of their status in late July.

A highlight of the conference is sure to be the Americana Honors & Awards at the historic Ryman Auditorium on September 17, from 7-9:30 p.m. Jim Lauderdale hosts the event, while Buddy Miller’s All-Star Band will be featured. A listing of the 2009 Americana Music Association Honors and Awards nominees follows.

Album of the Year: Real Animal (Alejandro Escovedo), Written in Chalk (Buddy and Julie Miller), Jason Isbell and the 40 Unit (Jason Isbell and The 40 Unit), Midnight at the Movies (Justin Townes Earle)

Artist of the Year: Alejandro Escovedo, Buddy Miller, Justin Townes Earle, Raul Malo

Instrumentalist of the Year: Buddy Miller, Gurf Morlix, Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush

New & Emerging Artist: Band of Heathens, Belleville Outfit, Justin Townes Earle, Sarah Borges

Song of the Year: “Chalk,” written by Julie Miller, performed by Buddy Miller and Patty Griffin; “Country Love” by the Gourds; “Homeland Refugee” by Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock, performed by the Flatlanders; “Rattlin’ Bones” written and performed by Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson; “Sex and Gasoline,” written and performed by Rodney Crowell

Duo/Group of the Year: Buddy and Julie Miller, Flatlanders, Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson, Reckless Kelly

The Honors and Awards ceremony will also include Lifetime Achievements and awards in performance, songwriting and the Spirit of American Award honoring free speech in music.

More information will be posted later this summer on the Americana Music Association’s website, www.americanamusic .org.

Established in 1999, the Americana Music Association is a professional trade association dedicated to building and promoting the Americana genre and the individuals who participate in the industry.

The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA)’s annual “World of Bluegrass” is expected to attract thousands of fans and music industry professionals from the world-over when it returns to Nashville, Sept. 28-Oct. 4. Featured events include a four-day IBMA Business Conference, a three-day Bluegrass Fan Fest, and the 20th International Bluegrass Music Awards Show.

The Business Conference, taking place at the Nashville Convention Center/Renaissance Hotel, Sept. 28-Oct. 1, will begin with a new “Open Forum” and includes more than 300 artist showcases; a 100-booth exhibit hall; more than 20 professional development seminars and forums focused on topics ranging from key legislative issues to market research, broadcasting, and event production; a DJ taping session; songwriter circles; mentor sessions, a health fair; and a gig fair aimed at bringing together event producers and talent representatives. There will be plenty of opportunities for informal networking and relationship-building for those engaged in the bluegrass music industry. Featured showcase performers include such artists as Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Audie Blaylock & Redline, The Bankester Family, The Crowe Brothers, Davidson Brothers, David Davis & The Warrior River Boys, Joe Diffie, G2 Bluegrass Band, Gold Heart, Donna Hughes, The Martins, Dave Peterson & His Old Tyme Country Revue, The Quebe Sisters Band, Billy Smith, Spring Creek, Adam Steffey, Tommy Webb and Josh Williams. Dozens of more informal “after hours’ shows and late-night hospitality functions also are planned throughout the week.

More than 60 bluegrass artists will perform and greet their fans during Bluegrass Fan Fest, October 2-4, also at the Nashville Convention Center/Renaissance Hotel. The indoor festival will feature three stages: the Main Stage, Masters Workshop Stage, and the Grand Masters Fiddler Championship. Although additional acts are still to be announced, participating artists will include Audie Blaylock & Redline, Cherryholmes, The Church Sisters, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time, Dailey & Vincent, Grasstowne, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, The Del McCoury Band, Don Rigsby & Midnight Call, Kenny & Amada Smith, The SteelDrivers, Randy Waller & the Country Gentlemen, Johnny Warren & Charlie Cushman and special Carter Family tribute. Rounding out the Fan Fest will be a Friday morning Fan Feast breakfast, jam sessions galore and an exhibit hall.

Awards, judged by the professional membership of the IBMA, will be presented in some two dozen categories during the 20th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards Show. Set for Thursday night, October 1, at the historic Ryman Auditorium, the show will be broadcast live on Sirius-XM Radio.

Nominations from IBMA members for special awards – including Best Broadcaster of the Year, Print Media Person of the Year, Best Graphic Design, Best Liner Notes and Best Event of the Year – are being accepted through June 30.

Early-bird conference registration is $340 for IBMA members and $440 for non-members (postmarked by July 7) and $100 less for children under 16. Awards show admission is separate, with tickets ranging from $55-110.

More information on the World of Bluegrass is available at www.ibma.org.

AcousticMusicScene.com also will publish updates about both the Americana Music Festival & Conference and the World of Bluegrass events.