UK Americana Award 2021 winners revealed in virtual ceremony

The Americana Music Association UK (AMA-UK) last night 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.  Big winners Robert Vincent and Courtney Marie Andrews took home the Awards for UK Artist and UK Album of the Year, and International Artist and International Album of the Year respectively. 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.

As previously announced, special Awards conferred by the AMA-UK Board 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 event rounded off  three nights of streamed events. The Showcase Festival, which ran across two stages on January 26 and 27, delivered an amazing 14 hours of music across two days. Some of the many highlights were sets from Courtney Marie Andrews, Joshua Burnside, Darlingside, Jason Isbell (and the 400 Unit), Larkin Poe, Jim Lauderdale, Mipso, Katie Pruitt, The Mavericks and The War and Treaty. Plus, prestigious international showcases held by Thirty Tigers, Canadian Independent Music Association, Sounds Australia, Yep Roc, North Carolina Music Export and Prince Edward Island and from the UK, leading independent Americana label Loose Music. The AMA-UK proudly presented a gender balanced programme for the 4th year running; something it champions in all its activities.

The Winners

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

Bob Harris Emerging Artist Award: Robbie Cavannagh and Demi Marriner

Grassroots Award: Music Venue Trust – Mark Davyd and Beverly Whitrick

One of the (very) few advantages of a covid safe event is that the performances linger a while so if you haven’t already tuned into Americana Fest UK you can still buy a ticket as all events will remain online for the next two weeks. Tickets here.