Fans may have been disappointed, but certainly not surprised that the 19thannual AmericanaFest will not be held –at least not in its usual format — in 2020. Recent announcements of nominees for Americana Music Honors and Awards suggested that even plans for the September 16 ceremony at the Ryman Auditorium are still unfolding in light of the “COVID-19 situation.”
Most of the categories expanded from four to five nominees this year (with six nominees in the “Song of the Year” category because of a tie). Among the nominees is Tanya Tucker, who received a warm welcome last year with her CD While I’m Livin’ produced by Brandi Carlile and Shooter Jennings, which is nominated for 2020 Album of the Year .
Along with Carlile, last year’s Artist of the Year, Tucker is nominated for Artist of the Year, along with the late John Prine, whose April COVID-19 death set the music world reeling; Yola, nominated for Emerging Act of the Year in 2019; and Brittany Howard, former lead singer of Alabama Shakes, with her solo album Jaime also nominated for Album on the Year.
Regular attendees, including members of the music industry and fans from across the country and around the world, will have to mark their calendars for September 21-26, 2021, when the AmericanaFest is slated to return to Nashville.
Meanwhile, Americana fans can stay tuned for updates to see what creative options will be employed to keep the music playing.
