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The inaugural AMA-UK awards will attract musicians, agents and promoters from the UK's roots-music world to east London on 3 February
By Jon Chapple on 11 Jan 2016
Billy Bragg at SxSW 2008
image © Kris Krug
Billy Bragg will receive the Trailblazer Award at the inaugural UK Americana Awards on 3 February.
Organised by the Americana Music Association UK (AMA-UK) and taking place on the evening of the second day of its annual conference (2–3 February), the awards, hosted by broadcaster and former The Old Grey Whistle Test host ‘Whispering’ Bob Harris, recognise outstanding achievement in the British and international Americana music communities. In addition to the Trailblazer and Bob Harris Emerging Artist Awards, accolades will be given for UK album of the year, international album of the year, UK artist of the year, international artist of the year, UK song of the year, international song of the year and UK instrumentalist of the year.
A full list of nominees can be found at the AMA-UK website.
AMA-UK’s members include musicians, agents, promoters, venues, festivals, labels, distributors, retailers, management, touring, journalists, broadcasters and publicists
The awards will take place at the St John-at-Hackney venue, with the conference nearby at The Brewhouse in London Fields.
“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,” says Bragg. “It’s great to be acknowledged by the AMA-UK community in this way.”
The veteran folk-punk singer and socialist activist will join Cale Tyson, Gretchen Peters, Emily Barker, Dreaming Spires, Lewis & Leigh and Danny and the Champions of the World as a performer on the night. Ethan Johns will serve as musical director.
AMA-UK is a trade association which advocates for American roots music in the UK. Its membership include musicians, agents, promoters, venues, festivals, labels, distributors, retailers, management, touring, journalists, broadcasters and publicists.