Robert Plant, Mumford & Sons, Elizabeth Cook Up For Americana Awards

Last year, Robert Plant and Band Of Joy were the special musical guests at the Americana Music Association Honors and Awards, turning in a spectacular mini-set at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. This year, they’ll return as nominees, as they’re up for Album Of The Year, Group Of The Year, and more. Other big nominees include Elizabeth Cook, The Civil Wars, and the decidedly-not-American Mumford and Sons.

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The nominations were announced today by Rosanne Cash at the Gibson/Baldwin Showroom in New York City. Levon Helm, T Bone Burnett, and Nashville mayor Karl Dean were on hand to add to the festivities. The Americana Music Association Honors and Awards, now in its 10th year, will be held October 13 at the Ryman Auditorium.

THE 2011 AMERICANA MUSIC ASSOCIATION HONORS AND AWARDS NOMINEES:

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Band of Joy, Robert Plant
Welder, Elizabeth Cook
Harlem River Blues, Justin Townes Earle
Blessed, Lucinda Williams

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Buddy Miller
Elizabeth Cook
Hayes Carll
Robert Plant

NEW/EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR

The Civil Wars
Mumford And Sons
The Secret Sisters
Jessica Lea Mayfield

DUO/GROUP OF THE YEAR

The Avett Brothers
The Civil Wars
Mumford And Sons
Robert Plant and the Band Of Joy

SONG OF THE YEAR

Decemberists with Gillian Welch- “Down By The Water”
Elizabeth Cook – “El Camino”
Hayes Carll – “Kmag Yoyo”
Justin Townes Earle – “Harlem River Blues”

INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR

Buddy Miller
Gurf Morlix
Kenny Vaughan
Sarah Jarosz
Will Kimbrough