Gillian Welch, Jason Isbell, Alabama Shakes Take Home Americana Awards

Videos by American Songwriter

Here’s the quick and dirty on last night’s Americana Honors and Awards, held at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. The evening began with a run-through of Booker T. and the MG’s “Green Onions” and ended on an all-star rendition of “The Weight,” with Emmylou Harris, John Hiatt, Bonnie Raitt, Richard Thompson, Amy Helm and Brittany Howard blending their voices to honor the late Levon Helm.

Read our full review of the evening here. The show will air November 10 on  Austin City Limits on PBS.

Americana Music Awards and Honors 2012 Award Winners:

Instrumentalist of the Year: Dave Rawlings

Album of the Year: This One’s For Him: A Tribute to Guy Clark; produced by Tamara Saviano and Shawn Camp

Song Of The Year Award :  “Alabama Pines;” Written by Jason Isbell and performed by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

Emerging Artist of the Year:  Alabama Shakes

Artist of the Year: Gillian Welch

Duo/group of the Year: The Civil Wars

Lifetime Achievement for Performance: Bonnie Raitt

Lifetime Achievement Award for Instrumentalist: Booker T. Jones

Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting:  Richard Thompson

Lifetime Achievement Award for Executive: Dennis Lord