The Americana Honors Awards 2012 Nominees

[Tig]

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Here We Rest - Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive - Steve Earle
The Harrow & The Harvest - Gillian Welch
This One’s For Him: A Tribute to Guy Clark - Various Artists

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Gillian Welch
Hayes Carll
Jason Isbell
Justin Townes Earle

EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Alabama Shakes
Dawes
Deep Dark Woods
Robert Ellis

SONG OF THE YEAR
“Alabama Pines” – Written by Jason Isbell and performed by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
"Come Around" - Written and performed by Sarah Jarosz
“I Love” – Written by Tom T. Hall and performed by Patty Griffin
“Waiting on the Sky to Fall” – Written and performed by Steve Earle

INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR
Buddy Miller
Chris Thile
Darrell Scott
Dave Rawlings

DUO / GROUP OF THE YEAR
Carolina Chocolate Drops
Civil Wars
Gillian Welch and David Rawlings
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
Punch Brothers

[R_of_G]

Of the choices available, I'd pick Isbell in every category he's in, particularly on the song. "Alabama Pines" may have been the best song of 2011 in any genre let alone "Americana."

The hardest choice for me is for "emerging artist." You know I love the Shakes, but Dawes is also a really great band and I love their 2011 album.

That said, Kasey Anderson & The Honkies Heart of a Dog should be up for many of these as well.

Oh, and no offense to those nominated for "Best Instrumentalist" because all of them are quite good, but Bill Frisell put out two albums last year, at least one was pure Americana. Therefore, he's the best instrumentalist.