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Hank Williams III wants "to come out of the gate strong" as he launches his own label, Hank3 Records, after 15 years with Curb. And three albums, all of different genres, certainly qualifies as making a grand statement right off the bat.
From three members of the Country Music Hall of Fame to the current CMA Female Vocalist of the Year, there's a ton of reasons to be excited about this fall when it comes to music. A week-by-week look.
Almost six decades after his death, the music of Hank Williams continues to touch lives. One of those people is the daughter he never knew, Jett. Over the past few years, the entertainer (along with older brother Hank Williams, Jr.) has been very involved in bringing Hank's unreleased works to the masses.
The nominations for the 2nd Annual American Country Awards were announced, and it was a big day for many of the top younger stars in the format. Jason Aldean and the Zac Brown Band led the way with eight nominations each. On their heels were newcomers Thompson Square, who scored seven nominations each. The Band Perry and Taylor Swift also figured prominently in the process, tallying six nods.
While historically Robert Plant and Nashville might not go hand in hand with each other, the legendary Led Zeppelin front man and Music City were pretty good for each other Thursday night (Oct. 13), as he picked up a top album nod at the 10th Annual Americana Music Honors and Awards.
The night also proved to be a fruitful one for acclaimed singer/songwriter Buddy Miller, who took Artist of the Year honors as well as the Instrumentalist of the Year prize, bringing his total of wins over the years to 12.
The evening also featured a heavy dose of emotion. Lucinda Williams' acceptance speech for the Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting was a highlight, as well as Alison Krauss's presentation of the same award in the Instrumentalist category to longtime friend and Union Station member Jerry Douglas.
Many of the genre's top performers performed during the show. Elizabeth Cook dazzled with "El Camino" from her CD "Welder," and the Secret Sisters' performance of "Why Don't You Love Me" -- a song that Hank Williams performed on that same stage decades ago -- brought things full circle.
2011 Americana Music Awards Winners:
Album of the Year: "Band Of Joy," Robert Plant
Artist of the Year: Buddy Miller
Instrumentalist of the Year: Buddy Miller
New / Emerging Artist: Mumford and Sons
Song of the Year: "Harlem River Blues" by Justin Townes Earle
Duo / Group of the Year: The Avett Brothers
Lifetime Achievement Awards:
Songwriter: Lucinda Williams
Performance: Gregg Allman
Instrumentalist: Jerry Douglas
Executive: Rick Hall
Trailblazer Award: BOB HARRIS
The awards ceremony is the centerpiece of the Americana Music Festival and Conference, which goes on through Saturday (Oct. 15) in Nashville.
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