LUCINDA, AMERICANA WEEK AND THE POWER OF MUSIC

Americana Week started a little early in Nashville. Even before the first panels, interviews and open houses, BMI bestowed its Troubadour Award on Lucinda Williams, the Grammy-winning, unfiltered songwriter with the serious blues, country, folk and rock undertow, whose career has spanned six decades.

Performing songs by Williams, the first woman to receive the honor, were Jason Isbell, Angel Olson, Madeline Edwards, Amos Lee and ZZ Top’s Billy F. Gibbons—the latter closing with a yowling blues recasting of “Changed the Locks.”

A sit-down Sunday dinner of fried chicken, okra, mashed potatoes and gravy with a bento box of brownies and lemon squares was served, and BMI VP Creative Clay Bradley and CEO/President Mike O’Neill (pictured with the artist) presented the honor—previously given to John Prine, John Hiatt and Robert Earl Keen—to Williams. With videotaped congratulations from Robert Plant, L.A. cowpunk peer Dwight Yoakam, Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell and two of Williams’ close pals and fellow artists, Steve Earle and Ray Kennedy, who co-produced her stone-classic set Car Wheels on a Gravel Road. It was an emotional and funny tribute.

While Elizabeth Cook’s invocation of Williams-recommended glitter nail polish as the ultimate rock-girl guitar player’s color may’ve been the truest homage, LA-based journalist/archivist/producer Bill Bentley’s 14-minute speech was easily the tenderest. Tracing their relationship from the streets of Austin, Texas, he measured her impact as an artist, human and creative force in a way that set the bar of inspiration for everyone in attendance. “I love Lucinda Williams, and my journey next to her and watching her has been one of the thrills of my life,” he said. “She has brought a little bit of heaven into my soul.”

Williams, looking both beautiful and rock ’n’ roll, took the stage to thunderous applause. Having suffered a stroke during the pandemic, she showed the power of grit and how a passion for music keeps one moving forward.

After that peak, the Americana Music Association moved into the Ryman Auditorium for its 21st Annual Honors & Awards. As always, it was an eclectic night of honorees and performers. Jed Hilley’s roots-forward organization recognized the year’s best, along with a meaningful group of Lifetime Achievement honorees and special-award winners including Al Bell, the Fairfield Four, the late Don Williams, Chris Isaak and The Indigo Girls; the latter were awarded the Spirit of Americana Award, co-presented via The First Amendment Center.

Billy Strings was named Artist of the Year, while Allison Russell’s Outside Child took Album honors and Brandi Carlile’s “Right On Time” won Song. Bluegrass breakout Sierra Hull was this year’s Emerging Artist, Larissa Maestro was anointed Musician of the Year and The War and Treaty took home Duo/Group of the Year. Perhaps the night’s biggest surprise was a Lifetime Achievement Award, previously unannounced, for longtime Musical Director Buddy Miller—who presided, on this occasion, over a house band that included Blue Note head Don Was, Larry Campbell, Jen Gunderman, Brady Blade and the McCrary Sisters. The honor, previously unannounced, was bestowed on Miller by Robert Plant. This recognition for the producer/artist/songwriter/SiriusXM personality, whose abiding humility is almost as profound as his enormous talent, certainly struck a note with the crowd.

UMG Nashville duo The War And Treaty perform “That’s How Love Is Made” after winning Duo/Group of the Year.

The McCrarys’ “Amazing Grace,” honoring their late sister, Deborah, defined the night with its jaw-dropping ardor. Transcendent and somehow transforming, it lifted the Ryman. As a celebration of a genre that’s truly coming of age, the night also highlighted three albums marking their 50th anniversaries. Milk Carton Kids celebrated Jackson Browne’s self-titled debut; Phosphorescent offered tribute to Neil Young’s Harvest; and Lyle Lovett and Bill Payne hailed Little Feat’s Sailin’ Shoes.

In a world of bigger, faster, more, Americana remains a genre focused on excellence, artistry and the touch of the human heart. It may have a smaller fan base than some other forms, but it’s one that staunchly believes in the transformative power of music. Witnessing a night like this, nothing is clearer or more ardent than the engagement of the community gathered for this yearly conference and sea of shows.