Americana Music Elite Gather at BMI Nashville for AMA Announcement Party

2006-06-25T18:00:00-05:00

Roots music aficionados and creators gathered in BMI Nashville's main lobby on June 15 to hear Americana giants Steve Earle and Allison Moorer announce the 2006 Americana Music Association Awards nominees. The packed house enjoyed margaritas and tapas, while the audience's ears feasted on the music of the AMA nominees drifting from the speakers.

Pictured are (l to r): AMA Board President Tamara Saviano, BMI VP Jody Williams, Allison Moorer, Steve Earle, Buddy Miller, AMA Executive Director Jeff Green and BMI's Mark Mason. Photo by Alan Mayor

BMI singer/songwriter James McMurtry led the pack with three nominations, including Album and Artist of the Year. Rosanne Cash and Marty Stuart followed closely behind with two nods apiece. Other noteworthy picks include the second New/Emerging Artist of the Year nomination for the Greencards (their first came in 2004), and Dixie Chick Martie Maguire's Song of the Year mention for the band's controversial single, "Not Ready to Make Nice."

Tennessean music critic Peter Cooper, BMI's Kay Clary and Elisabeth Dawson, and Grimey's Music co-owner and AMA board member Doyle Davis. Photo by Sonata Stanton

The 5th Annual Americana Honors & Awards show will take place on Friday, September 22 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Hosted by perennial favorite, Jim Lauderdale, the Americana Honors & Awards will once again feature an all-star "house band" led by Buddy Miller. The ceremony is scheduled to be broadcast around the world by both Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio, as well as by BBC Radio 2 and Voice of America.

Vector Management's Lisa Jenkins, AMA Board President/Saviano Media Owner Tamara Saviano, Sugar Hill's Kim Fowler, Vector Management's Kathi Whitley and GAC's Shaun Moseley. Photo by Elisabeth Dawson

BMI is a major sponsor of the Americana Music Association and its convention held in Nashville each fall.

ASCAP's Michelle Goble, BMI's Mark Mason and ASCAP's Mike Sistad Photo by Kay Clary

BMI's 2006 Americana Music Association Award Nominees:

Album of the Year
James McMurtry -- Childish Things
Delbert McClinton -- Cost of Living
Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives -- Souls' Chapel

Artist of the Year
Rosanne Cash
James McMurtry
Marty Stuart

Duo/Group of the Year
Caitlin Cary
The Drive-By Truckers
Fats Kaplin
Chip Taylor & Carrie Rodriguez

Instrumentalist of the Year
Jerry Douglas
Kenny Vaughan

New/Emerging Artist of the Year
The Greencards
James Hunter
Robinella

Song of the Year (songwriter award)
"Black Cadillac" written by Rosanne Cash
"Not Ready to Make Nice" written by Martie Maguire
"We Can't Make It Here" written by James McMurtry

BMI Nashville Signs Robinella &The CC Stringband

2003-05-20T18:00:00-05:00

Cruz and Robin Ella Contreras of Robinella & The CC Stringband stopped by BMI Nashville to sign publisher and songwriter contracts. Drawing from a variety of influences including jazz and bluegrass, the band released two albums on their own Robinella Records before being picked up by Columbia in 2002. The Blanked For My Soul EP soon followed, and a Columbia full-length is due May 20. Robinella & The CC Stringband are scheduled to play the sold-out Bonnaroo festival in Manchester, Tennessee during their summer tour.

Pictured are (seated) Cruz & Robin Ella Contreras and BMI's Bradley Collins and David Preston. photo by Brian Tipton