Australian Americana Music Honours back in Melbourne for second year to celebrate “an incredibly exciting genre”

The second Australian Americana Music Honours return to Melbourne in October, showcasing a strong line-up.

Taking to the stage are Kasey Chambers featuring Alan Pigram, Diesel, Little Georgia, Shane Howard, Kevin Welch and Weeping Willows.

They’ll be joined by US acts, Margo Price who was discovered by Jack White; and Joshua Hedley who’s been a frequent visitor to these shores and regards Australia as his second biggest market.

The Australian Americana Honours Night is presented by Michael Chugg, Nash Chambers and the international Americana Music Association.

It is held at the Thornbury Theatre on Thursday, October 11.

The Americana Music Association will present two honours during the course of the night.

Lauded will be Rhythms editor and Triple R’s On The Record presenter Brian Wise for his longtime support of the genre, and singer-songwriter and producer Shane Howard for his influence on Australian poetic and folk music traditions.

Out On The Weekend festival founder Brian “BT” Taranto, who was last year recognised for his ground-breaking showcasing of the Americana style, said of the inaugural event, “It was a great maiden event to celebrate a style of music I’m very passionate about.

“There seemed to be a genuine collaborative spirit in the room, which is just the thing needed for this emerging genre in Australia to become widely recognised and accepted.”

Michael Chugg said of the 2018 event, “We have rounded up a fantastic group of artists to celebrate Americana and Roots music in Australia in 2018.

“It’s an incredibly exciting genre, and based on the buzz after last year’s event, we’ll be doing this for many years to come.”

“It’s a thrill to be a part of the second annual Australia Americana Honours event”, relays Jed Hilly, Nashville-based executive director of the Americana Music Association and executive producer of the Americana Honors & Awards program in Nashville.

“Last year’s event connected the community not just in Australia but around the globe, with a spirit that was and continues to be contagious. I can’t wait to get back to Melbourne.”