Bob Harris Country - 24/09/2009

Bob Harris presents highlights of the 8th Americana Music Association Awards, held at the legendary Ryman auditorium in Nashville. Awards include best album, best artist, new and emerging artist, group, duo and instrumentalist. In the nominations this year are alt. country favourites The Flatlanders, Justin Townes Earle, Buddy and Julie Miller, Reckless Kelly and Jason Isbell. Also nominated are former Mavericks lead man Raul Malo and Mexican-American singer songwriter Alejandro Escovedo. Honoured with lifetime achievement awards this year are Western Swing band Asleep at the Wheel, instrumentalist Sam Bush and producer Jim Rooney. The ceremony also features live performances from a range of artists including Nanci Griffith, John Prine, Rodney Crowell and Asleep at the Wheel. In a round-up of the evening's events, Bob goes backstage to interview the performers, winners and nominees from Americana music's big night, and selects musical highlights from the ceremony.