As much as I like many artists who have been put under the "Americana" umbrella, I've never been entirely convinced that Americana is a distinct genre. Whenever I've asked who/what is Americana, people point to Steve Earle, as if one genre-crosser does the job. Dave Alvin - that's two, but Allison Fensterstock seemed to get it more or less right when she decided it was roots music that shared its fans' progressive politics. At the last Americana Music Conference, I saw honky-tonk holdout Dale Watson, blues man Tony Joe White, retro string band Chatham County Line and nouveau Bakersfield country band the Hacienda Brothers. For No Depression, the one-time Bible of Americana, I wrote about Cajun band the Pine Leaf Boys, Amanda Shaw, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and reviewed Irma Thomas. All merit attention and love, but a genre that incorporates all that has some pretty broad defining characteristics.
But I guess they're defining enough. I received this press release just moments ago:
NASHVILLE, June 9, 2009 – The Recording Academy will officially recognize the Americana genre next year when it awards the inaugural Grammy for Best Americana Album. NARAS recently announced the restructuring of several Grammy Award categories, establishing a Best Americana Album award and a corresponding American Roots Music field. Both the new award and category will debut at the 2010 Grammy Awards.
The move further underscores the increasing significance of the Americana music format and brand, accelerating the Americana Music Association’s already substantial momentum as it approaches its 10th Annual Americana Festival and Conference.
“Americana music resonates with a growing legion of listeners,” said Jessie Scott, President of the Americana Music Association Board of Directors. “These are the country’s preeminent artists, who not only pay homage to roots, but truly shape modern music. The Americana community couldn’t be prouder of NARAS’s decision.”
For more information including details on this year's Americana Music Conference and Awards, which take place in Nashville September 16-19, go to AmericanaMusic.org.
Showing posts with label the Grammys. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the Grammys. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
More Girl Trouble and a WTF
At the Grammys, Whitney Houston remains sad and pathetic. A bad wig, bad plastic surgery, and bad brain.
... and seriously - is the only way New Orleans musicians can get on the Grammys is as Katrina victims? Lil Wayne had the top selling album of the year and won Grammys for "Lollipop" and "A Milli," but instead he performs the middling, Katrina-themed "Tie My Hands" as part of a medley with Allen Toussaint and the Dirty Dozen with Terence Blanchard. As it went on, the backdrop showed pictures of flooding, as if the waters just receded and we're still just drying out. We're not Jerry's Kids, and the implication that we're only of interest as the survivors of a catastrophe is really insulting. And if they're going to treat us as poor, wounded souls, show our actual damage as it exists today.
... and seriously - is the only way New Orleans musicians can get on the Grammys is as Katrina victims? Lil Wayne had the top selling album of the year and won Grammys for "Lollipop" and "A Milli," but instead he performs the middling, Katrina-themed "Tie My Hands" as part of a medley with Allen Toussaint and the Dirty Dozen with Terence Blanchard. As it went on, the backdrop showed pictures of flooding, as if the waters just receded and we're still just drying out. We're not Jerry's Kids, and the implication that we're only of interest as the survivors of a catastrophe is really insulting. And if they're going to treat us as poor, wounded souls, show our actual damage as it exists today.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Girl Trouble
I loved M.I.A. appearing very pregnant in a notice-my-pregnancy outfit, and was grossed out by the Grammy producers' obvious discomfort with her pregnancy as the camera got away from her as quickly as possible.
And Katy Perry's performance settled the question of "I Kissed a Girl"'s nature (if a question still existed). As she and hot girls danced around each other, she presented the notion of women kissing as a Howard Stern fantasy.
... and he's not a woman, so technically, he doesn't belong in this post, but what was up with McCartney's hair color? When you're in your 60s and your hair is suddenly darker than the Jonas Brothers', you've chosen a shade too dark.
And Katy Perry's performance settled the question of "I Kissed a Girl"'s nature (if a question still existed). As she and hot girls danced around each other, she presented the notion of women kissing as a Howard Stern fantasy.
... and he's not a woman, so technically, he doesn't belong in this post, but what was up with McCartney's hair color? When you're in your 60s and your hair is suddenly darker than the Jonas Brothers', you've chosen a shade too dark.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
The Louisiana Story
I'm sure other cities face the same issue in varying degrees, but in southern Louisiana, the question of how to deal with musical traditions in contemporary music is central to the art. I touch on this tension and the omnipresence of rock 'n' roll in a new piece on the Cajun band the Pine Leaf Boys in today's San Diego Union-Tribune.
One bummer, though - one of my favorite stories in the piece bit the editing room dust. Guitarist Jon Bertrand told the story of walking the red carpet into the Grammys this year, when the band's Blues de Musicien was nominated for Best Cajun/Zydeco Album. He explained that someone with a white-erase board walks in front of you as you go down the red carpet so the media know who you are, and so the designated cheerers in bleachers know who they're cheering. He was so amused by the experience that when he finished his trip down the red carpet, he slipped out of line, went back to the front and did it all over again.
One bummer, though - one of my favorite stories in the piece bit the editing room dust. Guitarist Jon Bertrand told the story of walking the red carpet into the Grammys this year, when the band's Blues de Musicien was nominated for Best Cajun/Zydeco Album. He explained that someone with a white-erase board walks in front of you as you go down the red carpet so the media know who you are, and so the designated cheerers in bleachers know who they're cheering. He was so amused by the experience that when he finished his trip down the red carpet, he slipped out of line, went back to the front and did it all over again.
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