Our Mission

The Americana Music Association® is a professional trade organization whose mission is to advocate for the authentic voice of American Roots Music around the world.

 

How Our Mission Is Accomplished

 

The Americana Music Association® works closely with those in our industry, whether artists, labels, radio stations, retailers, print media, festivals, agents, publishers, etc. to help organize and build the infrastructure necessary for our genre to achieve success both creatively and financially.

 

To that end we host AMERICANAFEST (the annual Americana Music Festival & Conference), publish the weekly Americana Airplay Chart, produce the annual Americana Honors & Awards show, participate in other industry events and conferences, send member newsletters and marketing materials, conduct research about our industry and consumers, work to increase Americana’s profile and serve as an advocate on behalf of the Americana community.

 

The Americana Music Association® works behind the scenes within the music industry to foster an environment for growth: building infrastructure, creating networking opportunities, and establishing channels that allow professional entities to work effectively and efficiently.

Association History

1999

Humble Beginnings

In the late 1990’s, a group of about 30 volunteers from radio, record labels and media met informally at the South by Southwest music industry conference in Austin, Texas, to discuss collective action that could help the Americana community, including the possibility of a trade association. A facilitated retreat in October 1999 galvanized the idea, and the Americana Music Association was born.
2000

Americana Night

Early the following year, the Association hosted its first annual Americana Night at South by Southwest, and then in September 2000, the Americana Music Association held its first convention at the Hilton Suites in downtown Nashville, featuring showcase performances by Sam Bush, Rhonda Vincent, Rodney Crowell, and Jim Lauderdale.
2002

Honors & Awards

The Americana Honors and Awards were added to the convention in year three, and the evening proved moving and historic. Americana icons Emmylou Harris, Billy Joe Shaver, and T Bone Burnett were given lifetime achievement awards for performing, songwriting, and executive achievement, respectively. After much behind-the-scenes planning, the audience was treated to a surprise performance by Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash with members of the Cash family. Johnny accepted the AMA’s first-ever “Spirit of Americana” Free Speech Award with a stunning recitation of his song-poem “Ragged Old Flag,” and then, despite his failing health, he and June led their family band through a set of songs that reached back through time. It turned out to be the last public performance the Cash’s would ever give together.
2005

Broadcasting From the Mother Church

The Americana Honors & Awards moved to the Ryman Auditorium and were broadcast live for the first time on SiriusXM, BBC Radio and The Voice of Americana. The show was broadcast on television for the first time on Great American Country (GAC).

ASSOCIATION STAFF

Jed HIlly

Executive Director

Danna Strong

Director of Education &
Programs / Conference Producer

Craig Shelburne

Festival Producer

Michele Rhoades

Radio Development

Destiny McGregor

Marketing & Events

David Chamberlain

Marketing & Media Relations
Coordinator

Clara Keen

Conference Manager

Tara Clark

Ticketing & Membership

Valentino Venti

Production & Archival Assistant

2025 AMERICANA MUSIC ASSOCIATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Kim Buie, President

President of the Board

Emily Cohen

Amazon Music

Gail Gellman

Gellman Management

Tracy Gershon

Northern Lights Music Publishing

Courtney Gregg

Blue Sky Artist Management

Lenore Kinder

Wasserman Music

Jackie Marushka

Marushka Media

Allison Russell

Artist

Shannon Sanders

BMI/Producer

Lynne Sheridan, Secretary

GRAMMY® Museum

Kurt Vitolo, Treasurer

KV Financial Group

Megan West

Meta, Inc.

Jody Whelan

Oh Boy Records

Rachel Whitney

Spotify

Brian Greenbaum

CAA

Cheryl Moore

Thirty Tigers

Dayna Frank

First Avenue

Don Glista

Universal Publishing

Stephanie Hudacek

Rounder Records