NOMINATIONS PROCESS FOR THE BEST OF AMERICANA

Members in good standing will be sent a “Call for Submissions for Nomination Consideration” email in early spring. Members are invited to submit up to 10 nominee considerations in each of six categories. Member submissions are received utilizing an automated data collection system. All submissions are reviewed for accuracy and eligibility.

Nominations are determined by membership entries, with additional consideration from a select group of music industry professionals who do not work directly for artists or record labels and may include journalists, DJs, club owners, festival producers, playlist editors or other knowledgeable observers.

Final nominations are announced at a ceremony in May and voting ballots will be concurrently sent to voting members in good standing. Votes are collected via the membership portal and the results are reviewed and certified by the accounting firm KV Financial. The names of the awards finalists are delivered in sealed envelopes and announced during the Americana Honors and Awards ceremony.

You MUST be a member of the Americana Music Association in good standing to participate in the Nomination and Election process. If you are not a member, artists may join at the rate of $35 per year. If you are an industry professional the rate is $75 per year. Click here to join if you are not a member already.

Below is the Criteria for each of the member-voted categories:

The eligibility period for the Americana Music Association’s “Of The Year” categories runs from April 1 through March 31.

1. Album of the Year - For any Americana album released during the eligibility period. Award to artist and producer(s).

2. Artist of the Year - For an Americana solo artist who has had an exemplary year based on overall recognition and activity whether through album, song, radio airplay, publicity, touring, or other criteria within the eligibility period. Award to the artist.

3. Duo/Group of the Year - For an Americana duo or group, who identify and perform primarily as a duo or group, who have had an exemplary year based on overall recognition and activity, whether through album, song, radio airplay, publicity, touring, or other criteria within the eligibility period. Acts featuring names of vocalists who have received national recognition as a solo artist are not eligible for this award. Award to the duo or group.

4. Song of the Year - For any Americana track or single with original words and music that gained its greatest activity and awareness during the eligibility period, so long as the track was not previously submitted in the Awards category. Award to the songwriter(s) and performer(s).

5. Emerging Act of the Year - For an Americana solo artist, duo, or group having an exemplary year and first blush of national public awareness through overall recognition and activity, whether through album, song, radio airplay, sales, publicity, touring, or other criteria during the eligibility period who has not previously been nominated in any category. Award to the artist, duo or group.

6. Instrumentalist of the Year - An award given to a musician known primarily as an instrumental performer, i.e. session or backing musician, having an exemplary year within the eligibility period based on overall recognition and activity, whether through work on an album, song, touring, or other criteria. Nominees are exclusive to this category. Award to the musician.

AGAIN, ONLY ACTIVE AMERICANA MUSIC ASSOCIATION MEMBERS MAY PARTICIPATE IN THE NOMINATION PROCESS.