Buddy Miller Leads Americana Music Award Nominations

The Americana Music Association has announced the nominees for their 2009 Honors and Awards ceremony. Buddy Miller, who will once again act as band leader for the awards show, received a total of five nominations.

It's been an eventful year for Buddy. The singer/songwriter/guitarist/producer toured with Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin and Shawn Colvin, and was featured in Robert Plant and Alison Krauss' touring band. In February, while on tour, he suffered a heart attack. Buddy and his wife Julie Miller are nominated in the Album of the Year category for 'Written in Chalk.'

Other artists receiving multiple nominations include Justin Townes Earle and Alejandro Escovedo, with three each, and The Flatlanders and duo Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson receiving two nominations each.

Once again, singer-songwriter Jim Lauderdale will host the awards ceremony, which takes place at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium on September 17.

The 2009 Americana Music Association Honors and Awards Nominees:

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
'Real Animal,' Alejandro Escovedo
'Written in Chalk,' Buddy and Julie Miller
Jason Isbell and the 40 Unit, Jason Isbell and the 40 Unit
Midnight at the Movies, Justin Townes Earle

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Alejandro Escovedo
Buddy Miller
Justin Townes Earle
Raul Malo

INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR
Buddy Miller
Gurf Morlix
Jerry Douglas
Sam Bush

NEW & EMERGING ARTIST
Band of Heathens
Belleville Outfit
Justin Townes Earle
Sarah Borges

SONG OF THE YEAR
'Chalk,' Buddy Miller and Patty Griffin
'Country Love,' The Gourds
'Homeland Refugee,' The Flatlanders
'Rattlin' Bones,' Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson
'Sex and Gasoline,' Rodney Crowell

DUO GROUP OF THE YEAR
Buddy and Julie Miller
Flatlanders
Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson
Reckless Kelly