2012 Americana Music Award Nominees

And here are the nominees for the 2012 Americana Honors and Awards at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on September 12, 2012, as part of this year’s Americana Music Festival, September 12-15, 2012.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

• Here We Rest - Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
• I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive - Steve Earle 
• The Harrow & The Harvest - Gillian Welch
• This One’s For Him: A Tribute to Guy Clark - Various Artists

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

•  Gillian Welch
•  Hayes Carll
•  Jason Isbell
•  Justin Townes Earle 

 EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR

• Alabama Shakes 
• Dawes
• Deep Dark Woods
• Robert Ellis

SONG OF THE YEAR

• “Alabama Pines” – Written by Jason Isbell and performed by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit 
• "Come Around" - Written and performed by Sarah Jarosz 
• “I Love” – Written by Tom T. Hall and performed by Patty Griffin 
• “Waiting on the Sky to Fall” – Written and performed by Steve Earle 

INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR

• Buddy Miller
• Chris Thile
• Darrell Scott
• Dave Rawlings

DUO / GROUP OF THE YEAR

• Carolina Chocolate Drops
• Civil Wars 
• Gillian Welch and David Rawlings 
• Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit Punch Brothers

Looking at this list, we are ever impressed by the quality, depth and breathe of the music represented. We have had the pleasure of filming several of the artists on the list. We have never had a Music Fog moment with Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, who are both nominated this year. Let’s go back several years for “Caleb Meyer,’ filmed at St Luke's in London on August 2, 2004. From a broadcast on BBC4. 

- Jessie Scott

Mike Farris "O Mary, Don't You Weep"

There is something about the south that holds such fascination for me. I can’t stop exploring, and can’t stop reading about it. The latest book I’ve been digging into is The Chitlin' Circuit: And the Road to Rock 'n' Roll. If the past is prologue, I do believe there are seeds from that era that I see being replicated in today’s world. The story starts in the 1930’s with Big Bands, and continues into the 40’s and mid 50’s with the stirring of rock and roll. The clubs were more important than recording and radio; they provided a path for a working musician, and these days, once again, touring is probably the most important thing again. Of course, we are in a new age, what with our social networking allowing for music discovery without ever leaving the comfort of the glow of your laptop/tablet/smartphone. And so we take live performances and showcase them for you here on Music Fog.

The amazing Mike Farris was one of the 44 artists we filmed during our Spring Music Fog Marathon. When he sings, it causes the air to shimmer in delight. There are just a few dates scattered about the country in June, so have at it if he is near you. Mike moves through Gospel, Soul and R&B, he if firmly anchored in the old school. So glad we can bring you another video of “O Mary, Don’t You Weep.”

- Jessie Scott

Kalen Nash "Ramona"

What would you do if you only had power for one more hour? We are talking techy here, not rhetorically. When I am on the road, I am especially careful to gather my electronics and their respective cords before I move on to the next place. So it pains me to note that I left my laptop power cord out at KDRP on Tuesday afternoon, before heading out to my Threadgill's show with Jackson Parten opening for Little Brave.  Great show, by the way. I love having a new crop of talented artists to showcase. I don't know whether to go to Best Buy to see about getting a second power cord, or driving back out to Dripping Springs to get the first one. Alright, a drive it is then.

Today's Music Fog entry is from Kalen Nash, one of the members of the southern rock quintet Ponderosa. His new solo album is called Ukred, and it was released on Tuesday.

That isn't to say that he has left Ponderosa, and the good news is there is a new album ahead from the roadhouse rockers, too. Doing a solo album was a way for Kalen to stretch out and try some different things. To wit, here is the song, recorded during the Spring Music Fog Marathon at Threadgill's WHQ in Austin. In March.

-- Jessie Scott