While many of us in the world of bluegrass get started on our big week in Nashville, let’s not forget that our friends in The Americana Music Association just concluded their annual convention, also hosted here in Music City.

Like IBMA, AMA is a music trade association that works with artists, record companies, media, festivals, agents and anyone working in the field to bring attention and a wider audience to the genre.

They answer the question, “What Is Americana Music?” thusly:

Americana is American roots music based on the traditions of country. While the musical model can be traced back to the Elvis Presley marriage of hillbilly and R&B that birthed rock ‘n’ roll, Americana as a radio format developed during the 1990s as a reaction to the highly polished sound that defined the mainstream music of that decade. By also including influences ranging from folk to bluegrass to blues and beyond, Americana handily bridges the gap between Triple A radio and mainstream country.

Their annual Americana Honors and Awards Show was held last Friday night (9/22) at The Ryman Auditorium, with artists as stylistically diverse as Neil Young, Charlie Daniels and Robinella being honored.

The Tennessean covered the show, and you can read their review from the 9/23 issue online.