Joe Ely receives Americana Music Association honor
Thursday, July 19, 2007 – Joe Ely will receive the 2007 Lifetime Achievement Award for Performing from the Americana Music Association, the group announced Thursday.
"Ely's live shows have become legendary, and throughout his genre -crossing career, he has performed with Bruce Springsteen, Los Super Seven, and James McMurtry, The Clash and more recent acoustic tours with Lyle Lovett, John Hiatt, and Guy Clark," said AMA Executive Director Jed Hilly in announcing the award from the stage of the Ryman Auditorium where the group was recognizing Levon Helm of The Band.
"Four years ago Levon received the Americana Lifetime Achievement Award for Performing, but due to personal health reasons was unable to come to Nashville, said Hilly. "How honored are we that the man many people call the godfather of the Americana Roots Music movement is honoring us with his performance here tonight."
The presentation to Ely, who released two albums already this year, will be made Nov. 1 at the Ryman Auditorium during the 6th Annual Americana Music Association's Honors and Awards Show as part of the AMA's annual conference in Nashville.
The AMA also will present the Lifetime Achievement Awards for Songwriter, Instrumentalist, Producer/Engineer, Spirit of Americana Free Speech Award, The Presidents Award and the Jack Emerson Executive Award. Recipients in these categories will be announced between now and October.
More news for Joe Ely
CD reviews for Joe Ely
Live Cactus
As a country music "outlaw," Joe Ely has always stood out from the pack. On his latest, Ely has decided to forge an alliance with premier accordionist Joel Guzman, and the combination works.
This is not the typical Ely album with a lot of edginess. The live disc is a confluence of two excellent and distinct talents whose music covers a wide spectrum. With more than an hour of material available, there is a lot to choose from with the wispy balladry of "Up On the Ridge" »»» |
Silver City
As wonderful as The Flatlanders are, this all-star trio sometimes obscures the greatness of its individual members, which makes this such a surprisingly welcome revelation. It's an all-acoustic work, with Joe Ely singing, playing guitar and adding a little harmonica and percussion in various places.
Joel Guzman also contributes accordion. These 10 songs remind us once again what a truly commanding singer Ely is. One is tempted to call him the Chuck D. of country music because he sings »»» |
Happy Songs From Rattlesnake Gulch
Don't let this CD's title fool you: you won't find much happiness running through these pained tracks. Joe Ely is oftentimes an inspirational leader when singing his songs, which may be why guys like Bruce Springsteen gravitate to him. Not so with this effort, however; Katrina's horror haunts this recording like a howling banshee. "All I wanna do is get back home," cries a troubled character in "Baby Needs a New Pair of Shoes," "instead of »»» |
Editorial: American Idol's Carrie Underwood can sing –
If anyone saw the Super Bowl – what a great great game that was – they would have heard American Idol winner and country superstar Carrie Underwood sing the National Anthem. Underwood did with her voice what Kelly Clarkson did last week with her written words – give it to Scott Borchetta, the head of Big Machine Records,, who tried defending Taylor Swift by knocking American Idol performers. »»»
Concert Review: McBride, Adkins shine sometimes –
As Martina McBride pointed out, the pairing of the country singer with Trace Adkins on their current jaunt was surprising. After all, she's of diva-quality voice, petite, non-controversial unless you call singing songs that empower women controversial. Adkins, on the other hand, has not been afraid to speak his mind with a kick butt attitude.... »»»
Concert Review: Eilen Jewell wears her musical hats well –
Eilen Jewell wears a lot of musical hats. The Idaho native, who now lives in Boston, fronts the Eilen (ee-lin) Jewell Band, a pretty much traditional country band. She's a member the Sacred Shakers, an octet doing gospel country with a country beat. And she has yet another project, Butcher Holler, covering Loretta Lynn songs.... »»»
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