Americana Music Association Honors and Award Nominations-A Rundown
There is a subtle difference in the nominating categories for the Americana Honors & Award Nominations from the rest of the awards in the music industry. Most give a ranking, which usually begins with ‘best.’ No where in the nominations for the Americana Honors & Awards does the word ‘best’ ever come up. Rather, it is explained on the website that each potential nominee should be measured according the following criteria; “having an exemplary year of national public awareness through overall recognition and activity whether through album, song, radio airplay, sales, touring or other criteria.” The exceptions are found in the Album and Song of the Year, which simply need to be released during the eligibility period between 3/31/2012 to 4/1/2013. It seems, however, that members are encouraged to vote notoriety & exposure over excellence or long-lasting impact of a particular artist. This could explain in increasingly safe choices being made each year in the nominating categories.