UK Americana Music Awards 2025, powered by Sweet Home Alabama, Winners Revealed

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Gillian Welch & David Rawlings and Hannah White lead the way with two wins each

Special Awards for Candi Staton, Lyle Lovett and CMAT

Toby Lee named Bob Harris Emerging Artist Award winner

The winners of the UK Americana Awards 2025, powered by Sweet Home Alabama, were revealed on the evening of Thursday 23 January in a glittering ceremony at Hackney Church, London. 

During a remarkable night, which celebrated the best in UK and International Americana and Roots music, highly acclaimed US singer-songwriters Gillian Welch & David Rawlings scooped Best International Album and Single awards for Woodland and “Empty Trainload of Sky” respectively. The duo’s current album Woodland was released to widespread praise in 2024 and marked their first LP of new, original music since 2017. 

London-based singer-songwriter Hannah White won the coveted UK Artist of the Year Award, plus UK Album of the Year for Sweet Revolution. A leading light of the homegrown Americana music scene, White’s album was recognised as a major progression in her craft. 

Robert Vincent was awarded UK Song of the Year for his stand-out track “Follow What You Love and Love Will Follow” and multi-talented guitarist Keiron Marshall was UK Instrumentalist of the Year. 

Alabama’s Jason Isbell, one of the most respected and celebrated songwriters of his generation, won the prestigious International Artist of the Year Award.  

Kezia Gill, who has toured extensively, playing to packed houses throughout the UK, took home the Live Act of the Year Award. 

The Grassroots Award, presented by the AMA-UK to individuals working in the industry (in a capacity other than as artists) who have made outstanding efforts to support Americana music from the grass roots up, was given to independent music promoter David Messer

Bob Harris chose sensational young English guitarist Toby Lee for his 2025 Emerging Artist Award. 

Of the evening’s Special Awards, legendary soul icon Candi Staton collected the AMA-UK Board’s highest accolade, an International Lifetime Achievement Award. Four times Grammy-winning singer, composer and actor Lyle Lovett received the International Trailblazer Award and groundbreaking Irish singer, songwriter and musician CMAT was presented with the UK/Ireland Trailblazer Award. 

The Awards show boasted an eclectic mix of stunning live performances, illustrating the breadth of talent within the genre, including Lyle Lovett, CMAT, Hannah White, Robert Vincent, Kezia Gill, The Heavy Heavy, Willie Watson, Toby Lee and Kyshona. The evening was brought to a close with an outstanding group rendition of Candi Staton’s worldwide hit “You Got The Love”, featuring Staton herself. 

The show was hosted by broadcaster Baylen Leonard, who was joined by Award presenters Bob Harris OBE, BBC Radio Ulster’s Ralph McLean, journalist and broadcaster Paul Sexton, and Immy Doman and Risa Tabatznik of famed London venue The Green Note. 

In addition to the star-studded artist lineup, the event also welcomed senior music executives, including from organisations such as Amazon Music, PPL, Live Nation, The Orchard, WME, AEG, CAA, FUGA and Atlantic Records, as well as many UK and international media representatives. 

The UK Americana Awards concluded in style a full week of activities during UK Americana Music Week 2025, powered by Sweet Home Alabama.  

Two nights of showcases in venues across Hackney took place on Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22, featuring an incredible line-up of artists from around the world including: Danni Nicholls, The Dreaming Spires, Robert Vincent, Savannah Gardner, Viv & Riley, Willie Watson, the Canada House at Moth Club, and many more.  

During the daytime on Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22, the annual AMA-UK conference, the cornerstone of the week’s programming, was held at Night Tales in Hackney. This year’s theme was “Can Songs Change the World? Americana in 2025,” covering a diverse range of topics tailored for Americana enthusiasts and industry professionals alike.  

The event is proudly supported by Sweet Home Alabama, who were headline sponsors again for the third year, CIMA (Canadian Independent Music Association), PPL, PRS for Music, Concord, Thirty Tigers, Uncut, Musicians’ Union, Americana Music Sweden, and the US Americana Music Association

Award Winners:

UK ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Elles Bailey  

Ferris & Sylvester 

Hannah White – WINNER

Katherine Priddy 

Robert Vincent 

The Heavy Heavy 

UK ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Elles Bailey - Beneath The Neon Glow

Hannah White - Sweet Revolution – WINNER

Kathryn Williams & Withered Hand - Willson Williams

Nina Nesbitt – Mountain Music  

The Hanging Stars - On A Golden Shore

The Heavy Heavy - One of a Kind

UK SONG OF THE YEAR

Blue Rose Code – “Sadie” 

Brown Horse – “Stealing Horses” 

Jack Francis – “Failure” 

Nina Nesbitt – “Pages” 

Our Man In The Field – “L’Etranger” 

Robert Vincent – ”Follow What You Love and Love Will Follow” – WINNER

UK INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR

Ashley Campbell 

Henry Senior Jr 

Joe Coombs 

Joe Harvey White 

Joe Wilkins 

Keiron Marshall – WINNER

INTERNATIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Bonny Light Horseman 

Charley Crockett 

Jason Isbell – WINNER

Larkin Poe 

Sierra Ferrell 

Waxahatchee 

INTERNATIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR

American Aquarium - The Fear Of Standing Still

Bonny Light Horseman - Keep Me On Your Mind/See You Free

Gillian Welch & David Rawlings – Woodland – WINNER

Kacey Musgraves – Deeper Well

Kyshona – Legacy  

Willie Watson – Willie Watson  

INTERNATIONAL SONG OF THE YEAR

Gillian Welch & David Rawlings – ”Empty Trainload of Sky” – WINNER

Hurray For The Riff Raff – “Buffalo”  

Julian Taylor & Allison Russell – “Pathways” 

Kyshona – “The Echo” 

Lizzie No – ”The Heartbreak Store” 

Sierra Ferrell – ”American Dreaming” 

LIVE ACT OF THE YEAR

Ben Ottewell & Ian Ball (of Gomez) 

Campbell Jensen 

Danny & The Champions of the World  

Kezia Gill - WINNER

Lola Kirke 

Morganway 

Savannah Gardner 

Skinny Lister 

The Heavy Heavy 

Wunderhorse 

AMA-UK Special Awards

International Lifetime Achievement Award 

Selected by the board members, their highest honour is awarded to an international artist, duo or group in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the Americana genre over the span of their career and life in music. The 2025 recipient is Candi Staton 

International Trailblazer Award 

Selected by the board members, this special award celebrates an international artist, duo or group that has taken an exceptional path, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps in developing the Americana genre. The 2025 recipient is Lyle Lovett

UK/Ireland Trailblazer Award 

Selected by the board members, this special award celebrates an artist, duo or group from the UK or Ireland that has taken an exceptional path, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps in developing the Americana genre. The 2025 recipient is CMAT

Grass Roots Award 

  

Selected by the board members, this special award celebrates the sometimes-unsung heroes of the UK Americana scene. It is presented to individuals working in the industry (in a capacity other than as artists) who have made outstanding efforts to support Americana music from the grass roots up. The 2025 recipient is David Messer

Bob Harris Emerging Artist Award 

  

Selected by Bob Harris OBE, this special award celebrates the breakthrough artist, duo or group that has particularly impressed the legendary music broadcaster throughout the year. The 2025 recipient is Toby Lee.

About the AMA-UK 

The Americana Music Association UK (AMA-UK) is a professional trade association representing and advocating for the voice of Americana music in the UK. Its membership comprises musicians, both from the UK and overseas, plus individuals and organisations from all sectors of the music industry, including agents, promoters, venues, festivals, labels, distributors, retailers, management, touring crew, journalists, broadcasters and publicists.    

The AMA-UK is committed to treating all artists and associated parties equally regardless of their gender status, sexual orientation, race, ethnic origin, age or disability.  It is always listening and learning from its membership and strives to ensure it provides a safe environment that allows all to feel welcome, safe and able to contribute.   

Previous recipients of the AMA-UK Board’s Special Awards include Robert Plant, Mumford & Sons, Billy Bragg, Van Morrison, Richard Thompson, Albert Lee, Graham Nash, Joan Armatrading, Lucinda Williams and many more. Awards have been presented by Sir Patrick Stewart, Jools Holland, Bonnie Raitt, Chris Difford, Ricky Ross, Harry Shearer, Timothy B. Schmidt, Jim Lauderdale and Kiki Dee, amongst many others.  

UK Americana Music Week, powered by Sweet Home Alabama is delivered under the leadership of the Americana Music Association UK’s Board, comprising Ian Thomas, Brendan McCarthy (Why & How), Paul Fenn (Asgard), Luke Hill (Grey Seal Media), and Anton Lockwood (DHP). UK Americana Music Week Festival Producer is Jim Walker (Brighthelmstone). The UK Americana Music Awards are produced by Adrian Basketfield. Commercial partnerships are handled by The Romano Sidoli Consultancy. Event Management is provided by Full Fat together with support from Kristen Neilson. 

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