Today Bluesfest has announced a brand new collaboration with the Australian Americana Music Honours (AAMH) which will be coming to you live from the festival itself for the first time, on Saturday 11 April!

Artists will come together to collaborate and celebrate Blues, Roots & Americana Music at this prestigious event, produced by celebrated Nashville based Australian music producer Nash Chambers for the Americana Music Association in Nashville. 

"We're mighty proud to bring this event to Bluesfest, where we get to celebrate the world's greatest music genre, with the world's greatest artists, at the world's greatest music festival. What's not to love?" says Nash Chambers 

In the spirit of celebrating musicians all over the globe expect the AAMH to bring their A-game with a selection of some of the finest musicians here at our very own Bluesfest home ground. With a collection of selected artists set to perform two songs each - one of their own and one in collaboration with another musician from the line-up with a choice of songs that can be old, new, original or covers providing it is within the context of Americana Music. Backed by a great house band for the night is all about performing great music.  

This year's AAMH will feature John Butler, Troy Cassar-Daley, Kasey Chambers, Ash Grunwald, Hussy Hicks, The Waifs, The War and Treaty, plus special guests - and will be hosted by Henry Wagons.

Commenting on the announcement, Festival Director, Peter Noble OAM said "Americana music has grown to become a real force in the consolidation of roots music styles. It incorporates Blues, Gospel, Alt Country, Folk, Indigenous, Bluegrass and all the other music styles that have grown out of that. It is the music that I like to hear and in my estimate, the people who attend Bluesfest want to see and hear. For that reason, we have asked the Americana Music Association to agree for us to present the Australian Americana Music Awards at Bluesfest, and look forward to it becoming an ongoing fixture every Easter. " 

"I'm also pleased to see the inclusion of Blues artists into the Americana Awards in Nashville and we intend to push the Aussie Blues artists even harder." 

"There will be further artist announcements as they are added. However, we have kicked off with some of the cr me of the Australiana Americana." 

Previous artists [when the awards were based in Melbourne] have included; Old Crow Medicine Show (US), Kasey Chambers, Busby Marou, Bernard Fanning, Valerie June (US), Margo Price (US), Catherine Britt, Diesel, Shane Howard, Yirrmal, Little Georgia, Kevin Welch (US), Allan Pigram, Joshua Hedley (US), Jordie Lane & the Sleepers, Ruby Boots, Henry Wagons, Weeping Willows, William Crighton & Emily Barker.