2011 Americana Music Association Awards Nominees Announced

Rosanne Cash appeared in New York City yesterday, where she performed and announced the list of nominees for the 2011 Americana Music Association Awards. The list boasts a slew of successful artists, including country frontrunners Lucinda Williams, the Secret Sisters and Justin Townes Earle.

Earle is up for two huge awards -- Song of the Year and Album of the Year -- for his song and album with the same name, 'Harlem River Blues.' He'll be battling Williams' 'Blessed' album, as well as Robert Plant's 'Band of Joy' for the coveted album award, and he will go up against Texas country's Hayes Carll in the song category. Carll is also nominated for Artist of the Year.

The Secret Sisters won't have an easy run towards the New/Emerging Artist award, because the Civil Wars, Jessica Lea Mayfield and Mumford and Sons have each brought some stiff competition in the past year.

The Americana Music Association Awards will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2011, and will pass out shiny awards in lieu of party favors. The best in Americana ceremony takes place October 13 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.

2011 Americana Music Association Awards Nominees:

Album of the Year
Robert Plant, 'Band of Joy'
Lucinda Williams, 'Blessed'
Justin Townes Earle, 'Harlem River Blues'
Elizabeth Cook, 'Welder'

Song of the Year
Decemberists with Gillian Welch, 'Down by the Water'
Elizabeth Cook, 'El Camino'
Justin Townes Earle, 'Harlem River Blues'
Hayes Carll, 'Kmag Yoyo'

Artist of the Year
Hayes Carll
Elizabeth Cook
Buddy Miller
Robert Plant

New/Emerging Artist
The Civil Wars
Jessica Lea Mayfield
Mumford and Sons
The Secret Sisters

Duo/Group
The Avett Brothers
The Civil Wars
Mumford and Sons
Robert Plant and the Band of Joy

Instrumentalist
Sarah Jarosz
Will Kimbrough
Buddy Miller
Gurf Morlix
Kenny Vaughan

Watch Justin Townes Earle Perform 'Harlem River Blues' on Letterman