Collins, Hartford tapped for Americana honors

08/29/2005 12:59 AM, Reuters
Phyllis Stark

The Americana Music Assn. will pay special tribute to songwriter John Hartford, who died in 2001, and to singer/songwriter Judy Collins at its fourth annual Honors & Awards on September 9 in Nashville.

Collins will receive the First Amendment Center/AMA Spirit of Americana Free Speech Award. Hartford will be recognized with the AMA's President's Award.

Collins is being honored for her support of a number of social and political causes. She will perform "Amazing Grace" during the show. Previous recipients of the Free Speech Award are Steve Earle, Kris Kristofferson and Johnny Cash.

Hartford's family is expected to be on hand to accept his President's Award, which the AMA presents posthumously in recognition of outstanding contributions to the Americana genre. Arlo Guthrie will lead a group of the evening's performers in singing Hartford's Grammy-winning "Gentle on My Mind," which has been recorded by countless singers, most famously by Glen Campbell.

Hosted by songwriter/musician Jim Lauderdale, the AMA awards show will feature performances bu Guy Clark, Marty Stuart, Emmylou Harris and others.

Reuters/Billboard