Justin Townes Earle received a nomination for The Americana Music Association’s 2008 New Emerging Artist of the Year. Photo by Joshua Black Wilkins.

The Americana Music Association has announced the nominees for the 2008 Honors and Awards ceremony - Justin Townes Earle received a nomination for New Emerging Artist of the Year. The winners will be announced September 18th in a ceremony at the historic Ryman Auditorium - the show will be hosted by Jim Lauderdale and features a band led by Buddy Miller. The 7th Annual Americana Festival and Conference will offer seminars and panels from September 17 - 20.

It’s been a huge year for Justin Townes Earle - since the release of his first album, he debuted on the Grand Ole Opry, appeared on NPR’s Morning Edition and in dozens of profile publications like New York Times, LA Times, Nashville Scene, Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune, Washington Post, American Songwriter, No Depression and many others. “The Good Life” debuted on the Billboard country chart, no small feat for a new artist, and is currently charting at #10 on the AMA Radio Charts, 3 months after the release.

With Justin Townes Earle’s pedigree comes mixed blessings. As the son of legendary singer/songwriter Steve Earle, high expectations are the name of the game; but he’s shown that he is up to the task, crafting stark portraits with elements of acoustic blues and folk. After a misspent youth in bluegrass/ragtime combo The Swindlers and the louder, more rocking The Distributors, the 25-year-old cleaned up his act, dropped his self-destructive habits and began to focus on songcraft. With inspirations as diverse as Townes Van Zandt (he was named in honor of the elder Earle’s hero), The Replacements, Ray Charles and The Pogues, Justin forged his own brand of American roots music.

“The Good Life” is produced by RS Field, who has made his mark on critically acclaimed albums by Billy Joe Shaver, Sonny Landreth, Webb Wilder and Buddy Guy. Recording is underway at House of David studios, the legendary room that has hosted sessions with George Jones, Yo La Tengo, Elvis Presley, Neil Young and countless others. Joining Earle in the studio are a cast of all-star players including longtime cohort Cory Yountes (Bobby Bare, Jr) on banjo and mandolin, pedal steel player master Pete Finney (Dixie Chicks, Patty Loveless), bassist Bryn Davies (Patty Griffin, Guy Clark), drummer Bryan Owings (Buddy Miller, Shelby Lynne), keyboardist Skylar Wilson and fiddle player Josh Hedley.

Justin Townes Earle on the road:

• Fri June 20 — Knoxville, TN - World Grotto
• Sat June 21 — Atlanta, GA - Smith’s Olde Bar
• Sun June 22 — Nashville, TN - 3rd and Lindsley
• Tue June 24 — Mobile, AL - Callaghan’s Irish Social Club
• Wed June 25 — Auburn, AL - The Strutting Duck
• Thu June 26 — Macon, GA - The Hummingbird
• Fri June 27 — Gatlinburg, TN - Arrowmount School of Arts
• Sat June 28 — Louisville, KY - Francis of Assisi
• Sun June 29 — Chicago, IL - Belmont Arts and Music Festival
• Mon June 30 — Rock Island, IL - Huckleberry’s Pizza Parlor
• Fri July 11 — Winnipeg, MB - Winnipeg Folk Festival
• Sat July 12 — Winnipeg, MB - Winnipeg Folk Festival
• Sun July 13 — Winnipeg, MB - Winnipeg Folk Festival
• Thu July 17 — Kilbarchan, Scotland - The Cellar
• Fri July 18 — Greenock, Scotland - Greenock Wanderers Club

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