NASHVILLE, September 12, 2011 – The Americana Music Association will honor the jaw dropping accomplishments of Lucinda Williams, Gregg Allman, Rick Hall,  Jerry Douglas, and Bob Harris by presenting them with Lifetime Achievement Awards at the Association’s Honors & Awards show Thursday, October 13, 2011, at Nashville’s historically cool Ryman Auditorium.

• Lifetime Achievement for Songwriter - Songstress Lucinda Williams, set to be honored in theSongwriter category, continues to make musical inroads, dazzling droves of fans as an artist, performer and celebrated tunesmith of the highest caliber. Her roots-grounded sound has yielded immeasurable influence on countless other musicians.

• Lifetime Achievement for Performer - Living legend Gregg Allman, to be saluted in the Performercategory, leads the charge of genre-melding Southern-bred rockers. He’s captivated audiences since first skyrocketing to success with The Allman Brothers Band, and continues as a relentless road warrior and celebrated musician today.

• Lifetime Achievement for Executive - Rick Hall, whose landmark sessions fostered the seminal Muscle Shoals sound, will be honored with the Association’s Jack Emerson Executive Award. Hall’s war chest of talents includes songwriting and musicianship, but it is his groundbreaking production work at FAME Studios that crossed musical formats and attracted artists from across the nation such as Wilson Pickett,Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Etta James, The Osmonds, and Bobbie Gentry.

• Lifetime Achievement for Instrumentalist-  Dobro master Jerry Douglas is one of the instrument's greatest living players and is being honored in the Instrumental category. Equally revered for his solo work, session playing, and as a longtime member of Alison Krauss and Union Station, Douglas has astounded fans and critics for decades.

• Trailblazer Award - Bob Harris, set to receive the Trailblazer award, is a celebrated radio host and journalist who works as a tireless advocate for exceptional artistry.  For generations he's played a pivotal role in exposing listeners to rising talent and critically acclaimed stalwarts, via shows on the BBC and other outlets.

The Honors & Awards is the capstone event of the Americana Music Association’s Festival and Conference presented by Nissan, running October 12-15 in Nashville.  Jim Lauderdale will again serve as master of ceremonies, while Buddy Miller will lead an all-star house band. Among the other artists attending are: Robert Plant and the Band of Joy, Hayes Carll, The Civil Wars, Elizabeth Cook, Justin Townes Earle, Jessica Lea Mayfield, The Secret Sisters and more to be announced.

The always cool, full of surprises event is open to the general public. A limited number of tickets, $35 and $65, are available through the Ryman Box Office, ryman.com.

Slated for Wednesday, October 12 through Saturday, October 15, the Annual Americana Festival and Conference presented by Nissan will offer daily seminars, panels and networking opportunities at the Sheraton Nashville Downtown Hotel. The nighttime  performances bring more than 100 stacked musical showcases to key venues throughout Nashville.

Full Festival & Conference registration includes access to all panels and presentations, the revamped exhibit hall, invitations to all sanctioned parties, a ticket to the Honors and Awards Show and priority admission to the evening performances. Registration is currently $350 for AMA members and $450 for non-members.