Americana Awards 2015: Rolling Stone Country’s Best Backstage Photos
"This is just a continuous, massive, semi-religious experience for me," Alejandro Rose-Garcia — better known as Shakey Graves — told the audience at the 2015 Americana Honors and Awards gala Wednesday night, after winning the Association's Emerging Artist of the Year trophy. Nashville's historic Ryman Auditorium was host to the show, which was indeed massive in its eclectic mix of artists who collectively define the Americana genre: American roots music that incorporates elements of country, roots-rock, folk, bluegrass, R&B and blues.
Graves was one of several of the night's performers, presenters and distinguished guests who stopped by Rolling Stone Country's makeshift portrait studio inside one of the Ryman's tiny dressing rooms. Other winners captured backstage by photographer Joseph Llanes included the Mavericks, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Ricky Skaggs and Los Lobos, along with performers Nikki Lane, Jim Lauderdale, Doug Seegers and many more. Flip through Llanes' most captivating photos of the night.
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The Mavericks
Paul Deakin, Eddie Perez, J.D. McFadden and Raul Malo make up the Mavericks. The eclectic band, who released the album Mono this year, won Group/Duo of the Year at the Americana Awards.
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Lindi Ortega
Lindi Ortega, who exudes an Americana gothic cool, released her new album Faded Gloryville in August.
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John Hiatt
The legendary singer-songwriter performed "Long Time Coming" on the Americana broadcast.
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The McCrary Sisters
The McCrary Sisters performed with the Fairfield Four and Robert Randolph in a rousing rendition of "Rock My Soul."
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Sam Outlaw
Los Angeles country singer Sam Outlaw poses with two of the Ryman Auditorium's most famous residents, the statue of Roy Acuff and Minnie Pearl.
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Nikki Lane
Nikki Lane sported traditional cowgirl garb for her sizzling performance of "Right Time" on the 2015 Americana Honors and Awards broadcast.
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Los Lobos
After receiving their Lifetime Achievement Award for Performance, East L.A. stalwarts Los Lobos validated their honor with a blistering show at Nashville's Cannery Ballroom.
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Keb Mo
Following his tribute to B.B. King, Keb Mo performed "How Blue Can You Get" on the 2015 Americana Honors and Awards show.
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Doug Seegers
Seegers performed "Angie's Song" with a Buddy Miller-led backing band at the 2015 Americana Honors and Awards.
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Leigh Nash
Leigh Nash, singer for Sixpence None the Richer, releases her solo album The State I'm In this month.
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Buffy Sainte-Marie
Buffy Sainte-Marie sang the poignant "Universal Soldier" after being honored with the Spirit of Americana/Free Speech in Music award.
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The Black Lillies
The Black Lillies' new album, Hard to Please, hits stores October 2nd.
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Andrew Leahey
Heartland rock band Andrew Leahey and the Homestead will release a new album in 2016.
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Esme Patterson
Singer Esme Patterson joined Shakey Graves onstage during the Americana Awards to perform their song "Dearly Departed."
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Houndmouth
Houndmouth performed "My Cousin Greg" on the 2015 Americana Honors and Awards show.
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Sara and Sean Watkins
The Watkins Family Hour have been on the road this summer, often teaming up with Fiona Apple.
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The Milk Carton Kids
The Milk Carton Kids' new album, Monterey, was recorded live on tour.
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The Lone Bellow
Earnest trio the Lone Bellow performed with a super-sized band during the Americana Awards.
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Rhiannon Giddens
Giddens proved her powerful pipes on "Waterboy" during her 2015 Americana Honors and Awards performance.
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Shakey Graves
Emerging Artist of the Year winner Shakey Graves was joined by Esme Patterson on "Dearly Departed" for his Americana Awards performance.
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Ricky Skaggs, Sharon White and Ry Cooder
Husband-wife duo Ricky Skaggs and Sharon White are currently on tour with fellow music legend Ry Cooder.
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Jim Lauderdale
The Americana icon performed "You Were Here" with the Buddy Miller-led house band at the 2015 Americana Honors and Awards ceremony.
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Don Henley
The rock icon, who will release a solo country album this fall, performed "Prayin' for the Rain" and received a Lifetime Achievement Award.
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Lee Ann Womack
Womack performed "Don't Listen to the Wind" from her critically-acclaimed album, The Way I'm Livin'.
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Lucinda Williams
The night's Album of the Year winner sang "East Side of Town" from her victorious Down Where the Spirit Meets the Bone LP.
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Jason Isbell
Isbell performed the anthemic title track of his new album, Something More Than Free.