The eighth annual Americana Music Association's 2009 Honors and Awards ceremony will be held on September 17 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN. The event will be hosted by Jim Lauderdale while Buddy Miller will be the band leader for the evening of awards with some of the categories including performance, songwriting and the special Spirit of Americana Award that honors free speech in music.

Also from September 16-19, there will be seminars and panels as well as more than 80 showcases at various music venues in Nashville.

Tickets for the awards show are priced at $55 and are available via the Americana online store. Wristbands for all four evenings of live music are available for $45.

Miller, incidentally, received the most nominations with five in the six categories while Justin Townes Earle garnered three and Alejandro Escovedo, the Flatlanders, Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson each got two nods. The eligibility period for consideration was from June 1, 2008 to May 1, 2009.

“These nominations reflect the vibrancy and diversity of the ever-growing popularity of Americana Music,” said Americana Executive Director Jed Hilly in a statement. “Our Honors & Awards show will again be filled with legends and the next generation of stars; it’s going to be a musical night to remember.”

Some of the categories include Artist of the Year: Alejandro Escovedo, Buddy Miller, Justin Townes Earle and Raul Malo; New & Emerging Artist: Band of Heathens, Belleville Outfit, Justin Townes Earle and Sarah Borges; and Duo/Group of the Year: Buddy & Julie Miller, the Flatlanders, Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson and Reckless Kelly.