Official Charts & Americana Music Association UK announce headline partnership with Sweet Home Alabama

That Official Charts Company and the Americana Music Association UK are pleased to announce a new headline partnership with Sweet Home Alabama for both the Official Americana Chart and the annual UK Americana Music Week festival and awards ceremony, held in Hackney in January.

The Official Charts Company and AMA UK have worked hand-in-hand for the past six years to promote the vibrant British Americana scene. January 2016 saw the launch of both the first UK Americana Awards at St John Hackney and the first official chart for the genre in the UK – the Official Americana Albums Chart. In fact, Britain topped the chart front, beating Billboard to develop an official overview of the genre; the US chart compilers have since followed suit.

It’s fitting that this new partnership with Sweet Home Alabama – a state steeped in music history – comes on the sixth anniversary of such important British developments for the Americana genre, connecting the UK scene with its influences across the pond. The year-long partnership includes both chart and festival naming rights and includes a host of new Americana talent profiles, live music showcases, contests, guides to the best music and tourism experiences across Alabama, and exclusive artist interviews with artists like Lucinda Williams and rising stars Ferris & Sylvester.

In the first part of the interview series, Lucinda Williams spoke to OfficialCharts.com about defining the Americana genre:

“To me, when it first took off, it seemed to me to be anything that was no longer commercially accepted. It was the things that fell through the cracks; the songs that didn’t get much radio play. It was the anti-commercial genre… but it’s grown a lot.”

The launch of the partnership coincides with the opening of the Orion Amphitheater in Huntsville, tvg hospitality’s incredible new 8,000-seat venue, led by CEO Ben Lovett of Mumford & Sons. The venue’s long-awaited opening weekend will feature many well-loved artists with deep ties to the North Alabama region, including Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit, Mavis Staples, Emmylou Harris, Brittany Howard and many more. The Orion Huntsville is the latest addition to a growing global portfolio. As a leading venue creator, developer and operator in London with several venues under development in the United States. Future US locations are Washington DC, Nashville, Austin, Detroit, New York and Los Angeles.

With physical events and international travel opportunities back on the map, this partnership is a timely reminder of the unifying power of music across geographic borders. It was brokered by The Romano Sidoli Consultancy, event and branding specialists in the music, media and creative industries.

Stevie SmithCEO of AMA-UK says: “We have worked closely with the Official Charts Company over the past six years to develop this card. The Official Americana Albums Chart has been instrumental in the growth of the genre in the UK and we are now very pleased to welcome Sweet Home Alabama into the mix. We believe that by working together we can develop an understanding of the genre, its roots and its future, introduce it to a much wider audience and feel genuine excitement for what lies ahead.”

Martin TalbotCEO of the Official Charts Company, which also presents the award for Best Selling UK Americana Album of the Year at the UK Americana Awards, says:
“We are delighted to welcome Sweet Home Alabama as the first major sponsor of the Official Americana Charts here in the UK. Since its inception, this exciting weekly chart has gone from strength to strength, supporting this dynamic music sector as it continues to grow in the UK – and this new partnership is the latest chapter in its evolution. We look forward to defending the genre, from its icons to its rising stars, with even more enthusiasm, with the full weight of Sweet Home Alabama behind it.”

Gray BrennanAssistant Director, Alabama Department of Tourism, says: “Alabama has a rich music history. Hank Williams, WC Handy and Nat King Cole were all born here. Aretha Franklin, The Rolling Stones and Percy Sledge have all recorded hits here and our musical future is bright with the opening of the Orion Amphitheater. Alabama has a musical story to tell, which is amplified internationally through our partnership with the Official Charts and AMA-UK. We are delighted to be the first main sponsor of the Americana Chart in the UK and to support next year’s UK Americana Music Week.”

Ben LovettCEO of tvg hospitality and board member of the Americana Music Association UK says:

“I’ve really enjoyed working with Stevie and the team over the past few years and this wonderful partnership connecting the great state of Alabama with all the work Stevie has been doing in the UK for many years just makes perfect sense and we are also like to make it easier.”

Americana music is defined as contemporary music that incorporates elements of various American roots music styles, including country, roots rock, folk, bluegrass, R&B, and blues. While acoustic instruments are often present, Americana often uses a full electric band as well. The UK’s official Americana chart, compiled by the Official Charts Company based on official sales and streams, offers a UK-relevant twist, featuring artists whose work is influenced by Americana, such as west London trio Bear’s Den and Hampshire songwriter Frank Turner.

Check out this week’s official UK-Americana chart below, provided by Sweet Home Alabama and released on Fridays at 5:45 p.m.

Americana Official Albums Chart – April 8-14, 2022

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