[ cheers and applause ] ACL presents The 21st Annual Americana Honors from the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, with performances by Brandi Carlile, Sierra Ferrell, the Fairfield Four, Chris Isaak, Lyle Lovett, the McCrary Sister, the Milk Carton Kids, Lukas Nelson, Allison Russell, the War and Treaty, The Americana All-Star Band with Musical Director, Buddy Miller.

and many more.

The 21st Annual Americana Honors >> Singing: Are you ready For the country - Oh!

Because it's time to go Are you ready for the country Aaa!

Because it's time to go Are you ready for the country Baby 'cause it's time to go [ music ] [ music ] [ cheers and applause ] >> Welcome to the Ryman Auditorium and the 21st Americana Music Association Honors [ cheers and applause ] Thanks for having us back at The Mother Church.

This is gonna be incredible tonight.

[ applause ] >> To this audience, our next performer needs no introduction.

[ cheering ] Her generosity of spirit in this community is unparalleled.

Please welcome Brandi Carlile featuring Lucius.

[ cheers and applause ] All right!

[ music ] >> Singing: They build Wooden houses on frozen ponds In the summertime When the water's gone Diagonal lines In their rolled-out lawns And the sage always Smells so pretty But nobody cares Where the birds have gone When the rain comes down on Babylon The stonemason's phone rings All day long And you gotta Get back to the city I build a house Upon this rock Baby every day with you There's nothing In that town I need After everything We've been through Me out in my garden And you out on your walk Is all the distance This poor girl can take Without listenin' to you talk I don't need their money baby Just you and me On the rock I don't need their money baby I built paper planes When I learned to fly Like a 747 Fallin' out of the sky I folded 'em crooked And now I'm wonderin' why I could always end up In the water But nobody's asking But nobody's asking Why she's lookin' so thin Why she's laughin' too hard Why she's laughin' too hard Why she's drinkin' again A falling star She's a paper plane And she's was goin' down When you caught her >> I build a house Upon this rock baby Every day with you There's nothing In that town I need After everything We've been through It's me out in my garden And you out on your walk Is all the distance This poor girl can take Without listenin' to you talk I don't need Their money baby >> Just you and me On the rock Yeah It's an earthquake It's a hard wind It's a record-breakin' tide And it is rolling in On it's a big sea But it can't touch You and me It's just a water view And what a view I don't need Their money baby no [ music ] >> Oh I build my house Upon this rock baby Every day with you There's nothing in that town I need after everything We've been through We've been through Me out in my garden And you out on your walk And you out on your walk Is all the distance This old girl can take Without listening to you talk I don't need their money baby >> Just you and me On the rock Yeah I don't need their money baby >> I don't need Their money baby >> Lucius!

Singing: You and me On the rock >> You and me on the rock >> It's you and me on the rock [ cheers and applause ] >> "Rock my Soul" was originally composed and sung by enslaved people.

It was first written down in 1867.

It has remained an important part of the gospel tradition ever since.

So, gentlemen, if you're ready, do me a favor.

Take 'em back to the South Side.

[ cheers and applause ] Back to the basement of Fairfield Baptist Church.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Fairfield Four.

[ cheers and applause ] >> Singing: Why don't you rock my soul Down in the bosom of Abraham You rock my soul In the bosom of Abraham You rock my soul In the bosom of Abraham Lord won't you Rock my soul Why don't you rock my soul Well the rich man lives >> Singing: Why don't you Praise King Jesus >> And he lives so well >> Won't don't you praise The Lord >> And when he dies >> Why don't you praise King Jesus >> Had a home in hell >> Had a home in hell >> Why don't you praise the Lord He said see under sun see how Steady she run Don't you ever let her Catch you with your work undone Well the rich man lives And he lives so well And when he dies He has a home in hell Well Lord rock my soul Why don't rock my soul >> Why don't you rock my soul >> In the bosom of Abraham >> You rock my soul Down in the bosom of Abraham You rock my soul In the bosom of Abraham Lord won't you rock my soul Why don't you rock my soul >> Well the poor man lives >> Why don't you praise King Jesus >> Just as poor as I >> Why don't you praise The Lord >> And when he dies >> Why don't you praise King Jesus >> At the home on high >> Why don't you praise the Lord He said see under sun See how steady she runs Don't you never let her Catch you with your work undone When the poor man Lazarus Is poor as I And when he died Had a home on high Well Lord rock my Why don't you rock my soul >> Why don't you rock my soul >> In the bosom of Abraham You rock my soul Down in the bosom of Abraham You rock my soul in the bosom of Abraham Lord you rock my soul Why don't you rock my soul [ cheers and applause ] >> Thank you!

>> This next artist belongs among the legends.

He possess a gift for the craft of writing songs that encompass worlds within them, like mini novels set to melodies.

Please welcome one of my all-time favorites the incomparable James McMurtry.

[ cheers and applause ] [ cheers and applause ] >> Singing: I was thinkin' about you crossing southern Alberta Canola fields on a July day About the same chartreuse as that '69 bug You used to drive Around San Jose You never knew where My old white Lincoln Might take you Party on wheels With suicide doors Bring the kids and the dogs And your grandma too We always had room for more 'Til that white knuckle ride Back from Santa Cruz Second best surfer On the central coast Had you wrapped up All the way back to Los Gatos And I could have cut his throat And it wasn't like We were an item to start with It had no basis in fact But the whiskey could push me To sudden extremes I don't want to Think about that I don't want to Think about that Take my hand Marie Take a death grip On some part of me Keep me from drifting Far out to sea Or I'll be lost out there [ music ] We all filtered away With the days gettin' shorter Seeking our place In the greater scheme Kids and careers And a vague sense of order Busting apart at the seams I heard you switched coasts Moved in with your sister Doubt you'd have called it Familial bliss We met up in Brooklyn Before it went hipster You carried your keys In your fist In a way-back corner Of a cross-town bus We were hidin' out Under my hat Cashing in on a 30-year crush You can't be young and do that You can't be young and do that Take my hand Marie Take a death grip On some part of me Keep me from drifting Far out to sea Or I'll be lost out there Or I'll be lost out there [ music ] I was thinking 'bout you Crossing southern Alberta Canola fields at harvest time Look like tumbleweeds All raked up into rows Brown rusty contour lines There's not much movin' On the romance radar Not that I'm craving it All that much But I still need to feel Every once in a while The warmth of a smile And a touch And in a way-back corner of a cross-town bus We were hiding out Under my hat Cashing in on a 30-year crush You can't be young and do that You can't be young and do that You can't be young and do that You can't be young and do that Take my hand Marie Take a death grip On some part of me Keep me from drifting Far out to sea Or I'll be lost out there Or I'll be lost out there Or I'll be lost out there [ cheers and applause ] Thank you so much.

[ cheering continues ] >> The privilege of introducing this next act goes to me.

I feel like it should be split between me and Don, because, uh, five years ago, Don turned me on to this next unbelievable couple.

Please welcome Michael and Tanya Trotter The War and Treaty.

[ cheering and applause ] [ music ] Singing: Can't like you in the morning [ cheering ] Love you at night Can't hate all your wrongs And only want all your rights Can't treat you like a stranger When you ain't around Treat you like a lover When we're out on the town 'Cause that ain't how love is made That ain't how love is made It's all or nothing Gotta give to get something That's what it takes That's how love is made Can't say I'm tired When I don't ask for help Can't want from you Heaven Giving you Hell 'Cause that ain't how love is made That ain't how love is made It's all or nothing Gotta give to get something That's what it takes That's how love is made And we'll be sorry Most of the time We'll see the sunshine As long as every cloudy day And heartbreak Will always stay And never say goodbye That ain't how love is made That ain't how love is made I want all or nothing Gotta give to get something Oh, that's what it takes Yeah that ain't how love is made That ain't how love is made [ vocalizing ] Oh, gotta give Oh, gotta give to get something Oh that's what it takes That's how love That's how love is -- made [ cheering and applause ] [ cheering and applause ] [ cheering and applause ] >> We live in a complicated, difficult, adversarial moment.

Winners and losers and sides being chosen.

I think it's an important moment to celebrate the work of somebody like Don Williams.

A good moment to remember decency and kindness and the enormous strength it takes to remain gentle in the face of all the things that life kicks up and -- [ cheers and applause ] That's what Don would want you to remember, decency.

[ cheers and applause ] [ cheers and applause ] There wasn't a lot of discussion about which songs we should play to honor Don Williams.

In this time of trouble and strife, it seemed pretty clear.

It was also pretty clear who we wanted to get to sing it.

Please make welcome Lukas Nelson.

[ cheers and applause ] [ music ] singing: Lord I hope this day is good I'm feelin' empty and misunderstood I should be thankful, Lord, I know I should But Lord I hope this day is good Lord, have you forgotten me I've been prayin' to you faithfully I'm not sayin' I'm a righteous man But Lord I hope you understand I don't need fortune and I don't need fame and I don't need fame Send down the thunder, Lord, send down the rain Lord, send down the rain But when you're plannin' just how it will be Plan a good day for me Lord, I hope this day is good I'm feelin' empty and misunderstood I should be thankful, Lord, I know I should But Lord I hope this day is good [ music ] [ music ] You've been the King since the dawn of time All that I'm askin' is a little less cryin' It might be hard for the devil to do But it would be easy for you Lord, I hope this day is good I'm feelin' empty and misunderstood I should be thankful, Lord, I know I should But Lord I hope this day is good Oh Lord I hope this day is good >> Thank y'all, very much.

[ cheers and applause ] Less than a month ago, a dear friend of myself and countless other folks around town was found deceased in Tucson, Arizona, willfully taking his own life after a difficult, long battle with severe mental illness.

His name was Luke Bell -- [ applause and cheers ] and he had barely begun to leave what surely would have been a wide and very deep mark in the history of country music.

His talent was unmeasured, his gall unmatched, and his true cowboy charm was maddeningly effective.

Luke never got the chance to sing this song himself from the stage like he should have.

So I'm going to do my damnedest in your stead, little brother.

[ cheers ] [ music ] singing: Well, I get loud when I get mad.

And I get tough when I get sad And I'll tangle with the horns like a Spaniard in the pit.

Oh, I'm here to play for blood, boys and I'll be here 'til the end.

For I am the greatest bullfighter that ever dared the pen.

Yes I am the greatest bullfighter that ever dared the pen.

[ music ] Oh, I've tied one on tonight And I'm mean enough to fight.

I'm looking for the world to disagree.

So sound the trumpet, folks, and grab your lances friends For I am the greatest bullfighter that ever dared the pen.

Yes I am the greatest bullfighter that ever dared the pen.

[ music ] You can try crucify me.

I don't care if you don't like me.

I tell you I'll be waiting with my golden cape.

And when spit meets meets the dirt, boys, I'll greet you with the grin.

For I am the greatest bullfighter that ever dared the pen.

Oh, I am the greatest bullfighter that ever dared the pen.

[ music ] Some folks are getting tired.

They get old and lose their fire They find the grace of light to lean upon.

But do the bulls does I just as long as I live For I am the greatest bullfighter that ever dared the pen.

Yes, I am the greatest bullfighter that ever dared the pen.

[ music ] [ cheers and applause ] Thank you.

That's for you, Luke.

[ applause continues ] >> It's always a thrill to be invited to stand here on this stage, especially when I get to talk about a friend with whom I've shared many stages.

Please welcome Sierra Ferrell.

[ cheers and applause ] singing: At the end of the rainbow you'll be waiting for me You said that you loved me but you had to leave At the end of the rainbow you'll be waiting for me But you can't help yourself yes Give your love away for free Oh -- oh Well, you say the women in this town they're just like gold But from where I'm standing, they spend it up their nose Soon you're gonna find that these girls they ain't nothing but cold Yes, it's gonna rain but the sun's gonna shine on through At the end of the rainbow you'll be waiting for me You said that you loved me, but you had to leave At the end of the rainbow All your love is just for me But you can't help yourself yes You give your love away for free Oh, you just keep on givin'.

[ music ] It's another lonely day, I'm hopin' you get lucky But after all these years, it has left you feelin' so yucky so yucky!

I'm forgivin' Father Time He don't want any of your wine I'm just hopin' by now you see that sun You're gonna see it through that rain, oh yeah At the end of the rainbow you'll be waiting for me You said that you loved me but you had to leave At the end of the rainbow All your love is just for little old me Too bad you can't help yourself You give your love away for free Yes you give your love Away for free When you should Give all your love to me [ music ] Somewhere over the rainbow [ cheers and applause ] >> Love you!

>> Ladies and gentlemen, Chris Isaak.

[ music ] [ music ] >> singing: I know somebody And they cry for you They lie awake at night And dream of you I bet you never even Know they do But somebody's crying I know somebody And they called your name A million times and still You never came They go on loving you Just the same I know that somebody's trying So please Return the love You took from me Or please Let me know If it can't be me I know when somebody's crying I know when somebody's crying Yeah [ music ] I know when somebody's crying Somebody's crying Give me a sign if you don't Love me too If you don't want me Like I want you But if you cry at night The way I do I'll know that somebody's lying So please Return the love You took from me Or please Let me know If it can't be me I know when somebody's crying I know when Buddy is crying Oh waaaah wah wah Oh waaaah wah wah wah [ cheers and applause ] >> I've got to introduce a song, but first, let's give it up for Buddy Miller.

[ cheers and applause ] And Buddy is gonna sing -- "Stairway To -- uh, um -- [ laughter ] "Wide River To Cross".

Thank God we got that one out of the way.

[ chuckles ] [ applause ] [ music ] >> Singing: There's a sorrow In the wind Blowing down the road I've been I can hear it cry While shadows steal the sun But I cannot look back now I come too far to turn around And there's still a race ahead And there's still a race ahead That I must run I'm only halfway home I'm only halfway home I gotta journey on To where I'll find The things that I have lost The things that I have lost Now, I come a long, long road But still I got miles to go And I got a wide And I got a wide Wide river to cross [ vocalizing ] [ vocalizing ] >> Singing: I have stumbled, I have strayed You can trace the tracks I made All along the memories My heart recalls But I'm just a refugee Won't you say a prayer for me 'Cause sometimes even The strongest soldier falls Yeah, I'm only halfway home I gotta journey on To where I'll find The things I have lost Now, I come a long, long road But still I got miles to go And I got a wide Wide river to cross I got a wide Wide river to cross [ cheers and applause ] Thank you so much.

>> 50 years ago Little Feat released their second album, "Sailing Shoes", and on that record was a classic song I think is familiar to you all.

And we're fortunate tonight that Lyle Lovett... [ cheers and applause ] That Lyle Lovett is "Willin'"... [ cheers and applause ] To help us celebrate that anniversary and take the song for a ride.

Ladies and gentlemen, Lyle Lovett.

[ cheers and applause ] [ music ] >> Singing: I been warped by the rain, Driven by the snow I'm drunk and dirty Don't ya know And I'm still Willin' And I was out on the road Late last night I'd seen my pretty Alice In every head light Alice Alice Dallas Alice And I've been from Tucson to Tucumcari Tehachapi to Tonapah Driven every kind of rig That's ever been made Driven the back roads So I wouldn't get weighed And if you give me Weed whites and wine And you show me a sign I'll be willin' To be movin' I've been kicked by the wind Robbed by the sleet Had my head stoved in But I'm still on my feet And I'm still Willin' Now I smuggled some smokes And folks from Mexico Baked by the sun Every time I go to Mexico, And I'm still And I been from Tucson to Tucumcari Tehachapi to Tonapah Driven every kind of rig That's ever been made Driven the back roads So I wouldn't get weighed And if you give me Weed whites and wine And you show me a sign I'll be willin' To be movin' [ cheers and applause ] Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Bill Payne.

[ cheers and applause ] >> "Jackson Browne (Saturate Before Using)" introduced a fresh voice within the burgeoning singer/songwriter movement, one that is visionary and blazingly honest, tender and uncompromising.

Here to sing "Something Fine" from that album are Americana's Dynamic Duo, Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale of the Milk Carton Kids.

[ cheers and applause ] [ music ] >> Singing: The papers lie there helplessly In a pile outside my door I've tried and tried But I just can't remember What they're for The world outside is tugging Like a beggar at my sleeve Oh that's much too old A story to believe >> And you know that It's taken its share of me Even though You take such good care of me >> But you say Morocco And you makes me smile I haven't seen Morocco For a little while The dreams are running down Across the places in my mind And I've just had a taste Of something fine The future hides And the past just slides England lies between Floating in a silver mist So cold and so clean California's shaking Like an angry child will Who has asked for love And is unanswered still >> And you know that I'm looking back carefully 'Cause I know there's Still something there for me >> But you said Morocco And it made me smile And it hasn't been that easy For a long, long while And looking back into your eyes I saw them really shine Giving me a taste Of something fine Something fine So, if you see Morocco I know you'll go in style I may not see Morocco For a little while But while you're there I was hoping you might Keep it in your mind To save me just a taste Of something fine [ cheers and applause ] >> Thank you!

>> Thanks, everyone!

Please welcome Allison Russell.

[ cheers and applause ] [ music ] >> Our circle is unbroken.

[ cheers and applause ] Our circle is whole.

None above, none below, all of us equal under the listening sky.

[ music ] >> singing: Hey my little Evening star How bright you are Anywhere you go You're not alone Rocks and bugs and angel wings Every little shiny thing Anywhere you go You're not alone You're the north star And the compass Always finding Something wondrous Anywhere you go You are not alone No Whoo [ music ] [ music ] Wish that I could keep you from Sorrow and harm None of us is here for long But you're not alone In the cradle of the circle >> Oh in the cradle of the circle >> All the ones that came Before you >> All the ones that came Before you >> Their strength is yours now >> Their strength is yours >> You're not alone >> Sparrows in the morning >> Sparrows in the morning >> Crows at dusk Crows at dusk >> Singing with your mammy >> Singing with your mammy >> We have love >> Are you ready?

>> We have love >> We have love >> We have love >> We have love >> We have love >> We have love >> You're not alone >> We have love >> We have love >> We have love >> We have love >> We have love >> We have love >> You're not alone You're not alone You're not alone [ cheers and applause ] >> Brandi Carlile.

>> Allison Russell.

>> For more on this program go to pbs.org/austincitylimits >> Singing: Yeah >> I once >> I once >> Was lost >> Sure lost >> But now I'm found >> Now I'm found Thank God I'm found >> Was blind >> Blind >> But now >> Yes Hey But right now >> I said yeah >> Right now Right now now Now now now Hey I see Eee eee eee eee >> See >> Yes Yes Hallelujah Yeah