Alabama Shakes - Alabama Shakes And The Civil Wars Win Americana Awards

The Civil Wars took home the trophy for duo/group of the year, while Alabama Shakes were named new/emerging artist during the ceremony at the city's famed Ryman Auditorium.

John Paul White, of The Civil Wars, spoke of his joy at being recognised by the Americana community, telling reporters, "It's the people that we respect and that we love, our heroes. People that led the way and showed us that we didn't have to fit in a box."

His bandmate Joy Williams adds, "There's a work ethic here (in Nashville). A sort of doggedness that I love about the genre and an authenticity and earthiness that is something that I'm really proud to be a part of."

This One's for Him: A Tribute to Guy Clark, which features covers of tracks by Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson and Emmylou Harris, was named Album of the Year and the most poignant moment of the night came when Clark himself took to the stage to perform My Favorite Picture of You, a song he wrote for his late wife .

He told the crowd, "I wrote this for my wife Susannah, who died in June. I wish she could be here to hear it. But I'll play it for her anyway."

Blues singer/songwriter Bonnie Raitt was honoured with a lifetime achievement award, along with producer Booker T. Jones and British musician Richard Thompson, and other prizes went to Gillian Welch (artist of the year) and Jason Isbell (song of the year).

The evening ended with a tribute to late The Band star Levon Helm, with a number of musicians taking to the stage to perform his song The Weight.