k.d. lang to Receive Americana Trailblazer Award

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (June 7, 2018) – The Americana Music Association has named k.d. lang as the recipient of the 2018 Americana Trailblazer Award. The honor will be presented to lang at the 17th annual Americana Honors & Awards, which will be held on Wednesday, September 12 at the historic Ryman Auditorium. lang will also headline the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on Sunday, September 16 as part of her “Ingénue Redux” Tour, celebrating that landmark album’s 25th anniversary.

Since her 1984 indie debut, this four-time Grammy Award-winner has taken the world by storm with her incomparable voice, show-stopping charisma and unapologetic authenticity. Referred to as “the best singer of her generation” by friend and duet partner Tony Bennett, Canadian-born k.d. lang has had a distinguished career. In addition to the fruitful collaboration with Bennett, she has performed alongside musical luminaries including Roy Orbison, Bonnie Raitt, Elton John, and Loretta Lynn. She sang at the closing ceremonies of the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary and at the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. lang has contributed music to the soundtracks of several films, including “Even Cowgirls Get the Blues,” “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” and “Happy Feet.” In addition to her music career, lang has also appeared in a number of films, including “Salmonberries,” “The Black Dahlia,” and “Eye of the Beholder.” In 1996, lang received Canada’s highest civilian honor, the Order of Canada.

Her pioneering career serves as a touchstone for any artist who aspires to pave his or her own lane while challenging the one-size-fits-all norm in the music industry.

“We are beyond excited to honor k.d. lang at our hallmark event of the year,” said Jed Hilly, Executive Director of the Americana Music Association. “Her unwavering artistry has set a new standard for any musician of this current generation, and we are humbled to honor that legacy.”

For more information on the association or to purchase tickets for this year’s Americana Honors & Awards and passes to AMERICANAFEST, please visit americanamusic.org.