Alabama Shakes Win Emerging Artist of the Year at Americana Music Awards

Garage-soul quartet Alabama Shakes, whose 'Boys and Girls' was one of the most talked-about debut albums in recent memory, walked away with the Emerging Artist of the Year prize at the 11th annual Americana Music Awards last night (Sept. 12). The ceremony was held at the legendary Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.

Alabama Shakes beat out Dawes, Deep Dark Woods and Robert Ellis for the award, which is presented by the Americana Music Association. The organization, according to their mission statement, is "dedicated to building and promoting the Americana genre and the individuals who participate in our industry."

The Civil Wars, whose debut album, 'Barton Hollow,' came out in 2010, took home Duo/Group of the Year and Jason Isbell, formerly of the Drive-By Truckers, won Song of the Year for 'Alabama Pines.' Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to three musicians: Bonnie Raitt (Performance), Richard Thompson (Songwriting) and Booker T. Jones (Instrumentalist).

The evening closed with a tribute to Levon Helm of the Band, who passed away in April. Many of the musicians on-hand took to the stage to perform 'The Weight.' An abridged version of the ceremony will air on PBS' 'Austin City Limits' on Nov. 10.