Americana Music Association Saluting Van Morrison

The Americana Music Association will be showing “crazy love” to Van Morrison this year. The Northern Irish artist will receive the 2017 lifetime achievement award for songwriting from the association and then stick around to perform at AmericanaFest. 

The 18th annual Americana Music Festival & Conference will be held in Nashville Sept. 12-17, featuring more than 215 live performances at 14 venues. The conference portion of the event includes panels, seminars and exclusive day-time gigs, with a focus on the interest and needs of music industry professionals. 

Evan Agostini / Invision / AP – Van Morrison46th Annual Songwriters Hall Of Fame Induction and Awards Gala, Marriott Marquis Theatre, New York City

Morrison will receive his lifetime achievement award during the Americana Honors and Awards show, which takes place Sept. 13 at Music City’s historic Ryman Auditorium.

Americana Music Association Executive Director Jed Hilly said in a statement that Morrison “created a catalog of music that has served as a soundtrack for our lives.”

Following a stint as the frontman of the Northern Irish band Them, Morrison launched his solo career with the hit single “Brown Eyed Girl,” which was included on his 1967 debut album, Blowin’ Your Mind!  

Last year he released his 36th studio album, Keep Me Singing.  

A presale begins May 16 at 10 a.m. CDT and tickets go on sale to the general public May 19 at 10 a.m. CDT.

Passes for the conference are on sale now.