Roots Music Award Winners

The Roots Music Association announced the winners of the 2008 Roots Music Awards yesterday after a number of delays due to the cancellation of the Music United '08 Radio Conference and Music Festival.

Roots music encompasses a fairly wide range of music styles, including blues, bluegrass, reggae, gospel, folk, traditional country and a bit of jazz.

This year's winners:

• Blues Artist - Pinetop Perkins
• Blues Songwriter - Tom Gray
• Roots/Americana Artist - Emmylou Harris
• Roots/Americana Songwriter - Chris Knight
• Reggae Artist - Burning Spear
• Gospel Artist - Jerry Yates
• Zydeco Artist - Jo-El Sonnier
• Jazz Artist - Herbie Hancock
• True Country Artist - Dwight Yakham
• True Country Songwriter - Alan Jackson
• Bluegrass Artist - Dixie Bee-Liners
• Bluegrass Songwriter - Dennis Nelson
• Cowboy/Western Swing Artist - Asleep at the Wheel
• Folk Artist - Anne McCue
• Folk Songwriter - Carrie Rodruguez
• Roots Rock Artist - Mickey & the Motorcars