 The Recording Academy added the category of “Best Americana Album” in 2009, and Merriam-Webster included the musical term into the dictionary in 2011.The AMA has not only been a refuge for artistry in a time of tumult for popular music, but also, a resource for hundreds of upcoming artists, songwriters, musicians, and producers.Today, Americana is one of the best selling music genres according to Billboard’s Top 20 album charts - with artists like Mumford & Sons, The Avett Brothers, The Civil Wars, The Lumineers and more, becoming the mainstream and not the exception.