Loretta Lynn wins top Americana award

NASHVILLE, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Loretta Lynn was a double winner Friday at the third annual Americana Honors and Awards in Nashville.

In a ceremony at the 2004 Americana Music Association Conference, Lynn won for Album of the Year and Artist of the Year for her critically acclaimed CD "Van Lear Rose," produced by Jack White of the rock band White Stripes.

Newcomer Mindy Smith was named New/Emergent Artist of the Year, and Nashville veteran Rodney Crowell won Song of the Year honors for "Fate's Right Hand."

Will Kimbrough won for Best Instrumentalist and Steve Earle was honored with the organization's Spirit of Americana Free Speech Award. The organization presented The Carter Family with its President's Award.

The event featured live performances by Crowell, Smith, Earle, Tony Joe White, Shelby Lynne, Mavis Staples and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.