Americana and Austin artists inseparable in 2009 playlists

The jury might be out on which city gets to claim the title of Americana capital of the world, but it looks like Austin's got as good a shot as any town albums from local artists were all over the Americana airplay chart in 2009, according to a release last week from the Americana Music Association.

The trade association tracks the airplay of terrestrial radio stations, nationally syndicated shows, satellite radio and Internet stations that agree to submit weekly play counts of Americana albums. You can find the full chart, which lists the most-played Americana albums on member stations, on the association's Web site: www.americanaradio.org.

But the short story is that the list contains plenty of love for Austin artists, former Austin artists and musicians closely affiliated with the local scene — including Willie Nelson and Asleep at the Wheel, Ryan Bingham, Ruthie Foster, the Greencards, the Belleville Outfit, Sarah Jarosz, Hayes Carll, Dale Watson, the Band of Heathens and the Gourds, among others. The highest ranking local is none other than Slaid Cleaves, for his album "Everything You Love Will Be Taken Away," which was released in April of this year.