Mary Chapin Carpenter Receives Free Speech in Music Award

Mary-Chapin-Carpenter
In front of a sold-out crowd, singer-songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter was presented with the “Spirit of Americana Free Speech” award from the Americana Music Association and the Newseum's First Amendment Center. The award is given to honor artists who use freedom of expression through music to raise awareness and build understanding.
 
In addition to receiving such a prestigious award, guests were also treated to music by Carpenter in addition to Rodney Crowell, Judy Collins and Eric Brace of "Last Train Home." Collins, who received the same award in 2005, presented Carpenter with her award.
 
Carpenter was honored for "a remarkable body of work that engages heart, head and soul, and which will resonate for a very long time to come," said Ken Paulson, president of the First Amendment Center and Newseum.
 
The event also celebrated Carpenter’s newest album, The Age of Miracles, which was released on Tuesday. The album features 12 tracks produced by Carpenter and Matt Rollings, and showcases a band of Rollings (piano, B-3 organ), Russ Kunkel (drums), Duke Levine (electric and acoustic guitar), Glenn Worf (bass), Dan Dugmore (steel and 12 string guitar) and Eric Darken (percussion).
 
“The sessions were charmed, in the way that intensely creative recording sessions can be,” said Carpenter. “The energy of the core band never flagged and the generosity of ideas that flowed each day were utter gifts.”
 
Country music stars Vince Gill and Alison Krauss also lend their vocals to a couple tracks. The album can be streamed live by visiting http://music.aol.com/new-releases-full-cds/#/3/