Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and Elton John. Historically fascinating and musically entertaining, The American Epic Sessions was the perfect film to watch during SXSW at Austin’s historic Paramount Theatre, surrounded as we were by the ghosts of entertainers who’d graced the stage over its 100-year history.” James Jackson in The Times wrote “none of these machines survive, but for this high-class film the engineering has been lovingly reassembled for today’s stars to try. It’s all very muso, but completely enriching too – watching Elton John compose a song with Jack White is a thrill.” Euan Ferguson, in The Observer summarized “I have to say all acquitted themselves phenomenally. Everyone who has ever been even the tiniest bit interested in music should watch this.” The film has received a number of awards, including the Foxtel Audience Award at the 2016 Sydney Film Festival,. At the 2016 Calgary International Film Festival, it won the Audience Award and garnered director Bernard MacMahon the Discovery Award. The film was also nominated for a Primetime Emmy 2017 for Outstanding Musical Direction, Bernard MacMahon and Allison McGourty were nominated by the British Academy Film Awards in 2018 as Breakthrough Talents for The American Epic Sessions and the film won a Grammy Award for Alabama Shakes performance of “Killer Diller Blues". Awards and nominations Album The original motion picture soundtrack was a three-LP and two-CD album released on June 9, 2017. It contained many performances not featured in the film, including "One Mic" by Nas, " “Mama's Angel Child" by Jack White, "Come on In My Kitchen" by Stephen Stills, and "Josephine" by Pokey Lafarge. Performances Performers Groups Alabama Shakes Zac Cockrell - Bass Heath Fogg - Guitar Brittany Howard - Vocals, Guitar Steve Johnson - Drums Ben Tanner - Piano The Americans Tim Carr - Steel Guitar Jake Faulkner - Upright Bass Patrick Ferris - Guitar Zac Sokolow - Mandolin The Avett Brothers Scott Avett - Vocals, Banjo Seth Avett - Vocals, Acoustic guitar Bob Crawford - Upright Bass Joe Kwon - Cello Beck Beck Hansen - Vocals And Guitar Roger Manning - Piano Emanuel Bennet - Vocals Jennifer M. Brown - Vocals Claire Hafteck - Vocals Shana May Jackson - Vocals Michelle Jones - Vocals Fred Martin - Musical Director Dwanna Orange - Vocals Tai Phillips - Vocals Kevin Shannon - Vocals Ari Sorko-Ram - Vocals Fawn Sorko-Ram - Vocals Marc Sorko-Ram - Vocals Frank