NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Patty Griffin, whose songs have been praised for their poetic lyrics, won album of the year and artist of the year awards Thursday at the Americana Music awards.

Griffin, 43, won album of the year for “Children Running Through,” which some critics have called the most complete work of her career.

The Old Town, Maine, native made her debut in 1996 with “Living with Ghosts.” Artists from Emmylou Harris and the Dixie Chicks to Jessica Simpson and Kelly Clarkson have covered her songs.

The Avett Brothers, a nontraditional bluegrass band, also took home two awards, for duo group and new/emerging artist. The North Carolina group combines bluegrass with pop, punk, folk, country and other musical styles and is known for its energetic live shows.

Other winners included Buddy Miller, instrumentalist of the year; Darryl Scott, song of the year for “Hank Williams’ Ghost”; Lyle Lovett, Trailblazer Award; Joe Ely, lifetime achievement for performance; and Ry Cooder, lifetime achievement for instrumentalist.

Willie Nelson, lifetime achievement for songwriter; Mary Martin, lifetime achievement for an executive; Jim Dickinson, lifetime achievement for a producer engineer; and Townes Van Zandt, the president’s award.

Artists who performed at the show included Lovett, Harris, Ricky Skaggs and Bruce Hornsby.

The sixth annual awards were presented by the Americana Music Association at the Ryman Auditorium. They honor what can be called American roots music, with influences including country, blues, rock, bluegrass and folk.