Billy Crystal’s Still Foolin’ ‘Em won the award for Audiobook of the Year and Pete Seeger’s Pete Seeger: The Storm King took home the prize for Distinguished Achievement in Production tonight at the Audies Gala in New York City.
Crystal himself narrated Still Foolin’ ‘Em—which also won the awards for Humor and Narration by the Author—for Macmillan Audio, while Seeger, who died in January of this year, read Pete Seeger: The Storm King for Hachette Audio.
"Wow! Three’s the charm," said Crystal of the awards in a statement. "I am so proud to have been chosen as the Audiobook of the Year and to win the other two categories as well against such great audiobooks. I loved writing and performing this book and turning parts of it into a live comedy album like the ones that inspired me growing up. Beautifully recorded and produced by Scott Sherratt and Laura Wilson with music by Freddy Khaw -- it’s great to finally get that Meryl Streep monkey off my back. Many thanks to Macmillan Audio for believing in creating a total listening experience."
This year’s award ceremony was held at the New York Academy of Medicine and hosted by author and Audie Award-winner Libba Bray, whose YA novel Beauty Queens earned the prize for Best Narration by the Author in 2012. Bray's hosting included a bawdy song, a hilarious video of her recording booth "outtakes," and a lot of laughs.
Katherine Kellgren claimed the award for Solo Narration—Female—her second consecutive win—for Rhys Bowen’s The Twelve Clues of Christmas (Audible, Inc.), while David Pittu won the Audie for Solo Narration—Male for Donna Tartt’s The Goldfinch (Hachette Audio). And, veteran narrator George Guidall—who has recorded over 1,100 audiobooks—was honored with the Special Achievement Award.
A full recap of tonight’s winners is as follows:
Audiobook of the Year: Still Foolin’ ‘Em (Macmillan Audio)
Distinguished Achievement in Production: Pete Seeger: The Storm King (Hachette Audio)
Non-Fiction: David and Goliath (Hachette Audio)
Biography/Memoir: The Elephant Whisperer (Tantor Media)
History: Devil in the Grove (Hachette Audio)
Inspirational/Faith-Based Non-Fiction: Keeping Hope Alive (Hachette Audio)
Business/Educational: Leadership Skills of the Salvation Army (eChristian)
Personal Development: You Are a Badass (Tantor Media)
Humor: Still Foolin’ ‘Em (Macmillan Audio)
Fiction: Doctor Sleep (Simon & Schuster Audio)
Literary Fiction: The Goldfinch (Hachette Audio)
Classic: The Complete Sherlock Holmes (Brilliance Audio)
Inspirational/Faith-Based Fiction: A Story of God and All of Us (Hachette Audio)
Short Stories/Collections: Sherlock Holmes in America (Audible, Inc.)
Romance: The Longest Ride (Hachette Audio)
Erotica: Carrie’s Story: An Erotic S/M Novel (Audible, Inc.)
Science Fiction: Captain Vorpatril’s Alliance (Blackstone Audio)
Paranormal: Reviver (Macmillan Audio)
Fantasy: Wisp of a Thing (Blackstone Audio)
Mystery: Unleashed (Listen & Live Audio)
Thriller/Suspense: The Hit (Hachette Audio)
Package Design: Clockwork Angels: The Watchmaker’s Edition (Brilliance Audio)
Children’s Titles for Ages Up to 8: Hooray for Anna Hibiscus (Recorded Books)
Children’s Titles for Ages 8-12: Matilda (Penguin Audio)
Teens: Viva Jacquelina (Listen & Live Audio)
Audio Drama: Oliver Twist (Tyndale House)
Multi-Voiced Performance: World War Z: The Complete Edition (Random House Audio/Books on Tape)
Original Work: Thirteen (Spokenworld Audio/Ladbroke Audio Ltd.)
Narration by the Author: Still Foolin’ ‘Em (Macmillan Audio)
Solo Narration—Female: Katherine Kellgren for The Twelve Clues of Christmas (Audible, Inc.)
Solo Narration-Male: David Pittu for The Goldfinch (Hachette Audio)
Special Achievement Award: George Guidall
