Billy Strings, The War & Treaty Among Americana Honors & Awards Winners

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Billy Strings speaks onstage for the 22nd Annual Americana Honors & Awards at Ryman Auditorium. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Americana Music Association

Another Americana Honors & Awards ceremony is in the books, with Tyler Childers taking home the night’s coveted Album Of The Year award for his project Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven? at this year’s 22nd annual event.

During the awards, which took place last night (Sept. 20) at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Billy Strings received the Artist Of The Year nod—celebrating back-to-back wins in the category—and The War And Treaty also notched their second trophy for Duo/Group of the Year, as well.

Margo Price performs onstage for the 22nd Annual Americana Honors & Awards. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Americana Music Association

Bonnie Raitt‘s “Just Like That” took home Song of the Year honors during the ceremony, and S.G. Goodman was named Emerging Act of the Year. Instrumentalist of the Year went to SistaStrings, comprised of sisters Chauntee and Monique Ross.

Highlights from the evening included Patty Griffin accepting the Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting from presenter Sarah Silverman. Allison Russell was given the Spirit of Americana/Free Speech in Music Award from John Seigenthaler and local lawmakers Gloria Johnson, Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, putting her in the same company with Joan Baez, Jackson Browne, Johnny Cash and Mavis Staples, who have all formerly received the award.

Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter of The War And Treaty backstage at the 22nd Annual Americana Honors & Awards. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Americana Music Association

The Avett Brothers and Nickel Creek were also honored with Trailblazer Awards during the evening by two-time Americana Music Association Artist of the Year Brandi Carlile and Kacey Musgraves, respectively. Soul singer-songwriter Bettye Lavette was also recognized for her 60-year body of work with the Legacy Award, presented by the National Museum of African-American Music during the special evening.

“I marvel at the talented musicians of our community who consistently surpass expectations and come together to highlight the importance of authenticity, friendship, and unity,” said Executive Director of the Americana Music Association, Jed Hilly, of the evening. “It is a privilege for me to be a part of this exceptional evening where we celebrate the well-deserved accomplishments of this incredible genre.”

PBS will broadcast ACL Presents: The 22nd Annual Americana Honors, a special episode of Austin City Limits featuring performance highlights from the show, on Nov. 25.

2023 Honors & Awards Winners:

Album of the Year: Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven?, Tyler Childers; Produced by Tyler Childers

Artist of the Year: Billy Strings

Duo/Group of the Year: The War And Treaty

Emerging Act of the Year: S.G. Goodman

Song of the Year: “Just Like That,” Bonnie Raitt; Written by Bonnie Raitt

Instrumentalist of the Year: SistaStrings

Bonnie Raitt performs onstage for the 22nd Annual Americana Honors & Awards. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Americana Music Association

S.G. Goodman backstage at the 22nd Annual Americana Honors & Awards. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Americana Music Association

SistaStrings’ Chauntee Ross and Monique Ross pose with Billy Strings backstage at the 22nd Annual Americana Honors & Awards. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Americana Music Association

Lorie Hollabaugh
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