Winners Revealed At 24th Annual Americana Honors & Awards

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Daniel Lanois and Emmylou Harris perform onstage for the 24th Annual Americana Honors & Awards. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Americana Music Association)

The Americana Music Association revealed the winners of the 24th Annual Americana Honors & Awards at the Ryman Auditorium last night (Sept. 10).

Sierra Ferrell continued her reign as the Americana Artist of the Year with her second consecutive win with the ceremony’s biggest award of the evening. Brandi Carlile presented Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats with the Album of the Year honor for their LP South of Here. The triumphant trio of Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan and Sara Watkins comprising I’m With Her was awarded with Song of the Year for “Ancient Light,” written by the three songwriters themselves. Lifelong musical partners Gillian Welch & David Rawlings were crowned as Duo/Group of the Year award. MJ Lenderman took home Emerging Act of the Year and Alex Hargreaves, a current full-time touring member with Billy Strings, earned the nod for Instrumentalist of the Year.

Nathaniel Rateliff wins the Album of the Year Award onstage at the 24th Annual Americana Honors & Awards. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Americana Music Association

John C. Reilly hosted the evening. During the show, Emmylou Harris and Daniel Lanois performed a rendition of her “May This Be Love.” Buddy Miller returned as musical director for the Americana All-Star Band, featuring Don Was, The McCrary Sisters, Fred Eltringham, Jen Gunderman, Jim Hoke and Larry Campbell. Old 97’s, Joe Henry and Darrell Scott all received Americana Lifetime Achievement honors. The McCrary Sisters were recognized with the Legacy of Americana award (in partnership with the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM). John Fogerty presented the Spirit of Americana Free Speech in Music award to Jesse Welles.

Throughout the night, attendees were treated to additional performances by Dawes, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Emmylou Harris, I’m With Her, JD McPherson, John C. Reilly, Joy Oladokun, Maggie Antone, Maggie Rose, Margo Price, Medium Build, Nathaniel Rateliff, Noeline Hofmann and Old 97’s.

“What a great night!” shares Jed Hilly, Executive Director of the Americana Music Association and Foundation. “We saw the breadth of the Americana community and spirit. This legacy has stood strong for over two decades and will continue for many more to come.”

2025 Honors & Awards Winners [Full List]:

Album of the Year: South of Here; Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats; Produced by Brad Cook

Artist of the Year: Sierra Ferrell

Duo/Group of the Year: Gillian Welch & David Rawlings

Emerging Act of the Year: MJ Lenderman

Song of the Year: “Ancient Light,” I’m With Her; Written by Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan & Sara Watkins

Instrumentalist of the Year: Alex Hargreaves

Maggie Rose performs onstage for the 24th Annual Americana Honors Awards. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Americana Music Association

Margo Price and John C. Reilly perform onstage for the 24th Annual Americana Honors & Awards. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Americana Music Association

Rodney Crowell and Rosanne Cash speak onstage for the 24th Annual Americana Honors Awards. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Americana Music Association

Hayes Carll presents Darrell Scott with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Americana Music Association

Lauryn Sink
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