Americana Music Association Hosts 25th Annual Americana Honors & Awards

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Molly Tuttle accepts Artist of The Year award onstage during the 25th Annual Americana Honors & Awards at Ryman Auditorium on September 16, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Americana Music Association

The Americana Music Association honored several artists, songwriters and musicians last night (Sept. 16) at the 25th Annual Americana Honors & Awards at the Ryman Auditorium.

Molly Tuttle won Artist of the Year for the first time. Tyler Childers received Album of the Year for Snipe Hunter, produced by Rick Rubin and Nick Sanborn.

Brandi Carlile earned Song of the Year for “Returning to Myself,” the title track from her latest album, which she wrote herself. Gillian Welch & David Rawlings claimed Duo/Group of the Year for the second year in a row.

Mike Campbell of The Heartbreakers and Chris Stapleton perform onstage during the 25th Annual Americana Honors & Awards at Ryman Auditorium on September 16, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Americana Music Association

Ken Pomeroy received Emerging Act of the Year following a breakout year that included the release of her acclaimed 2025 album Cruel Joke. Mandy Fer, an electric guitarist and touring musician with Allison Russell, was named Instrumentalist of the Year.

The ceremony featured several special moments, including Bernie Taupin presenting Carlile with her award. Hayes Carll and Elizabeth Cook paid tribute to the late Todd Snider, while the evening closed with an all-star performance of The Mavericks’ “Dance the Night Away” in honor of Raul Malo.

Buddy Miller returned as musical director of the Americana All-Star Band. The group also featured Larry Campbell, Fred Eltringham, Jen Gunderman, Jim Hoke, The McCrary Sisters and Don Was.

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Robert Plant and Dolly Parton were each recognized with Americana Lifetime Achievement honors.

Kashus Culpepper performs onstage during the 25th Annual Americana Honors & Awards at Ryman Auditorium on September 16, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Americana Music Association

The Heartbreakers reunited for the ceremony with special guest Chris Stapleton. I’m With Her, featuring Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan and Sara Watkins, joined Carlile for a tribute to Parton with “Coat of Many Colors.”

Plant returned to the Ryman for the Americana Honors & Awards for the first time in 15 years. As a 2026 Lifetime Achievement honoree, he performed “Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down” and “Angel Dance.”

A video recorded by Parton before her death in August 2026 was also shown during the ceremony as she accepted her honor.

Additional performances throughout the night came from Boy Golden, Crowe Boys, Flatland Cavalry, Jesse Welles, Kashus Culpepper, Kathleen Edwards, Pomeroy, Margo Price, Tuttle, Mon Rovîa and S.G. Goodman.

“What an incredible way to celebrate the 25th annual Americana Honors & Awards,” said Jed Hilly, Executive Director of the Americana Music Association and Foundation. “The breadth and depth of talent on stage this evening is beyond words. Celebrating The Heartbreakers’ historic reunion with special guest Chris Stapleton, getting to honor the legendary Robert Plant and our beloved Dolly Parton made this show one of the most special ones I’ve been a part of. Congratulations to all the winners and honorees; we are so grateful to everyone who is a member of this Americana community.”

Mandy Fer accepts the Instrumentalist of the Year award onstage during the 25th Annual Americana Honors & Awards at Ryman Auditorium on September 16, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Americana Music Association

Robert Plant performs onstage during the 25th Annual Americana Honors & Awards at Ryman Auditorium on September 16, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Americana Music Association

Ken Pomeroy accepts the Emerging Act of the Year award onstage during the 25th Annual Americana Honors & Awards at Ryman Auditorium on September 16, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Americana Music Association

Wesley Hall and Cleto Cordero of Flatland Cavalry performs onstage during the 25th Annual Americana Honors & Awards at Ryman Auditorium on September 16, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Americana Music Association

Gillian Welch speaks onstage during the 25th Annual Americana Honors & Awards at Ryman Auditorium on September 16, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Americana Music Association

Brandi Carlile accepts the Song of the Year award onstage during the 25th Annual Americana Honors & Awards at Ryman Auditorium on September 16, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Americana Music Association

Sara Watkins, and Sarah Jarosz of I’m with Her, Langhorne Slim, and Ocie Crowe of Crowe Boys perform onstage during the 25th Annual Americana Honors & Awards at Ryman Auditorium on September 16, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Americana Music Association

Madison Hahnen
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