Americana Music Association Unveils 2025 Americana Award Nominees

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The Americana Music Association has unveiled the nominees for its 24th annual Americana Honors & Awards. The winners will be announced during the ceremony on Sept. 10, 2025 at the Ryman Auditorium. The celebrated program is the hallmark event of Americanafest, which returns for its 25th year on Sept. 9-13, 2025.

The Americana Music Association honors distinguished members of the music community with six member-voted annual awards and Lifetime Achievement awards, presented by NMAAM. Tickets are available here.

A full list of categories and nominees is below.

Album Of The Year:
Lonesome Drifter, Charley Crockett; Produced by Charley Crockett & Shooter Jennings
Foxes in the Snow, Jason Isbell; Produced by Jason Isbell & Gena Johnson
Manning Fireworks, MJ Lenderman; Produced by Alex Farrar & MJ Lenderman
South of Here, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats; Produced by Brad Cook
Woodland, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings; Produced by David Rawlings

Artist Of The Year:
Charley Crockett
Sierra Ferrell
Joy Oladokun
Billy Strings
Waxahatchee

Duo/Group Of The Year:
Julien Baker & TORRES
Dawes
Larkin Poe
The Mavericks
Gillian Welch & David Rawlings

Emerging Act Of The Year:
Noeline Hofmann
MJ Lenderman
Medium Build
Maggie Rose
Jesse Welles

Instrumentalist Of The Year:
Fred Eltringham
Alex Hargreaves
Megan Jane
Kaitlyn Raitz
Seth Taylor

Song Of The Year:
“Johnny Moonshine,” Maggie Antone; Written by Maggie Antone, Natalie Hemby & Aaron Raitiere
“Ancient Light,” I’m With Her; Written by Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan & Sara Watkins
“Wristwatch,” MJ Lenderman; Written by MJ Lenderma
“Sunshine Getaway,” JD McPherson; Written by Page Burkum, JD McPherson & Jack Torrey

Jonathan Mayers, Bonnaroo & Superfly Entertainment Co-Founder, Dies

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Jonathan Mayers, co-founder of Superfly Entertainment and the co-creator of festivals including Bonnaroo and Outside Lands, has died. His age and cause of death are unknown at this time.

Mayers, a New York native and a graduate of Tulane University, began his work in music through New Orleans venue Tipitina’s and the long-running Jazz Fest celebration. He co-founded Superfly in 1996 with Rick Farman, Richard Goodstone and Kerry Black. In 2002, the group launched the first Bonnaroo. Mayers was later an integral part of launching Vegoose in Las Vegas, Clusterfest and Outside Lands in San Francisco, and creating immersive fan experiences for shows including Seinfeld, The Office, South Park, Arrested Development, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The Daily Show, Friends and more.

 

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Mayers parted from Superfly in 2021 and created Core City Detroit, which sought to raise money to invest in a “culturally rich neighborhood anchored by a music campus providing world- class services, infrastructure, and housing for local/national artists & industry along with entertainment experiences for the public,” according to an investment deck on the project.

Company officials at Another Planet Entertainment issued a statement to Billboard following Mayers’ passing. “Jonathan was a bright light, always pushing new and creative ideas in the entertainment space,” they said. “He was a visionary who was integral in the founding and the spirit of Outside Lands. Everyone in the Another Planet family will miss him dearly.

“Jonathan was one of the true real visionaries of the modern concert world and one of the core minds behind Bonnaroo,” longtime friend Peter Shapiro, founder of Dayglo Presents and the Brooklyn Bowl tells Billboard. “Modern-day festivals are all in some way built off of his vision.”

Ruston Kelly Explores Complexities Of Joy On ‘Pale, Through The Window’ Due In Sept.

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Ruston Kelly will release his latest album Pale, Through the Window, on September 12 via Rounder Records.

The album captures a season of personal transformation for the singer-songwriter and on this new 13-track collection, Kelly forges a new creative path, capturing his newfound clarity and joy, without sacrificing the vulnerability he’s known for. Pale, Through the Window is an expansive and grounded album, created after an artistic and existential low point for Kelly, and it delivers a portrait of hope, testaments about renewal and love, grace, healing and more. Produced by longtime collaborator Jarrad K, Pale, Through the Window is also Kelly’s first album made alongside his touring band. A new track from the project, “Wayside,” was released alongside the announcement.

“This album feels like a return to the truest, purest, most complete version of who I am as an artist and a human being,” says Kelly. “I wanted to write about joy in a way that was still honest and complicated, because that’s what real joy is—it carries everything that came before it.”

Alongside the album announcement, Kelly has also announced his “Pale, Through the Window Headline Tour,” which includes stops at Bowery Ballroom, Ryman Auditorium, Troubadour and more. Pre sales launch today (June 10,) followed by the public on-sale on June 13.

Pale, Through The Window Track List:
1. “Pale, Through the Window” (Ruston Kelly)
2. “Give Up the Ghost” (Ruston Kelly)
3. “Wayside” (Ruston Kelly)
4. “Half Past Three” (Ruston Kelly)
5. “Me and You” (Ruston Kelly)
6. “Twisted Root” (Ruston Kelly)
7. “Still” (Ruston Kelly, Emily Weisband, Peter Raffoul)
8. “Waiting to Love You” (Ruston Kelly, Jarrad K, Jon Green)
9. “I See You” (Ruston Kelly)
10. “Pickleball” (Kelly, Jarrad K)
11. “House in the Country” (Ruston Kelly)
12. “Great Wide Open” (Ruston Kelly)
13. “All In” (Ruston Kelly)

Weekly Register: Morgan Wallen Stays Atop Country Charts

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Morgan Wallen. Photo: Spidey Smith

Morgan Wallen remains atop the country albums and streaming songs charts this week, according to Luminate data. His recently-released I’m The Problem album has garnered 246K in total consumption (16K in album only and 290 million in song streams). His duet with Tate McRae, “What I Want,” tops the songs chart with 22 million streams this week, adding to its 76 million total.

Wallen also holds the No. 2 and No. 3 spots on the album chart with One Thing At A Time garnering 40K in total consumption and Dangerous: The Double Album with 30K. Falling in at No. 4 is Shaboozey’s Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going with 27K and taking No. 5 is Post Malone’s F-1 Trillion with 21K.

On the songs chart, Wallen holds the top four spots. “Just In Case” comes in at No. 2 with 20 million streams this week, “I’m The Problem” holds No. 3 with 16 million and “I Got Better” stays at No. 4 with 14 million. Rounding out the top five is BigXthaPlug and Bailey Zimmerman‘s “All The Way” with 13 million streams this week, adding to its 156 million total.

Jon Loba To Receive 2025 CRB President’s Award

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Jon Loba, President of Frontline Recordings for BMG Americas, will receive the 2025 Country Radio Broadcasters (CRB) President’s Award.

The award is presented to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and played a vital role in shaping the success of the Country Radio Seminar (CRS) and its mission to advance the country radio format.

“Jon Loba doesn’t just play the game—he redefines it,” says Kurt Johnson, CRB/CRS Board President. “He’s backed legends, bet on new voices, and pushed country forward at every turn. His impact on CRS is undeniable, and now, with a broader platform at BMG, he’s reminding the industry why Music Row sets the standard. This award isn’t just deserved. It’s overdue.”

With more than two decades of leadership in the music industry, Loba has been a pivotal player in the careers of Jason Aldean, Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson, Dustin Lynch, and Parmalee, as well as the global viral hit “The Git Up” by Blanco Brown, among many others.

The award will be presented during the Country Radio Hall of Fame event, scheduled for July 21, at the Virgin Hotel Nashville. The evening will also recognize distinguished radio professionals, including on-air personalities Big D & Bubba, Mary McCoy, and Rowdy Yates, along with radio honorees Ginny “Rogers” Brophey, Clay Hunnicutt, and Gregg Swedberg.

Landon Sears Signs With Big Yellow Dog Music

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Pictured (L-R, back row): Jacee Badeaux, Carla Wallace, Brannen Carter and Lydia Drye. (L-R, middle row): Alana Morgan, Morgan Brady, Alex Stefano, Nicole Rhodes and Jonah Gordon. (front row): Landon Sears.

Producer, singer-songwriter and musician Landon Sears has inked with Big Yellow Dog Music.

“I am incredibly blessed to be in a spot where I can fully make music for a living,” says Sears. “It’s an honor to be a part of such an amazing publishing team here at Big Yellow Dog. Looking forward to working and getting better everyday.”

Hailing from Danville, Kentucky, Sears has been around music since childhood, playing bluegrass fiddle growing up. Now based in Nashville, Sears is well versed in the hip-hop and K-pop genres, garnering multiple Platinum records and No. 1 hits in Korea. He has collaborated with NCT 127, NCT Dream, NCT DoJaeJung, Kang Daniel and CIX, among others.

“I am thrilled to welcome Landon Sears into the Big Yellow Dog Music family,” shares Nicole Rhodes, Senior Director, Sync at Big Yellow Dog Music. “His energy, hard work and talent speaks for itself. I am stoked for what’s to come!”

“When our Senior Director of Sync, Nicole Rhodes, said, ‘I’ve got a writer/producer you need to hear,’ we listened,” adds Carla Wallace, Co-Owner and CEO of Big Yellow Dog Music. “Landon Sears’ versatility isn’t just impressive—it’s liberating. His ability to move seamlessly across genres taps into our indie nature and lets us act fast, creatively, and without boundaries.”

Lakelin Lemmings Inks With Stone Country Records

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Pictured (L-R, top row): Brown Sellers Brown’s Ash Bowers, Kendra Whitehead and Jason Sellers. (L-R, bottom row): Brown Seller Brown’s Benny Brown and Lakelin Lemmings. Photo: Courtesy of Brown Sellers Brown/ Stone Country Records

Singer-songwriter Lakelin Lemmings has signed a record deal with Brown Sellers Brown imprint Stone Country Records.

Lemmings began playing in talent shows and local festivals in West Tennessee at just six years old and began writing and recording in Nashville at 12. When she was 17, she signed her first publishing deal.

Her label debut “American Dreamin'” will release on June 20. Drawing from her inspirations including Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire and Miranda Lambert, the track is a high-energy tune about her small town. Lemmings co-wrote the song with Neal Coty and Ash Bowers.

“Lakelin is the real deal – not only as a singer but as a country songwriter,” says BSB Founder Benny Brown. “It’s not often you find a teenage artist who’s not only ready to be signed, but who’s still able to sing honest songs that girls and young women can relate to.”

“Beyond her undeniable talent as a singer-songwriter, Lakelin knows exactly who she is as an artist—unapologetically country and completely herself,” adds BSB executive Ash Bowers. “She’s not just chasing a dream and she’s not chasing trends; I’m confident we are about to see a career with purpose and longevity, built one song at a time.”

“I’m so excited to release ‘American Dreamin’’,” shares Lemmings. “One of my dreams came true when I signed with Stone Country Records. I want me and my music to be a light in this world and industry – and inspire others to be proud of who they are and where they came from. And I think Benny, Ash and everyone at Stone Country Records are the right people to help me do that.”

Bowers will also represent Lemmings through Brown Sellers Brown Management.

Waylon Jennings Birthday Celebration To Be Held At Chief’s

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On Saturday (June 14), Waymore’s Outlaws is set to host a birthday celebration, “Runnin’ With Ol’ Waylon,” honoring Waylon Jennings for what would have been his 88th birthday. The event begins at 8 p.m. at Chief’s On Broadway and tickets are available here.

“Keeping Waylon’s spirit alive is important to us, the fans he made over decades of hits and to a new generation of fans,” says Carter Robertson, who sang backup for Jennings on the road and in the studio. “This show is like a live documentary, with Waylon’s voice introducing songs, and former band members speaking, and then you have us on stage who actually recorded the hits and lived the stories.”

In addition to Robertson, the band consists of Jennings’ bass player Jerry “Jigger” Bridges, keyboard player Barny Robertson, drummer Jeff Hale and steel guitarist Fred Newell, who collectively performed on the recordings of many of Jennings’ hit songs, and lead vocalist and guitarist Tommy Townsend.

Anthem Music Publishing Acquires Song Catalog From Marty Robbins

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Marty Robbins

Anthem Music Publishing has acquired a catalog of songs from legendary country and western singer-songwriter Marty Robbins.

Among the standout titles is “Big Iron,” Robbins’ 1960 classic that reached No. 5 on the U.S. Country chart and peaked at No. 26 on the Billboard Hot 100, and was introduced to a new generation of fans with its feature in the 2010 video game Fallout: New Vegas.

Also included is the groundbreaking hit “El Paso,” released by Columbia Records in 1959, which topped both the Billboard Hot 100 and U.S. Country charts. The song earned Robbins the 1961 Grammy Award for Best Country & Western Recording and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998. “My Woman, My Woman, My Wife,” a deeply personal ballad that reached No. 1 on the U.S. Country chart, is also included. The track earned Robbins his second Grammy Award for Best Country & Western Recording in 1970.

“Marty Robbins was a towering figure in American music – an artist whose storytelling transcended genre and era. His songs are woven into the fabric of country and western music heritage, and continue to influence artists and resonate with fans to this day,” says Jason Klein, CEO of Anthem Music Group.

“We’re honored to see Marty’s music find a new home with Anthem Music Publishing. His songs have stood the test of time, captivating generations with their vivid storytelling and emotional depth. We’re confident that Anthem will not only preserve Marty’s legacy, but elevate it—introducing his work to new audiences while honoring the timeless spirit of the originals,” states the Marty Robbins Estate. “Marty’s music has always belonged to the people, and we believe Anthem shares that same dedication to keeping it alive for generations to come.”

BMI President & CEO Mike O’Neill’s Contract Extended Through 2029

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Mike O’Neill

The BMI Board of Directors have extended President & CEO Mike O’Neill‘s contract through Dec. 31, 2029.

“Under Mike O’Neill’s leadership, BMI has grown into the most successful performing rights organization in the business,” says Pete Masucci, Managing Director, New Mountain Capital and Chair of the BMI Board. “With Mike’s ongoing guidance, BMI will continue to deliver on its commitment to modernize its infrastructure, invest in new technology and services and grow the value of its songwriters, composers and publishers’ music. Our decision to grant this extension demonstrates the confidence we have in Mike and the BMI team as they continue to innovate on behalf of the music creators they represent and ensure their ability to thrive in a changing industry.”

A 30 year veteran of BMI, O’Neill has also spent time on the company’s creative team, as well as Domestic Licensing and revenue generation before being named CEO in September 2013. Prior to joining BMI, he served as Director, Group and National Accounts for CBS-TV Network. He also held the roles of Vice President, Media Licensing and Administration and Senior Vice President, Sales Administration, Licensing and Repertoire during his time at CBS-TV network.

Over the past year, O’Neill has lead a slew of programs that back BMI’s mission to protect and grow the value of its roster’s music. The initiatives include increasing distributions for BMI songwriters, composers and publishers by 13%, expanding staff to support the company’s service upgrades, and investing in BMI’s technology to improve its product development and services.

Under O’Neill, BMI has also launched new online dashboards that provide songwriters and composers with insight and transparency into their royalty payments, created a new call center for customer service and collaborated with Music Nation to establish a licensing infrastructure in the UAE. O’Neill also assisted in the hiring of three executives for the roles of Chief Financial Officer, Chief Technology Officer and the newly created role of Chief Transformation Officer.

“I have never been more optimistic about the future of BMI, and there are only greater things ahead,” adds O’Neill. “BMI’s mission to drive value for our affiliates, increase our distributions and ensure the long-term success of our family of songwriters, composers and publishers continues at full speed. I am delighted the BMI Board and NMC have the confidence in me and the incredible BMI team as we continue to work on behalf of our affiliates and licensing partners, invest in our company and position BMI for continued growth.”