Everything Music. Everything News. Everything live.

Nominations Revealed for 2025 Americana Awards

Billy Strings 2025 MusiCares Persons of the Year Gala honoring the Grateful Dead, Los Angeles, California, USA - 31 Jan 2025
Photo by Rob Latour/Shutterstock (15125797em)

The Americana Honors & Awards continue to celebrate the rich tapestry of roots music with their 2025 nominations, which have been announced amidst great anticipation. This yearly event, organized by the Americana Music Association, recognizes outstanding albums, songs, and artists in the Americana genre. The awards ceremony will take place at the iconic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on September 10, as part of the AmericanaFest, which runs from September 9 to 13, marking its 25th year. The festival has become a cornerstone for Americana music, drawing attention to the unique blend of folk, country, rock, and blues that defines the genre.

This year, Charley Crockett, MJ Lenderman, and the duo Gillian Welch & David Rawlings lead the nominations, underlining their influence in the genre. Charley Crockett's album *Lonesome Drifter*, co-produced with Shooter Jennings, is among the nominees for Album of the Year alongside Jason Isbell's *Foxes in the Snow*, MJ Lenderman's *Manning Fireworks*, and Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats' *South of Here*. The Album of the Year category showcases the diversity within Americana music, highlighting both emerging and established artists who contribute to the genre's continually evolving soundscape.

In the Artist of the Year category, Charley Crockett stands as a significant contender, a testament to his consistent impact in Americana music over the years. He is joined by Sierra Ferrell, Joy Oladokun, Billy Strings, and Waxahatchee—each representing different facets of the Americana umbrella with their distinctive music styles. The inclusion of artists like Sierra Ferrell and Joy Oladokun reflects the genre's embrace of both traditional and contemporary influences, positioning Americana music as a space for artistic innovation and cross-genre collaboration.

The Duo/Group of the Year nominations further illustrate the collaborative spirit at the heart of Americana. Notable nominees include Julien Baker & TORRES, Dawes, Larkin Poe, and the celebrated pairing of Gillian Welch & David Rawlings. This category underscores the importance of musical partnerships in creating compelling and resonant narratives within the genre.

Emerging Act of the Year is always a highlight as it predicts future trends in Americana music. This year, MJ Lenderman leads a promising pack of new artists, which includes Noeline Hofmann, Medium Build, Maggie Rose, and Jesse Welles. The showcase of these new talents assures the genre's growth and dynamism, offering fresh perspectives to audiences worldwide.

Instrumentalist of the Year seeks to honor individual talent within the industry, with nominees such as Fred Eltringham, Alex Hargreaves, Megan Jane, Kaitlyn Raitz, and Seth Taylor. Each nominee contributes unique skills to the roots music scene, propelling the industry's standards of musicianship to new heights.

The Song of the Year category recognizes profoundly impactful works, with nominations for Maggie Antone's “Johnny Moonshine,” the group I’m With Her's “Ancient Light,” MJ Lenderman's “Wristwatch,” JD McPherson's “Sunshine Getaway,” and Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats' “Heartless.” These songs exemplify storytelling and musical innovation, capturing the essence of Americana music's narrative tradition and emotional depth.

The Americana Awards not only highlight contemporary achievements but also honor legacies through Lifetime Achievement Awards and the “Legacy of Americana” Award, reflecting on the genre's past while looking forward to its future. This year's festivities promise to be an extraordinary celebration of Americana music, drawing fans and musicians to Nashville, a city steeped in musical history.

As preparations for the 2025 awards continue, anticipation builds among fans and artists alike. With its rich diversity, this year's nominations not only celebrate the genre's roots but also its ongoing evolution, ensuring Americana music's continued relevance and resonance.

Key Takeaways

Related Stories

MAX WEINBERG ( Drums) and BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN and the E Street Band perform onstage during the opening night of The Land of Hope and Dreams Tour at Co-op Live Arena on May 14, 2025, in Manchester, England. The 2025 tour is SPRINGSTEEN's first major European run since 2023 and features classic hits alongside material from his recent albums. The show took place at the UK's newest and largest indoor arena. Bruce Springsteen Opens The Land Of Hope And Dreams Tour In Manchester, United Kingdom - 14 May 2025

Bruce Springsteen Stuns NYFF With Acoustic “Land of Hope and Dreams”

Bruce Springsteen made a surprise appearance at the 63rd New York Film Festival in New York City on September 28,…

REO Speedwagon Reunites: Rock Legends Come Together Once More

In late September 2025, fans got a shock — and a thrill — when REO Speedwagon reunited onstage for the…

Paul McCartney Surprises by Playing “Help!” in Full After Six Decades

When Sir Paul McCartney opened his 2025 U.S. tour in Santa Barbara with “Help!”, it marked a milestone moment: the…

Bad Bunny to take the stage at Super Bowl Halftime Show

When the NFL tapped Bad Bunny as the headliner for the Super Bowl LX Halftime Show, it wasn’t just another…

Rock Alert: Ace Frehley Hospitalized After Studio Fall

Legendary guitarist Ace Frehley, best known as a founding member of KISS, was recently hospitalized following a fall sustained in…

Judas Priest & Ozzy Osbourne: Hear two legends collaborate on “War Pigs” on AXS.tv

Hear Judas Priest and Ozzy Osbourne sing “War Pigs” Few events in heavy metal history resonate as strongly as the…

Sammy Hagar’s new supergroup with Chad Kroeger and Tommy Lee: What we know.

Sammy Hagar just teased a new all-star collaboration with Tommy Lee and Chad Kroeger. Charlie Benante says he cut at…

The Cars’ Heartbeat City Gets Luxuriously Expanded for 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition

What’s New in the Re-Release On October 31, 2025, Rhino Records will drop the 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of Heartbeat…

Elton John gives his house keys to Lola Young after losing bet

The Headline, The Hook, The House Keys When a legend publicly bets on a newcomer, the cosign alone is news.…