NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Sept. 17, 2026) — The Americana Music Association celebrated distinguished members of its community on Sept. 16, 2026, revealing the winners of the 25th Annual Americana Honors & Awards at the historic Ryman Auditorium. A world-class group of musical innovators garnered coveted awards, including Molly Tuttle (Artist of the Year), Tyler Childers (Album of the Year), Brandi Carlile (Song of the Year), Gillian Welch & David Rawlings (Duo/Group of the Year), Ken Pomeroy (Emerging Act of the Year) and Mandy Fer (Instrumentalist of the Year).
Molly Tuttle was crowned as the 2026 Americana Artist of the Year for the first time and took home the ceremony's biggest award of the evening. Tyler Childers earned Album of the Year honors for his LP Snipe Hunter, produced by Rick Rubin and Nick Sanborn.
Americana stalwart Brandi Carlile was awarded Song of the Year for her latest album's title track "Returning to Myself," written by Carlile herself. Lifelong musical partners Gillian Welch & David Rawlings were also awarded as Duo/Group of the Year for the second consecutive year.
Following her breakout year and acclaimed 2025 LP Cruel Joke, Ken Pomeroy earned the trophy for Emerging Act of the Year. Electric guitarist and touring musician for Allison Russell, Mandy Fer, took home this year's Instrumentalist of the Year award.
Highlights from the evening include Bernie Taupin presenting Brandi Carlile with the Song of the Year award; a moving tribute to the late Todd Snider by Hayes Carll with Elizabeth Cook; and the finale ensemble delivering a special performance honoring the legacy of Raul Malo with "Dance the Night Away" by The Mavericks.
Buddy Miller — beloved Americana songwriter, musician, producer and Americana "MVP" recipient — returned as musical director for the Americana All-Star Band, featuring Larry Campbell, Fred Eltringham, Jen Gunderman, Jim Hoke, The McCrary Sisters, and Don Was.
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Robert Plant, and Dolly Parton all received Americana Lifetime Achievement honors, which were accompanied with powerful performances by The Heartbreakers reuniting featuring special guest Chris Stapleton; the triumphant trio of Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O'Donovan & Sara Watkins comprising I'm With Her teaming up with Brandi Carlile to deliver a moving tribute to Dolly Parton with "Coat of Many Colors"; and Robert Plant returning to the Ryman stage at the Americana Honors & Awards for the first time in 15 years as a 2026 Lifetime Achievement Honoree and performance of "Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down" and "Angel Dance."
A video recorded by Dolly Parton before her death in August 2026 was aired during the ceremony, as she accepted the honor. Video link HERE. (Video courtesy: THE DOLLY PARTON ESTATE)
Throughout the night, attendees were treated to additional performances by Boy Golden, Crowe Boys, Flatland Cavalry, Jesse Welles, Kashus Culpepper, Kathleen Edwards, Ken Pomeroy, Margo Price, Molly 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."
2026 Honors & Awards Winners:
Album of the Year: Snipe Hunter; Tyler Childers; Produced by Rick Rubin and Nick Sanborn
Artist of the Year: Molly Tuttle
Duo/Group of the Year: Gillian Welch & David Rawlings
Emerging Act of the Year: Ken Pomeroy
Song of the Year: "Returning to Myself," Brandi Carlile; Written by Brandi Carlile
Instrumentalist of the Year: Mandy Fer
The 25th Annual Americana Honors & Awards is the hallmark event of AMERICANAFEST week, which continues through this Saturday, September 19.
For more information on the Honors & Awards and AMERICANAFEST, please visit www.americanamusic.org.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - SEPTEMBER 16: (L-R) 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 by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Americana Music Association)
Robert Kinsler
