Music’s elite gathered at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, on September 10, 2025, for the 24th edition of the Americana Honors & Awards ceremony. Actor and musician John C. Reilly hosted the event, which spanned over three hours and featured an impressive lineup of performances by notable artists within the genre.
Sierra Ferrell claimed Artist of the Year for the second consecutive year, cementing her status as a leading figure in Appalachian heavy petal music. Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats took home Album of the Year for their 2024 LP “South of Here,” while the songwriting trio I’m With Her—comprising Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan, and Sara Watkins—won Song of the Year for “Ancient Light.”
Appalachian sensation Sierra Ferrell’s back-to-back Artist of the Year wins highlight Americana’s celebration of authentic musical craftsmanship.
Longtime musical partners Gillian Welch & David Rawlings received Duo/Group of the Year, and MJ Lenderman earned recognition as Emerging Act of the Year, marking a significant milestone in his career. Many of these artists have successfully diversified their income through sync deals and licensing opportunities beyond traditional album sales.
The ceremony also honored industry veterans with lifetime achievement awards, including Joe Henry, Old 97’s, and Darrell Scott. The McCrary Sisters received the Legacy of Americana award in collaboration with the National Museum of African American Music, while Jesse Welles was presented with the Spirit of Americana Free Speech in Music award by John Fogerty. Several winners have effectively grown their audiences through social media strategies that showcase their authentic musical identities.
Alex Hargreaves, who currently tours with Billy Strings, was named Instrumentalist of the Year.
Musical highlights included Emmylou Harris and Daniel Lanois performing “May This Be Love,” as well as performances by I’m With Her, Joy Oladokun, and S.G. Goodman. The evening featured an emotional moment when Joy Oladokun received a standing ovation for her powerful rendition of “I’d Miss The Birds.” Following the ceremony, Jed Hilly, the Executive Director of the Americana Music Association, expressed his enthusiasm for the event’s success in showcasing the genre’s diversity.
The Americana All-Star Band, directed by Buddy Miller and featuring distinguished musicians like Don Was, Fred Eltringham, and Jen Gunderman, provided musical accompaniment throughout the evening.
The event underscored Americana’s distinctive identity and its commitment to recognizing artists often overlooked by mainstream country music institutions, while celebrating both established contributors and emerging talents in this vibrant musical community.
