Americana Music Honors & Awards

Marquee event for the Americana Music Association From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Americana Music Honors & Awards is the marquee event for the Americana Music Association. Beginning in 2002, the Americana Music Association honors distinguished members of the music community. Six member-voted awards and several Lifetime Achievement Awards are handed out while over 2000 artists, music-loving fans and entertainment industry executives look on.

Awarded forOutstanding achievements in the music industry
CountryUnited States
Presented byAmericana Music Association
Hosted byJim Lauderdale (2002–2017)
Milk Carton Kids (2018-19, 2023-24)
John C. Reilly (2025)
Quick facts Awarded for, Country ...
Americana Honors & Awards
Current: 2025 Americana Music Honors & Awards
Awarded forOutstanding achievements in the music industry
CountryUnited States
Presented byAmericana Music Association
Hosted byJim Lauderdale (2002–2017)
Milk Carton Kids (2018-19, 2023-24)
John C. Reilly (2025)
First award2002
Websiteamericanamusic.org
Television/radio coverage
NetworkPBS (2011–present)
AXS TV (2012–present)
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The Honors & Awards have featured a variety of musical events, including Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash's last live performance together.[1] Artists such as The Carolina Chocolate Drops, Robert Plant & His Band of Joy, Steve Earle & Allison Moorer, Rosanne Cash and John Fogerty have also performed for the event, and special appearances by artists like Kris Kristofferson (2003), Loretta Lynn (2004/2014), Billy Bob Thornton (2005), Bonnie Raitt (2012/2016), Dwight Yoakam (2016) and George Strait (2016) demonstrate the prestige of the genre and awards show.

The Honors & Awards show was first broadcast on national television in 2005. Also in 2005, SiriusXM, BBC2, and Voice of America began broadcasting the show on radio. PBS began airing an abbreviated version during Austin City Limits in 2011.

The Americana Honors & Awards Show returned to the historic Ryman Auditorium on September 12, 2012. It was once again hosted by Jim Lauderdale, while the All Star Band was led by Buddy Miller. The 2012 Honors & Awards show was aired live on AXS TV[2] and later aired on Austin City Limits on PBS[3] and replayed on AXS TV. Lauderdale stepped down from hosting duties after the 2017 ceremony and the 2018–19 Honors & Awards were hosted by The Milk Carton Kids.[4] The show did not include a host in 2021.

Nomination process

The eligibility period for the Americana Music Association's “Of The Year” categories typically runs from April 1 through March 31 of the following year. Only active members of the Americana Music Association may participate in the nomination and election process. The winners are announced at the annual Americana Music Honors & Awards show.[5]

Below are the Criteria for each of the following categories:[5]

  • Album of the Year – Americana albums released during the eligibility period.
  • Song of the Year – Americana songs released from Albums released during the eligibility period.
  • Artist of the Year – An Artist who has had an exemplary year based on overall recognition and activity whether through album, song, radio airplay, publicity, touring, or other criteria within the eligibility period.
  • Emerging Act of the Year – Solo artist, duo, or group having an exemplary year and first blush of national public awareness through overall recognition and activity, whether through album, song, radio airplay, sales, publicity, touring, or other criteria during eligibility period who has not previously been nominated in any category.
  • Duo/Group of the Year – Duo/Group – have had an exemplary year based on overall recognition and activity, whether through album, song, radio airplay, publicity, touring, or other criteria within the eligibility period.
  • Instrumentalist of the Year : An award given to a collaborative musician having an exemplary year within the eligibility period based on overall recognition and activity, whether through work on an album, song, touring, or other criteria.

Competitive awards

All awards history information is also available on the Americana Music Association's website.[6]

Album of the Year

More information Year, Recipient ...
Year Recipient Work Nominees Ref.
2025 Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats; produced by Brad Cook South of Here
2024 Sierra Ferrell; produced by Eddie Spear & Gary Paczosa Trail of Flowers
2023 Tyler Childers Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven?
2022 Allison Russell, produced by Dan Knobler Outside Child [7]
2021 Sturgill Simpson, Produced by David Ferguson & Sturgill Simpson Cuttin’ Grass - Vol. 1 (Butcher Shoppe Sessions) [8]
2020 The Highwomen, Produced by Dave Cobb The Highwomen [9]
2019 John Prine, Produced by Dave Cobb The Tree of Forgiveness [10]
2018 Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Produced by Dave Cobb The Nashville Sound [11]
2017 Sturgill Simpson, Produced by Sturgill Simpson A Sailor's Guide To Earth [12]
2016 Jason Isbell, Produced by Dave Cobb Something More Than Free [13]
2015 Lucinda Williams, Produced by Lucinda Williams, Tom Overby, and Greg Leisz Down Where The Spirit Meets The Bone [14]
2014 Jason Isbell, Produced by Dave Cobb Southeastern [15]
2013 Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell, Produced by Brian Ahern Old Yellow Moon [16]
2012 Various Artists, Produced by Tamara Saviano This One's For Him: A Tribute to Guy Clark [17]
2011 Robert Plant, Produced by Robert Plant and Buddy Miller Band of Joy [18]
2010 Rosanne Cash, Produced by John Leventhal The List [19]
2009 Buddy & Julie Miller, Produced by Buddy & Julie Miller Written In Chalk [20]
2008 Alison Krauss & Robert Plant, Produced by T Bone Burnett Raising Sand [21]
2007 Patty Griffin, Produced by Griffin McCarthy and Mike McCarthy Children Running Through [22]
2006 James McMurtry, Produced by James McMurtry Childish Things [23]
2005 Buddy Miller, Produced by Buddy Miller Universal United House of Prayer [24]
2004 Loretta Lynn, Produced by Jack White Van Lear Rose [25]
2003 Johnny Cash, Produced by Rick Rubin American IV: The Man Comes Around [26]
2002 Buddy & Julie Miller, Produced by Buddy & Julie Miller Buddy & Julie Miller [27]
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Song of the Year

More information Year, Recipients ...
Year Recipients Work Nominees Ref
2022 Brandi Carlile, written by Brandi Carlile, Dave Cobb, Phil Hanseroth and Tim Hanseroth "Right on Time" [7]
2021 John Prine, written by Pat McLaughlin and John Prine "I Remember Everything" [8]
2020 The Highwomen, written by Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby, and Lori McKenna "Crowded Table" [9]
2019 John Prine, written by Pat McLaughlin and John Prine "Summer's End" [10]
2018 Jason Isbell, written by Jason Isbell "If We Were Vampires" [11]
2017 Rodney Crowell, written by Rodney Crowell "It Ain't Over Yet" [12]
2016 Jason Isbell, written by Jason Isbell "24 Frames" [13]
2015 Sturgill Simpson, written by Sturgill Simpson "Turtles All The Way Down" [14]
2014 Jason Isbell, written by Jason Isbell "Cover Me Up" [15]
2013 Shovels & Rope, written by Shovels & Rope "Birmingham" [16]
2012 Jason Isbell, written by Jason Isbell “Alabama Pines” [17]
2011 Justin Townes Earle, written by Justin Townes Earle “Harlem River Blues” [18]
2010 Ryan Bingham, written by Ryan Bingham and T-Bone Burnett "The Weary Kind" [19]
2009 Julie Miller, written by Julie Miller "Chalk" [20]
2008 Hayes Carll, written by Brian Keane and Hayes Carll "She Left Me for Jesus" [21]
2007 Darrell Scott, written by Darrell Scott "Hank Williams' Ghost" [22]
2006 James McMurtry, written by James McMurtry "We Can't Make It Here" [23]
2005 Mark Heard, written by Mark Heard "Worry Too Much" [24]
2004 Rodney Crowell, written by Rodney Crowell "Fate's Right Hand" [25]
2003 Johnny Cash, written by Trent Reznor "Hurt" [26]
2002 Jim Lauderdale, written by Jim Lauderdale "She's Looking At Me" [27]
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Artist of the Year

More information Year, Recipient ...
Year Recipient Ref.
2022 Billy Strings [7]
2021 Brandi Carlile [8]
2020 John Prine [9]
2019 Brandi Carlile [10]
2018 John Prine [11]
2017 John Prine [12]
2016 Chris Stapleton [13]
2015 Sturgill Simpson [14]
2014 Jason Isbell [15]
2013 Dwight Yoakam [16]
2012 Gillian Welch [17]
2011 Buddy Miller [18]
2010 Ryan Bingham [19]
2009 Buddy Miller [20]
2008 Levon Helm [21]
2007 Patty Griffin [22]
2006 Neil Young [23]
2005 John Prine [24]
2004 Loretta Lynn [25]
2003 Johnny Cash [26]
2002 Jim Lauderdale [27]
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Duo/Group of the Year

More information Year, Duo/Group ...
Year Duo/Group Ref.
2022 The War and Treaty [7]
2021 Black Pumas [8]
2020 The Highwomen [9]
2019 I'm with Her [10]
2018 Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit [11]
2017 Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives [12]
2016 Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell [13]
2015 The Mavericks [14]
2014 The Milk Carton Kids [15]
2013 Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell [16]
2012 The Civil Wars [17]
2011 The Avett Brothers [18]
2010 The Avett Brothers [19]
2009 Buddy & Julie Miller [20]
2008 Alison Krauss & Robert Plant [21]
2007 The Avett Brothers [22]
2006 Drive-By Truckers (first year) [23]
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Instrumentalist of the Year

More information Year, Recipient ...
Year Recipient Ref.
2022 Larissa Maestro (cello) [7]
2021 Kristin Weber (fiddle) [8]
2020 Brittany Haas (fiddle) [9]
2019 Chris Eldridge (guitar) [10]
2018 Molly Tuttle (guitar) [11]
2017 Charlie Sexton (guitar) [12]
2016 Sara Watkins (fiddle) [13]
2015 John Leventhal (guitar) [14]
2014 Buddy Miller (guitar) [15]
2013 Larry Campbell (guitar) [16]
2012 Dave Rawlings (multiple instruments) [17]
2011 Buddy Miller (guitar) [18]
2010 Buddy Miller (guitar) [19]
2009 Gurf Morlix (multiple instruments) [20]
2008 Buddy Miller (guitar) [21]
2007 Buddy Miller (guitar) [22]
2006 Kenny Vaughan (guitar) [23]
2005 Sonny Landreth (slide guitar) [24]
2004 Will Kimbrough (guitar) [25]
2003 Jerry Douglas (dobro) [26]
2002 Jerry Douglas (dobro) [27]
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Emerging Act of the Year

More information Year, Recipient ...
Year Recipient Ref.
2023 S.G. Goodman [28]
2022 Sierra Ferrell [7]
2021 Charley Crockett [8]
2020 Black Pumas [9]
2019 The War and Treaty [10]
2018 Tyler Childers [11]
2017 Amanda Shires [12]
2016 Margo Price [13]
2015 Shakey Graves [14]
2014 Sturgill Simpson [15]
2013 Shovels & Rope [16]
2012 Alabama Shakes [17]
2011 Mumford & Sons [18]
2010 Hayes Carll [19]
2009 Justin Townes Earle [20]
2008 Mike Farris [21]
2007 The Avett Brothers [22]
2006 The Greencards [23]
2005 Mary Gauthier [24]
2004 Mindy Smith (first year) [25]
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Lifetime Achievement Awards

Americana Trailblazer Award

More information Year, Recipient ...
Year Recipient Ref.
2021 The Mavericks [8]
2019 Maria Muldaur [10]
2018 K.d. lang [11]
2017 Iris DeMent [12]
2016 Shawn Colvin [13]
2015 Don Henley [14]
2013 Old Crow Medicine Show [16]
2011 Bob Harris [18]
2008 Nanci Griffith [21]
2007 Lyle Lovett (first year) [22]
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First Amendment Center and Americana Music Association "Spirit of Americana" Free Speech Award/Inspiration Award

More information Year, Recipient ...
Year Recipient Ref.
2022 Indigo Girls [7]
2021 Carla Thomas [8]
2019 Mavis Staples [10]
2018 Rosanne Cash [11]
2017 Graham Nash [12]
2016 Billy Bragg [13]
2015 Buffy Sainte-Marie [14]
2014 Jackson Browne [15]
2013 Stephen Stills [16]
2010 Mary Chapin Carpenter [19]
2008 Joan Baez [21]
2007 Mavis Staples [22]
2006 Charlie Daniels [23]
2005 Judy Collins [24]
2004 Steve Earle [25]
2003 Kris Kristofferson [26]
2002 Johnny Cash [27]
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Jack Emerson Lifetime Achievement Award for Executive

More information Year, Recipient ...
Year Recipient Ref.
2022 Al Bell [7]
2018 The Olivia Records Founders: Judy Dlugacz and Cris Williamson [11]
2017 The HighTone Founders: Larry Sloven and Bruce Bromberg [12]
2013 Chris Strachwitz [16]
2012 Dennis Lord [17]
2011 Rick Hall [18]
2010 Luke Lewis [19]
2009 Ken Levitan [20]
2008 Terry Lickona [21]
2007 Mary Martin [22]
2006 Barry Poss [23]
2005 The Rounder Founders: Ken Irwin, Marian Leighton, Bill Nowlin [24]
2004 Jack Emerson [25]
2003 Sam Phillips [26]
2002 T-Bone Burnett [27]
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Lifetime Achievement Award for Instrumentalist

More information Year, Recipient ...
Year Recipient Ref.
2018 Buddy Guy (guitar) [11]
2017 Hi Rhythm (band) [12]
2015 Ricky Skaggs (mandolin) [14]
2014 Flaco Jimenez (accordion) [15]
2013 Duane Eddy (guitar) [16]
2012 Booker T. Jones (piano) [17]
2011 Jerry Douglas (dobro) [18]
2010 Greg Leisz (multiple instruments) [19]
2009 Sam Bush (mandolin) [20]
2008 Larry Campbell (multiple string instruments) [21]
2007 Ry Cooder (slide guitar) [22]
2006 Kenny Vaughan (guitar) [23]
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Lifetime Achievement Award for Performance

More information Year, Recipient ...
Year Recipient Ref.
2022 Chris Isaak [7]
2021 Keb' Mo' [8]
2019 Delbert McClinton [10]
2018 Irma Thomas [11]
2017 Robert Cray [12]
2016 Bob Weir [13]
2015 Los Lobos [14]
2014 Taj Mahal [15]
2013 Dr. John [16]
2012 Bonnie Raitt [17]
2011 Gregg Allman [18]
2010 Wanda Jackson [19]
2009 Asleep at the Wheel [20]
2008 Jason & the Scorchers [21]
2007 Joe Ely [22]
2006 Alejandro Escovedo [23]
2005 Marty Stuart [24]
2004 Chris Hillman [25]
2003 Levon Helm [26]
2002 Emmylou Harris [27]
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Lifetime Achievement Award for Producer/Engineer

More information Year, Recipient ...
Year Recipient Ref.
2021 Trina Shoemaker [8]
2010 Brian Ahern [19]
2009 Jim Rooney [20]
2008 Tony Brown [21]
2007 Jim Dickinson [22]
2006 Allen Toussaint (first year) [23]
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Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting

More information Year, Recipient ...
Year Recipient Ref.
2019 Elvis Costello [10]
2017 Van Morrison [12]
2016 William Bell [13]
2015 Gillian Welch and David Rawlings [14]
2014 Loretta Lynn [15]
2013 Robert Hunter [16]
2012 Richard Thompson [17]
2011 Lucinda Williams [18]
2010 John Mellencamp [19]
2009 John Fogerty [20]
2008 John Hiatt [21]
2007 Willie Nelson [22]
2006 Rodney Crowell [23]
2005 Guy Clark [24]
2004 Cowboy Jack Clement [25]
2003 John Prine [26]
2002 Billy Joe Shaver [27]
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National Museum of African American Music/Americana Music Association Legacy of Americana Award

More information Year, Recipient ...
Year Recipient Ref.
2022 The Fairfield Four [7]
2021 Fisk Jubilee Singers [8]
2019 Rhiannon Giddens [10]
2019 Frank Johnson [10]
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President's Award

More information Year, Recipient ...
Year Recipient Ref.
2022 Don Williams [7]
2019 Felice and Boudleaux Bryant [10]
2016 Woody Guthrie [13]
2015 B.B. King [14]
2014 Jimmie Rodgers [15]
2013 Hank Williams [16]
2009 Lowell George [20]
2008 Jerry Garcia [21]
2007 Townes Van Zandt [22]
2006 Mickey Newbury [23]
2005 John Hartford [24]
2004 Carter Family [25]
2003 Gram Parsons [26]
2002 Doug Sahm [27]
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WagonMaster/Lifetime Achievement Award

More information Year, Recipient ...
Year Recipient Ref.
2022 Buddy Miller [7]
2016 Jim Lauderdale [13]
2007 Porter Wagoner [22]
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UK Americana Music Association Awards

The inaugural UK AMA awards were presented by the UK Americana Music Association were held at St John at Hackney in London on 3 February 2016 and was hosted by Bob Harris and Ethan Johns.[30] The second annual UK Americana awards were held on 2 February 2017 and the third awards were held on 1 February 2018.[31] The fifth awards were held on 30 January 2020.[32] The 2021 ceremony was held virtually on 29 January due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[33] The 2022 ceremony was held at the Hackney Empire and was hosted by Harris and Baylen Leonard on 26 January 2023.[34]

UK Album of the Year

International Album of the Year

UK Artist of the Year

International Artist of the Year

UK Song of the Year

  • 2023 - “Car Crash” by Hannah White
  • 2022 – "Willing" by Lady Nade
  • 2021 – "I Don't Wanna Lie" by Yola, Dan Auerbach and Bobby Wood
  • 2020 – "Little Piece of Heaven" by Elles Bailey, Bobby Wood and Dan Auerbach
  • 2019 – "Southern Wind" by Dean Owens
  • 2018 – "Home" by Yola Carter
  • 2017 – "The 4:19" by Al Lewis and Alva Leigh (Lewis & Leigh)
  • 2016 – "Clear Water" by Danny George Wilson and Paul Lush (Danny and the Champions of the World)

International Song of the Year

Bob Harris Emerging Artist of the Year

  • 2023 – The Hanging Stars
  • 2022 – Lauren Housley
  • 2021 – Robbie Cavanaugh and Demi Marriner
  • 2020 – Ferris & Sylvester
  • 2019 – Curse of Lono
  • 2018 – The Wandering Hearts
  • 2017 – Wildwood Kin[35]
  • 2016 – Robert Vincent[36]

UK Instrumentalist of the Year

  • 2023 – Holly Carter (steel guitar)
  • 2022 – Michelle Stodart (guitar)
  • 2021 – Anna Corcoran (piano)
  • 2020 – Siân Monaghan (drums)
  • 2019 – CJ Hillman (multiple instruments)
  • 2018 – Thomas Collison (multiple instruments)
  • 2017 – CJ Hillman (multiple instruments)
  • 2016 – B. J. Cole (steel guitar)

AMA Trailblazer

AMA Lifetime Achievement Award

Songwriters Legacy Award

Best Selling Americana Album

Australian Americana Music Association Honours

The inaugural annual Australian American Music Honours Night, a celebration of Australian roots music, was held on October 2, 2017. The ceremony, which was televised on the Country Music Channel in early 2018, featured performances from many of Australia's top roots performers alongside Valerie June and Old Crow Medicine Show who acted as "US Americana Ambassadors". The inaugural ceremony also featured the presentation of two honours.[38] The second event was held on October 11, 2018, and featured Margo Price and Joshua Hedley as Americana Ambassadors.[39]

Vanguard Award

See also

References

External links

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