The 25th Annual Americana Honors & Awards brought together some of the biggest names in Americana, country, folk and roots music at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium on Wednesday, September 16, as part of AMERICANAFEST 2026.
Molly Tuttle took home Artist of the Year for the first time, while Tyler Childers earned Album of the Year for Snipe Hunter. Brandi Carlile received Song of the Year for “Returning to Myself,” and Gillian Welch & David Rawlings were named Duo/Group of the Year for the second consecutive year.
Dolly Parton was posthumously honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Emmylou Harris introduced a prerecorded acceptance video from Dolly, who reflected on her musical roots and thanked the Americana community for the recognition. Brandi Carlile and I’m With Her followed with a performance of “Coat of Many Colors” in her honor.
The ceremony concluded with an all-star tribute to the late Raul Malo, featuring a performance of The Mavericks’ “Dance the Night Away.”
Here is the complete list of winners from the 2026 Americana Honors & Awards.
2026 AMERICANA HONORS & AWARDS WINNERS
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Molly Tuttle
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Tyler Childers – Snipe Hunter
SONG OF THE YEAR
Brandi Carlile – “Returning to Myself”
DUO/GROUP OF THE YEAR
Gillian Welch & David Rawlings
EMERGING ACT OF THE YEAR
Ken Pomeroy
INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR
Mandy Fer
2026 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT HONOREES
Dolly Parton
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Robert Plant
The 25th Annual Americana Honors & Awards was held as part of AMERICANAFEST, which brought artists, industry professionals and music fans together in Nashville from September 15 through September 19.
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