Americana Honors & Awards Hand Wins to Nathaniel Rateliff, Sierra Ferrell, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, MJ Lenderman and I’m With Her

Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium once again hosted the 24th annual Americana Music Honors & Awards, celebrating standout achievements in the genre. Sierra Ferrell took home Artist of the Year for the second consecutive time, while Gillian Welch and David Rawlings were honored as Duo/Group of the Year. Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats won Album of the Year for "South of Here," and the reunited trio I’m With Her earned Song of the Year for "Ancient Light," a track they co-wrote together.

MJ Lenderman, best known as the guitarist for the band Wednesday, was recognized as Emerging Artist of the Year thanks to his widely praised solo album "Manning Fireworks," noted for its candid storytelling and immersive production. Alex Hargreaves, the violinist in Billy Strings' touring band, received the Instrumentalist of the Year award. These winners were selected by the Americana Music Association’s membership, underscoring the awards’ role in reflecting both critical and industry recognition within the roots music community.

Lifetime achievement honors provided some of the evening’s most poignant moments. The Old 97’s, Joe Henry, and Darrell Scott were all celebrated for their lasting impact on the genre. The McCrary Sisters—a gospel-rooted family act renowned for their vocal harmonies and advocacy work—were presented with the Legacy of Americana Award, a distinction shared with the National Museum of African American Music. In a highlight of the night, John Fogerty awarded the Spirit of Americana Free Speech in Music prize to Jesse Welles, who had joined him on stage the previous evening for a performance of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s "Who’ll Stop the Rain."

Actor and roots music enthusiast John C. Reilly hosted the three-and-a-half-hour ceremony for the first time, which featured numerous memorable performances. Reilly also joined Margo Price for a duet of "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain." The evening kicked off with S.G. Goodman paying tribute to the 50th anniversary of Neil Young’s "Zuma," and concluded with Emmylou Harris and Daniel Lanois revisiting their influential 1995 album "Wrecking Ball," followed by a three-song set from John Fogerty. Other standout moments included appearances by Darrell Scott, the McCrary Sisters, Maggie Rose, and a surprise collaboration between Nathaniel Rateliff and Welch & Rawlings.

The event was streamed live on NPR Music’s YouTube channel and SiriusXM, serving as a centerpiece of the broader AmericanaFest conference, which continues through Saturday in Nashville. An edited broadcast will air later on PBS’s "Austin City Limits." As one longtime attendee noted, “This year’s awards honored both tradition and forward-thinking artists, reinforcing Americana’s dual role as guardian of musical heritage and incubator of new sounds.”