Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, I’m With Her, MJ Lenderman, Nathaniel Rateliff, and Sierra Ferrell Crowned as Winners of the Americana Music Association’s 24th Annual Americana Honors & Awards

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Sept. 10, 2025) — The Americana Music Association celebrated distinguished members of its community tonight, revealing the winners of the 24th Annual Americana Honors & Awards at the historic Ryman Auditorium. A world-class group of musical innovators garnered coveted awards, including Sierra Ferrell (Artist of the Year), Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats (Album of the Year), I’m With Her (Song of the Year), Gillian Welch & David Rawlings (Duo/Group of the Year), MJ Lenderman (Emerging Act of the Year) and Alex Hargreaves (Instrumentalist of the Year).

Sierra Ferrell continued her reign as the Americana Artist of the Year with her second consecutive win with the ceremony’s biggest award of the evening. Brandi Carlile presented Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats with the Album of the Year honor for their LP South of Here.

The triumphant trio of Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan & Sara Watkins comprising I’m With Her was awarded with Song of the Year for “Ancient Light,” written by the three songwriters themselves. Lifelong musical partners Gillian Welch & David Rawlings were crowned as Duo/Group of the Year award.

After performing at the 2024 ceremony, and his breakout Manning Fireworks album, MJ Lenderman earned the nod for Emerging Act of the Year. Violinist virtuoso and current full-time touring member with Billy Strings, Alex Hargreaves, took home this year’s Instrumentalist of the Year honors.

Highlights from the evening include John C. Reilly hosting the momentous evening; John Fogerty presenting the Spirit of Americana Free Speech in Music award to Jesse Welles, and closing the show with three Creedence Clearwater Revival classics, “Up Around The Bend,” “Lookin’ Out My Back Door,” and “Proud Mary.”; and Emmylou Harris and Daniel Lanois reprising Harris’ landmark Wrecking Ball album with “May This Be Love.”

Buddy Miller — Americana stalwart, songwriter, musician, producer and Americana “MVP” recipient — returned as musical director for the Americana All-Star Band, featuring Don Was, The McCrary Sisters, Fred Eltringham, Jen Gunderman, Jim Hoke, and Larry Campbell.

Old 97’s, Joe Henry, and Darrell Scott all received Americana Lifetime Achievement honors, with each providing stirring performances and moving presentations by Rosanne Cash, Rodney Crowell and Hayes Carll, respectively. The McCrary Sisters were recognized with the Legacy of Americana award (in partnership with the National Museum of African American Music [NMAAM]), presented by NMAAM Board member and Producer Shannon Sanders.

Throughout the night, attendees were treated to performances by Dawes, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Emmylou Harris, I’m With Her, JD McPherson, John C. Reilly, Joy Oladokun, Maggie Antone, Maggie Rose, Margo Price, Medium Build, Nathaniel Rateliff, Noeline Hofmann and
Old 97’s.

“What a great night!” said Jed Hilly, Executive Director of the Americana Music Association and Foundation. “We saw the breadth of the Americana community and spirit. This legacy has stood strong for over two decades and will continue for many more to come.”

2025 Honors & Awards Winners:

Album of the Year: South of Here; Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats; Produced by Brad Cook

Artist of the Year: Sierra Ferrell

Duo/Group of the Year: Gillian Welch & David Rawlings

Emerging Act of the Year: MJ Lenderman

Song of the Year: “Ancient Light,” I’m With Her; Written by Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan & Sara Watkins

Instrumentalist of the Year: Alex Hargreaves

The 24th Annual Americana Honors & Awards is the hallmark event of AMERICANAFEST week, which continues through this Saturday, September 13.

For more information on the Honors & Awards and AMERICANAFEST, please visit www.americanamusic.org.

About AMERICANAFEST:
AMERICANAFEST brings together hundreds of showcasing artists, industry leaders and music fans throughout the most notable venues in Nashville, Tennessee. To complement the nightly official showcases curated by a festival committee, multiple special events during the day allow agencies, labels and other industry entities to highlight their roster. The destination event also offers a three-day educational conference with networking opportunities, numerous panels, and premium industry interaction. The annual Americana Honors & Awards ceremony at Ryman Auditorium recognizes the groundbreaking figures of Americana music and celebrates the music achievements of the past year. AMERICANAFEST serves as a fundraiser supporting the initiatives of the Americana Music Association and its Foundation and will take place in Nashville from September 9-13, 2025.

About the Americana Music Association:
The Americana Music Association is a professional not-for-profit trade organization whose mission is to advocate for the authentic voice of American roots music around the world. The Association produces events throughout the year, including AMERICANAFEST and the Americana Honors & Awards program.

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