Americana Music Association
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Sept. 3, 2026) — The Americana Music Association has announced its performers for the 25th annual Americana Honors & Awards, taking place in Nashville on Sept. 16 at the famed Ryman Auditorium. Doors will open at 5:00 p.m. CT, and the show will begin at 6:30 p.m. CT.
The program will include performances by legends and the next generation of stars (view the nominees here). Robert Plant will return to the Ryman stage during the Honors & Awards ceremony 15 years after his 2011 Album of the Year for Band of Joy, with a special performance as a 2026 recipient of the Americana Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Additionally, the Americana Music Association will pay tribute to Dolly Parton as a Lifetime Achievement Honoree and for her impact on roots music—including country, folk, bluegrass, gospel, and popular music—as well as her storytelling, songwriting, and creative excellence, which embody the spirit of Americana. A special performance will be delivered honoring her life and legacy after her death in August 2026.
The 2026 Americana Honors & Awards will deliver performances from award-winning legends, rising stars, and longtime stalwarts, including Boy Golden, Brandi Carlile, Crowe Boys, Flatland Cavalry, I’m With Her, Jesse Welles, Kashus Culpepper, Kathleen Edwards, Ken Pomeroy, Margo Price, MollyTuttle, Mon Rovîa, and S.G. Goodman.
The Milk Carton Kids will return to host the show, with Americana stalwart, songwriter, musician and producer — Buddy Miller — again serving as musical director for the Americana All-Star Band, featuringDon Was, Larry Campbell, Fred Eltringham, Jen Gunderman, Jim Hoke, and The McCrary Sisters.
The 2026 Honors & Awards show will stream live via NPR’s YouTube channel and Americana Music Association’s Facebook page Wednesday, September 16 at 7:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. CT, while live audio simulcasts of the show will be available via SiriusXM’s Outlaw Country and on Nashville area terrestrial radio stations: WRLT (100.1 FM), WSM (650 AM) and WMOT (89.5 FM).
Additionally, a special edited version of the program will be broadcast in the Austin City Limits time slot, premiering on November 21.
For more than two decades, the prestigious ceremony has celebrated pioneering mainstays and trailblazing newcomers, while featuring unforgettable moments in musical history including Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash’s last live performance together, as well as offering show-stopping appearances by k.d. lang, Van Morrison, Mavis Staples, Bob Weir, Buddy Guy, George Strait, Don Henley, the late John Prine with Bonnie Raitt, Gregg Allman, The Lumineers, Mumford & Sons, Alabama Shakes, Emmylou Harris, Solomon Burke, Rosanne Cash, the late Dr. John with Dan Auerbach, Irma Thomas, Levon Helm, Robert Plant and many more.
The ceremony is the hallmark event for the 26th annual AMERICANAFEST, held across more than 40 venues throughout Nashville during the week of September 15-19.
Tickets to the Americana Honors & Awards are on sale now, here. For more information on the association or to purchase passes to 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 15-19, 2026.
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.
For more information, artist press photos or to request media credentials, please contact:
David Chamberlain | Americana Music Association | 615.386.6936 | david@americanamusic.org
Jackie Martinez Marushka | Marushka Media | 615.417.6500 | jackie@marushkamedia.com
Americana Music Association | 615.386.6936 | press@americanamusic.org