AmericanaFest: Awards Show Honors Legends and Newcomers at Ryman Auditorium

This story provided by the Americana Music Association

Photos from City Winery’s Viewing Party by Chuck Whiting 

    NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Sept. 10, 2025) — The Americana Music Association celebrated distinguished members of its community on Wednesday night, 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.

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AmericanaFest: Tuesday Night at 3rd and Lindsley Brings Standing Ovation for the Isaacs

By Wil Comstock, MCAU Contributing Writer

Sept. 9 (Tuesday), 3rd & Lindsley

The Isaacs:

Rushing over to 3rd and Lindsley from the BMI Rooftop Party, we surprisingly grabbed a decent seat. Not that I stayed in my seat for long. Once the Isaacs hit the stage, I was on my feet up front near the stage. This group is comprised of matriarch Lily and her three children: Ben on upright bass, Sonya on mandolin, and Becky on guitar. The band is rounded out by the addition of Sonya’s son, Ben Bowan, on guitar. Lily’s parents, who were Polish Jewish Holocaust survivors, moved Lily to New York when she was 2 years old.    

Their tight bluegrass gospel harmonies brought a smile to everyone’s face. They shone on numbers like “Rocks,” Accentuate the Positive,” and Lauren Daigle’s “I Believe.” Ben was featured on a song he penned about the Bible that laid in the back of the drawer, always there when you need it. He’s a great writer. I hope to hear more from him. 

This family closed with an A cappella version of Chicago’s “You’re the Inspiration.” Just heavenly, and something you would expect from a family that has been harmonizing together all their lives.

(The Isaacs perform at 3rd and Lindsley)

 

Darrell Scott:

 

This guy has written songs for Sara Evans, Kathy Mattea, Brad Paisley, and Garth Brooks to name a few. This Kentucky-born, California-raised musician opened with “The Ballad of Martha White.” He is one heck of a blues guitarist. I’ve heard some of his folk ballads but was not aware of his virtuosity playing the blues. Damn! He even did a blues cover of “Folsom Prison Blues!”  

Picking up the acoustic, he asked us to sing along on the beautiful “Hallelujah.” This is the side of Darrell which I especially love. Singing “It’s the Whisky that Eases the Pain” and “Out in the Parking Lot” drew recognition and admiration from the packed house.  

He called his brother Don up to the stage to sing a ballad he wrote about one of the men who used to work for their father, “Uncle Lloyd.” A man who lost his family and treated the Scott boys like his own. Before his closing number, he called two more of his brothers on the stage, Dale and David Scott. The three of them harmonized on “You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive,” my personal favorite.

(Darrell Scott performs at 3rd and Lindsley)

 

Charles Wesley Godwin:

 

This West Virginia native had us in the palm of his hand with his first song, “Minor Imperfections.” His comforting straight-forward voice is convincing. This is someone you can trust, someone you’d like to have as a friend. He mentioned he first came to Nashville in 2013, catching a show at 3rd and Lindsley. The first time he played here was in 2021 when 129 people showed up. But when he played at this venue in 2022, it was sold out!  

He treated us to a new song he recorded the day before, the hymn-like “Hallelujah High.” I think he has another hit! Crowd favorites included “Hardwood Floors” and “Family Ties.”  Charles Wesley Godwin has arrived. If you haven’t heard him already, check him out.

(A great start to the festival! Check out our stories, posts and photos on Instagram and Facebook @MusicCityArts, as well as our blog at www.MusicCityArts.net or www.MusicCityArtsUpdate.com.)

(Charles Wesley Godwin performs at 3rd and Lindsley)