NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 16, 2022) – This afternoon, the Americana Music Association announced the nominees for its 21st annual Americana Honors & Awards during a ceremony at Nashville’s National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM). This year’s nominations were revealed by hosts (and Duo/Group of the Year nominee) The War and Treaty. The event was streamed live to the Americana Music Association’s Facebook page and also featured performances from the Fisk Jubilee Singers, The War and Treaty and Adia Victoria.
A full list of categories and nominees for the Americana Music Association’s 21st annual Americana Honors & Awards is below: 
ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
“In These Silent Days,” Brandi Carlile; Produced by Dave Cobb and Shooter Jennings
“Outside Child,” Allison Russell; Produced by Dan Knobler
“Raise The Roof,” Robert Plant & Alison Krauss; Produced by T Bone Burnett
“A Southern Gothic,” Adia Victoria; Produced by Mason Hickman and Adia Victoria, Executive Produced by T Bone Burnett
“Stand For Myself,” Yola; Produced by Dan Auerbach
ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
Brandi Carlile
Jason Isbell
Allison Russell
Billy Strings
Yola
DUO/GROUP OF THE YEAR:
Big Thief
Los Lobos
The Mavericks
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
The War and Treaty
EMERGING ACT OF THE YEAR:
Sierra Ferrell
Neal Francis
Brittney Spencer
Adia Victoria
Morgan Wade
INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR:
Ethan Ballinger
Brian Farrow
Larissa Maestro
Shelby Means
Justin Moses
SONG OF THE YEAR:
“Canola Fields,” James McMurtry; Written by James McMurtry
“Diamond Studded Shoes,” Yola; Written by Dan Auerbach, Natalie Hemby, Aaron Lee Tasjan and Yola
“Juanita,” Sturgill Simpson feat. Willie Nelson; Written by Sturgill Simpson
“Persephone,” Allison Russell; Written by Jeremy Lindsay and Allison Russell
“Right On Time,” Brandi Carlile; Written by Brandi Carlile, Dave Cobb, Phil Hanseroth and Tim Hanseroth
The winners of each category will be announced during the Americana Honors & Awards on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022 at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. The celebrated program is the hallmark event of AMERICANAFEST, which returns for its 22nd year on Sept. 13-17, 2022.
Every year, the Americana Music Association honors distinguished members of the music community with six member-voted annual awards and Lifetime Achievement Awards including the NMAAM co-presented Legacy of Americana Award, which will all be announced leading up to Americana music’s biggest night.
“We’re thrilled to partner with the National Museum of African American Music as we unveil this year’s Americana Awards nominees,” says Americana Music Association’s Executive Director, Jed Hilly. “Thanks to our hosts, Tanya and Michael Trotter of The War and Treaty, Fisk Jubilee Singers and Adia Victoria for making the event so special. Congratulations to all the member-selected nominees!”
“NMAAM is excited to host the Americana Music Association for their Nominations Announcement Ceremony,” said H. Beecher-Hicks, CEO of NMAAM. “We celebrate the nominees and their continued contributions to the American Soundtrack.”
Described by Emmylou Harris as “the shining star of Nashville and music everywhere,” the Americana Honors & Awards has been broadcast in years past on CMT, Austin City Limits via PBS, AXS TV and via SiriusXM Radio, BBC2, WMOT, WRLT, WSM, Voice of America and Circle Network.
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 Avett Brothers, The Lumineers, Mumford & Sons, Alabama Shakes, Solomon Burke, Rosanne Cash, the late Dr. John with Dan Auerbach, Irma Thomas, Levon Helm, Robert Plant and many more.
Tickets to the Americana Honors & Awards are on sale now for AMERICANAFEST Conference Registrants. For more information on the association or to purchase passes to AMERICANAFEST, please visit www.americanamusic.org.
Photos by Erika Goldring