2016 Americana Award Winners Include Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell & More

Artist of the Year

  • Bonnie Raitt
  • Chris Stapleton WINNER
  • Jason Isbell
  • Lucinda Williams

Album of the Year

  • Something More Than Free, Jason Isbell, Produced by Dave Cobb WINNER
  • The Ghosts of Highway 20, Lucinda Williams, Produced by Greg Leisz, Tom Overby and Lucinda Williams
  • The Very Last Day, Parker Millsap, Produced by Parker Millsap and Gary Paczosa
  • Traveller, Chris Stapleton, Produced by Dave Cobb and Chris Stapleton

Group Duo of the Year

  • Alabama Shakes
  • Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell WINNER
  • Lake Street Dive
  • Milk Carton Kids
  • Tedeschi Trucks Band

New/Emerging Artist of the Year

  • John Moreland
  • Leon Bridges
  • Margo Price WINNER
  • Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats

Song of the Year

  • “24 Frames,” Jason Isbell WINNER
  • “Dime Store Cowgirl,” Kacey Musgraves
  • “Hands of Time,” Margo Price”
  • “S.O.B.”, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Nightsweats

Instrumentalist of the Year

  • Cindy Cashdollar
  • Stuart Duncan
  • Jedd Hughes
  • Sara Watkins WINNER

Blogs

Jelly Roll And Melissa Etheridge Selected As Co-Chairs For Mobilize Recovery’s 2025 College ‘Campus Surge’ Initiative

Mobilize Recovery has named Jelly Roll, Melissa Etheridge, and Noah Thompson as co-chairs for their 2025 Campus Surge initiative, which highlights their commitment to addiction recovery awareness and advocacy. The country singers will also be joined for this program by coach Scott Cochran and Sheriff Karl Leonard. Jelly Roll is known for both his music…

Jelly Roll And Melissa Etheridge Selected As Co-Chairs For Mobilize Recovery’s 2025 College ‘Campus Surge’ Initiative

Mobilize Recovery has named Jelly Roll, Melissa Etheridge, and Noah Thompson as co-chairs for their 2025 Campus Surge initiative, which highlights their commitment to addiction recovery awareness and advocacy. The country singers will also be joined for this program by coach Scott Cochran and Sheriff Karl Leonard. Jelly Roll is known for both his music…

BigXthaPlug And Bailey Zimmerman’s “All The Way” Debuts At No. 1 On Hot Country Songs Chart

Rapper BigXthaPlug's new collaboration with country singer Bailey Zimmerman, “All the Way,” debuts at No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart this week. The track was released on BigXthaPlug/UnitedMasters, with additional radio promotion provided by Atlantic Records. “All the Way” also claims the top spot on the all-genre Streaming Songs and Digital Song Sales…

BigXthaPlug And Bailey Zimmerman’s “All The Way” Debuts At No. 1 On Hot Country Songs Chart

Rapper BigXthaPlug’s new collaboration with country singer Bailey Zimmerman, “All the Way,” debuts at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart this week. The track was released on BigXthaPlug/UnitedMasters, with additional radio promotion provided by Atlantic Records. “All the Way” also claims the top spot on the all-genre Streaming Songs and Digital Song Sales…

Thomas Rhett Breaks Ankle While Making A Surprise Appearance At Forrest Frank Concert

During Thomas Rhett’s surprise appearance at Forrest Frank's sold-out show at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena on Sunday night (April 13), the country star ended up leaving the stage in a wheelchair due to a severe injury. As Frank began performing his hit collaboration with the eight-time ACM Award winner, “Nothing Else,” he asked the crowd, “I…

Thomas Rhett Breaks Ankle While Making A Surprise Appearance At Forrest Frank Concert

During Thomas Rhett’s surprise appearance at Forrest Frank’s sold-out show at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Sunday night (April 13), the country star ended up leaving the stage in a wheelchair due to a severe injury. As Frank began performing his hit collaboration with the eight-time ACM Award winner, “Nothing Else,” he asked the crowd, “I…

Morgan Wallen And Post Malone Announce New Collaboration, “I Ain’t Comin’ Back,” Due Out This Week

On Tuesday (April 15), Morgan Wallen and Post Malone announced the release date of their newest collaboration, “I Ain’t Comin’ Back,” which is due out this Friday (April 18). The country superstars are aiming to replicate their chart-topping success of their previous collaboration, “I Had Some Help,” which ruled at No. 1 on the Billboard…

Morgan Wallen And Post Malone Announce New Collaboration, “I Ain’t Comin’ Back,” Due Out This Week

On Tuesday (April 15), Morgan Wallen and Post Malone announced the release date of their newest collaboration, “I Ain’t Comin’ Back,” which is due out this Friday (April 18). The country superstars are aiming to replicate their chart-topping success of their previous collaboration, “I Had Some Help,” which ruled at No. 1 on the Billboard…

Larry Bastian, Co-Writer Of Garth Brooks’ No. 1 Hit, “‘Unanswered Prayers,” Dies At 90

Renowned country music songwriter Larry Bastian passed away on Sunday, April 6, at age 90. Born on September 1, 1934, in Porterville, California, Bastian initially worked as a biologist before pursuing a successful career in music. He made his mark in the 1970s as part of the influential Bakersfield Sound movement, collaborating with musicians like…

Larry Bastian, Co-Writer Of Garth Brooks’ No. 1 Hit, “‘Unanswered Prayers,” Dies At 90

Renowned country music songwriter Larry Bastian passed away on Sunday, April 6, at age 90. Born on September 1, 1934, in Porterville, California, Bastian initially worked as a biologist before pursuing a successful career in music. He made his mark in the 1970s as part of the influential Bakersfield Sound movement, collaborating with musicians like…