From Rolling Stone · Marissa R. Moss · · 1m 30s
Molly Tuttle, Brandi Carlile Win Big at 2026 Americana Awards
The Americana Honors & Awards celebrated roots music's brightest stars with standout performances and meaningful wins.
In brief
The Americana Honors & Awards celebrated roots music's brightest stars with standout performances and meaningful wins. Molly Tuttle earned Artist of the Year while Brandi Carlile won Song of the Year, with the night highlighting both established and emerging talent in Americana music. Originally reported by Rolling…
Molly Tuttle takes Artist of the Year
Molly Tuttle earned the top prize at the 2026 Americana Honors & Awards, held September 16 in Nashville. The ceremony celebrated the year's best in roots music.
Brandi Carlile wins Song of the Year
Brandi Carlile took Song of the Year for "Returning to Myself," one of several major wins for established artists at the ceremony.
Tyler Childers' album wins top spot
Tyler Childers' Snipe Hunter was named Album of the Year, though Childers was not present to accept the award.
Mandy Fer inspires on stage
Mandy Fer won Instrumentalist of the Year and delivered a powerful speech about the lack of female lead guitarists she saw growing up. She said filling that void became her life's work.
“When I was a 16 year old girl, first picking up the electric guitar, I noticed a huge void of women being highlighted on stage as lead guitarists.”
Welch and Rawlings win for touring
Gillian Welch and David Rawlings won Duo/Group of the Year despite releasing no new music, earning recognition for their relentless touring schedule including Grateful Dead Acoustic Reckoning shows.
“I'm standing here and I'm quite overwhelmed about what it feels like to be recognized just for playing a lot of music.”
Lifetime honors for music legends
Dolly Parton, Robert Plant, and Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers received Lifetime Achievement awards. Ken Pomeroy won Emerging Act of the Year for his breakthrough album Cruel Joke.
What to remember
Molly Tuttle earned Artist of the Year while Brandi Carlile won Song of the Year, with the night highlighting both established and emerging talent in Americana music.
