Americana Honors & Awards Shine on Prine, Highwomen, and More

Even though it couldn’t take place on the Ryman Auditorium stage this year amid the usual packed schedule of a sweaty September AmericanaFest, the Americana Music Association’s 19th annual Americana Honors & Awards still celebrated the genre’s torchbearers in 2020.

In a social media announcement this morning from Nashville, the AMA announced the winners (in bold below) in the awards’ six categories. The eligibility window for nominated works was April 1, 2019, through March 31, 2020, and the nominees and winners were voted on by members of the Americana Music Association.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

And It’s Still Alright, Nathaniel Rateliff, produced by James Barone, Patrick Meese, and Nathaniel Rateliff
Country Squire, Tyler Childers, produced by David Ferguson and Sturgill Simpson
The Highwomen, The Highwomen, produced by Dave Cobb
Jaime, Brittany Howard, produced by Brittany Howard
While I’m Livin’, Tanya Tucker, produced by Brandi Carlile and Shooter Jennings

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Brandi Carlile
Brittany Howard
John Prine
Tanya Tucker
Yola

DUO/GROUP OF THE YEAR
Black Pumas
Drive-By Truckers
The Highwomen
Buddy & Julie Miller
Our Native Daughters

EMERGING ACT OF THE YEAR
Black Pumas
Katie Pruitt
Aubrie Sellers
Billy Strings
Kelsey Waldon

INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR
Ellen Angelico
Annie Clements
Brittany Haas
Zachariah Hickman
Rich Hinman

SONG OF THE YEAR
“And It’s Still Alright,” Nathaniel Rateliff, written by Nathaniel Rateliff
“Bring My Flowers Now,” Tanya Tucker, written by Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth, Tim Hanseroth, and Tanya Tucker
“Crowded Table,” The Highwomen, written by Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby, and Lori McKenna
“My Love Will Not Change,” Aubrie Sellers featuring Steve Earle, written by Billy Burnette and Shawn Camp
“Stay High,” Brittany Howard, written by Brittany Howard
“Thoughts and Prayers,” Drive-By Truckers, written by Patterson Hood