The 20 annual Americana Honors and Awards took place last night at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Some of the biggest names in Americana, folk, roots, and country music came together under one roof to celebrate their accomplishments in their field. Brandi Carlile, Sturgill Simpson, and John Prine were among the night’s biggest winners.
Brandi Carlile Takes Home Artist of the Year
Brandi Carlile wears many hats. She’s an author, singer, songwriter, producer, and more. After last night’s ceremony, she can add two-time Artist of the Year to her long list of accomplishments. She won the award in 2019 as well.
About the win, Brandi Carlile said, “This means so incredibly much to me. I would’ve meant so much to anybody that would have won because to be Artist of the Year in a year like the one we have all had as a community, there’s weight to it. I think it’s profound. And I don’t take this for granted, because it was hard to be an artist this year.
During the show, Brandi Carlile also took part in a tribute to the late, great John Prine. She, Amanda Shires, and Margo Price teamed up for a heartfelt rendition of Prine’s final song, “I Remember Everything.”
John Prine Wins a Posthumous Award
John Prine posthumously won Song of the Year, for “I Remember Everything,” the final song he recorded before his death in 2020. It was his second posthumous award. Last year, he took home Artist of the Year at the Americana Honors and Awards.
John’s Widow, Fiona Prine was there to accept the award. While doing so, she said, “I don’ think I was ever in this building without John. I was feeling a little teary-eyed down there tonight, but I think he’s here.”
Then, she gave a nod to Brandi Carlile and other women in attendance. “It struck me that I think the doors of this building have been pushed wide, wide open in the last several years. But, no more so than tonight and it’s being done by the women, many of them who John loved and toured with and sang with…”
Sturgill Simpson Lands Album of the Year
Sturgill Simpson won Album of the Year last night for Cuttin’ Grass Vol. 1. This was his first Americana Award since 2017, according to Tennessean. However, he wasn’t there to accept it. Instead, Shooter Jennings took the stage to accept the honor.
Charley Crockett Wind Puzzling Award
Charley Crockett recently released his tenth album, Music City USA. Last night, he joined Brandi Carlile, Sturgill Simpson, and John Prine in the winners’ circle. Crockett took home the Emerging Artist Award. Upon accepting the award he said, “For somebody like me and a lot of folks if it wasn’t for Americana we probably wouldn’t get no recognition at all. So, this is for everybody that feels that way.”
