The 2019 Americana Honors & Awards ceremony was held on Sept. 11 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.
The star-studded event, which was hosted by the Milk Carton Kids, featured performances by Elvis Costello, Rhiannon Giddens, Lori McKenna, Delbert McClinton, Buddy & Julie Miller, Maria Muldaur, Mumford & Sons, Amanda Shires and more.
The night’s big winners included Brandi Carlile (Artist of the Year), John Prine (Album of the Year and Song of the Year), I’m With Her (Duo/Group of the Year), The War and Treaty (Emerging Act of the Year) and Chris Eldridge (Instrumentalist of the Year).
The Honors & Awards ceremony is the centerpiece of Nashville’s AmericanaFest (Sept. 10–15), which features approximately 500 performances from more than 250 artists at more than 50 venues.
Check out all of the winners below.
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
“To the Sunset,” Amanda Shires, Produced by Dave Cobb
“The Tree,” Lori McKenna, Produced by Dave Cobb
“The Tree of Forgiveness,” John Prine, Produced by Dave Cobb WINNER
“Walk Through Fire,” Yola, Produced by Dan Auerbach
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Brandi Carlile WINNER
Rhiannon Giddens
Kacey Musgraves
Mavis Staples
DUO/GROUP OF THE YEAR
I’m With Her WINNER
Our Native Daughters
Tedeschi Trucks Band
The War and Treaty
EMERGING ACT OF THE YEAR
Jade Bird
J.S. Ondara
Erin Rae
The War and Treaty WINNER
Yola
INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR
Chris Eldridge WINNER
Eamon McLoughlin
Chris Powell
Michael Rinne
SONG OF THE YEAR
“By Degrees,” Mark Erelli, Rosanne Cash, Sheryl Crow, Lori McKenna, Anais Mitchell & Josh Ritter, Written by Mark Erelli
“Mockingbird,” Ruston Kelly, Written by Ruston Kelly
“People Get Old,” Lori McKenna, Written by Lori McKenna
“Summer’s End,” John Prine, Written by Pat McLaughlin and John Prine WINNER
President’s Award
Felice & Boudleaux Bryant
Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting
Elvis Costello
Legacy of Americana Award
Rhiannon Giddens and Frank Johnson
Lifetime Achievement Award for Performance
Delbert McClinton
Trailblazer Award
Maria Muldaur
Inspiration Award
Mavis Staples
photo by Getty Images for the Americana Music Association