Sierra Ferrell, Nathaniel Rateliff Win 2025 Americana Honors in Nashville

The 24th annual Americana Honors & Awards ceremony took place at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium, where Sierra Ferrell made history by winning Artist of the Year for the second consecutive time, becoming the first woman to do so. Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats received Album of the Year for 'South of Here,' while I’m With Her won Song of the Year for 'Ancient Light.' Gillian Welch and David Rawlings were honored as Duo/Group of the Year, and MJ Lenderman was named Emerging Act of the Year. Alex Hargreaves, touring violinist with Billy Strings, earned Instrumentalist of the Year. The event, hosted by actor and musician John C. Reilly, also featured lifetime achievement awards for Joe Henry, Darrell Scott, and The Old 97’s, and the Spirit of Americana Free Speech in Music award went to Jesse Welles. The ceremony celebrated both established icons and rising talents within the Americana music community, reinforcing the genre's evolving legacy.