Riding high on the success of her latest album, Trail of Flowers, singer-songwriter Sierra Ferrell earned even more critical praise at the 2024 Americana Honors & Awards. During the ceremony, held on Wednesday night (Sept. 18) at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, the West Virginia native snagged two of the night’s most coveted trophies.
Ferrell walked away with the awards for both Artist of the Year and Album of the Year for Trail of Flowers, which was released in March. She also took the stage to perform her track “American Dreaming,” offering a standout moment during a night filled with stellar live appearances from Turnpike Troubadours, Noah Kahan, The War & Treaty, Waxahatchee with MJ Lenderman, and many more.
The ceremony opened with a stirring performance of The Allman Brothers’ “Blue Sky” from Duane Betts as a tribute to his father, Dickey, who died in April. On the eve of the 50th anniversary of Gram Parsons’ death, Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell delivered a stunning show-closing rendition of “Return of the Grievous Angel,” which earned a lengthy standing ovation.
A complete list of this year’s nominees and winners can be found below. The 2024 Americana Honors & Awards mark the kickoff of AmericanaFest 2024, which is being held through Sept. 21 in downtown Nashville. You can find more information on the festival and conference here.
2024 Americana Honors & Awards Winners:
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Brandy Clark, Brandy Clark (produced by Brandi Carlile)
The Past Is Still Alive, Hurray for the Riff Raff (produced by Brad Cook)
Rustin’ in the Rain, Tyler Childers (produced by Tyler Childers and The Food Stamps)
Trail of Flowers, Sierra Ferrell (produced by Eddie Spear and Gary Paczosa) [WINNER]
Weathervanes, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit (produced by Jason Isbell)
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Tyler Childers
Charley Crockett
Sierra Ferrell [WINNER]
Noah Kahan
Allison Russell
DUO/GROUP OF THE YEAR
Black Pumas
Larkin Poe [WINNER]
The Milk Carton Kids
Turnpike Troubadours
The War and Treaty
EMERGING ACT OF THE YEAR
Kaitlin Butts
Wyatt Flores
Charles Wesley Godwin
The Red Clay Strays [WINNER]
Jobi Riccio
SONG OF THE YEAR
“American Dreaming,” Sierra Ferrell (written by Melody Walker and Sierra Ferrell)
“Dear Insecurity,” Brandy Clark (written by Brandy Clark and Michael Pollack) [WINNER]
“In Your Love,” Tyler Childers (written by Geno Seale and Tyler Childers)
“Jealous Moon,” Sarah Jarosz (written by Daniel Tashian and Sarah Jarosz)
“Right Back to It,” Waxahatchee feat. MJ Lenderman (written by Katie Crutchfield)
INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR
Grace Bowers [WINNER]
Maddie Denton
Jamie Dick
Megan McCormick
Joshua Rilko
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Don Was (presented by Martina McBride)
Shelby Lynne (presented by Allison Moorer)
Dwight Yoakam (presented by Brandy Clark)
The Legacy of Americana Award
Rev. Gary Davis
