Nashville’s Moment at the 2026 Grammy Awards

Nashville didn’t just show up at the 2026   — it captivated the night, and no one carried the city’s flag higher than our 2025 Music in the City cover star, Jelly Roll. 

On Sunday, Feb. 1, the Antioch native became the evening’s hometown hero, taking home three Grammys and firmly claiming the title of Music City’s biggest winner. The 41-year-old won Best Contemporary Country Album for Beautifully Broken, Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song with Brandon Lake for “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” and Best Country Duo/Group Performance with Shaboozey for “Amen.”  

Jelly Roll’s most powerful moment came during his emotional acceptance speech for Beautifully Broken, when he fought back tears and spoke plainly about the life he almost didn’t live. 

“They’re going to try to kick me off here, so just let me try to get this out,” he said. “First of all, Jesus, I hear you, and I’m listening. Lord, I am listening. Lord. Second of all, I want to thank my beautiful wife. I would have never changed my life without you. I would have ended up dead or in jail. I would have killed myself if it wasn’t for you and Jesus. I thank you for that.” 

The night’s biggest overall honors went elsewhere — Bad Bunny claimed album of the year for DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, while Kendrick Lamar led all winners with five trophies — but when it came to heart, grit, and redemption, Nashville had its moment. And Jelly Roll made sure it was unforgettable. 

Red Carpet Recap

Before the Grammys prime-time telecast, Jelly Roll stepped onto the red carpet alongside his wife, Bunnie Xo, with the same confidence and gratitude that defined his night onstage. Fellow nominee Reba McEntire walked the carpet ahead of her first-ever Grammys performance, joined by her fiancé, Rex Linn. Nominee Kelsea Ballerini wowed in a backless, sequined, figure-hugging halter neck gown, while nominee Lainey Wilson stunned in a dramatic black gown with an exaggerated neckline and deep V, finishing the look with a coordinating black cowboy hat. It’s proof that Nashville didn’t just show up for the winners list, Music City nominees pulled out of the stops for the red carpet, too.

2026 Grammy Awards — Winners, Nashville-Relevant Categories First 

Country & American Roots Music 

Best Country Solo Performance 

WINNER: “Bad as I Used to Be [From F1® The Movie],” Chris Stapleton 

Best Country Duo/Group Performance 

WINNER: “Amen,” Shaboozey & Jelly Roll 

Best Country Song 

WINNER: “Bitin’ List,” Tyler Childers 

Best Traditional Country Album 

WINNER: Ain’t in It for My Health, Zach Top 

Best Contemporary Country Album 

WINNER: Beautifully Broken, Jelly Roll 

American Roots, Americana & Folk 

Best American Roots Performance 

WINNER: “Beautiful Strangers,” Mavis Staples 

Best Americana Performance 

WINNER: “Godspeed,” Mavis Staples 

Best American Roots Song 

WINNER: “Ancient Light,” I’m With Her 

Best Americana Album 

WINNER: BIG MONEY, Jon Batiste 

Best Folk Album 

WINNER: Wild and Clear and Blue, I’m With Her 

Bluegrass & Blues 

Best Bluegrass Album 

WINNER: Highway Prayers, Billy Strings 

Best Traditional Blues Album 

WINNER: Ain’t Done With the Blues, Buddy Guy 

Best Contemporary Blues Album 

WINNER: Preacher Kids, Robert Randolph 

Best Regional Roots Music Album 

WINNER: A Tribute to the King of Zydeco, Various Artists 

Gospel & Contemporary Christian Music 

Best Gospel Performance/Song 

WINNER: “Come Jesus Come,” CeCe Winans Featuring Shirley Caesar 

Best Contemporary Christian Performance/Song 

WINNER: “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” Brandon Lake With Jelly Roll 

Best Gospel Album 

WINNER: Heart of Mine, Darrel Walls & PJ Morton 

Best Contemporary Christian Music Album 

WINNER: Coritos Vol. 1, Israel & New Breed 

Best Roots Gospel Album 

WINNER: I Will Not Be Moved (Live), The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir 

Remaining Major Categories 

General Field 

Record of the Year: “Luther,” Kendrick Lamar With SZA 

Album of the Year: DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, Bad Bunny 

Song of the Year: “WILDFLOWER,” Billie Eilish 

Best New Artist: Olivia Dean 

Production & Songwriting 

Producer of the Year, Non-Classical: Cirkut 

Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical: Amy Allen 

Pop & Dance/Electronic 

Best Pop Solo Performance: “Messy,” Lola Young 

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: “Defying Gravity,” Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande 

Best Pop Vocal Album: MAYHEM, Lady Gaga 

Best Dance/Electronic Recording: “End of Summer,” Tame Impala 

Best Dance Pop Recording: “Abracadabra,” Lady Gaga 

Best Dance/Electronic Album: EUSEXUA, FKA twigs 

Best Remixed Recording: “Abracadabra (Gesaffelstein Remix),” Gesaffelstein 

Rock, Metal & Alternative 

Best Rock Performance: “Changes (Live From Villa Park) Back to the Beginning,” YUNGBLUD 

Best Metal Performance: “BIRDS,” Turnstile 

Best Rock Song: “As Alive as You Need Me to Be,” Nine Inch Nails 

Best Rock Album: NEVER ENOUGH, Turnstile 

Best Alternative Music Performance: “Alone,” The Cure 

Best Alternative Music Album: Songs of a Lost World, The Cure 

 R&B, Rap & Spoken Word 

Best R&B Performance: “Folded,” Kehlani 

Best Traditional R&B Performance: “VIBES DON’T LIE,” Leon Thomas 

Best R&B Song: “Folded,” Kehlani 

Best Progressive R&B Album: BLOOM, Durand Bernarr 

Best R&B Album: MUTT, Leon Thomas 

Best Rap Performance: “Chains & Whips,” Clipse, Pusha T & Malice 

Best Melodic Rap Performance: “luther,” Kendrick Lamar With SZA 

Best Rap Song: “tv off,” Kendrick Lamar 

Best Rap Album: GNX, Kendrick Lamar 

Best Spoken Word Poetry Album: Words For Days Vol. 1, Mad Skillz 

Visual Media, Packaging & Classical (Selected) 

Best Music Video: “Anxiety,” Doechii 

Best Music Film: Music by John Williams, John Williams 

Best Recording Package: Tracks II: The Lost Albums, Bruce Springsteen 

Best Album Cover: CHROMAKOPIA, Tyler, The Creator 

Producer of the Year, Classical: Elaine Martone 

Best Contemporary Classical Composition: Ortiz: Dzonot, Gabriela Ortiz