West Virginia native Sierra Ferrell’s now storied ability to turn any concert in any venue in the world into an existential journey into a juke joint party is growing in renown. She can now add yet another Americana Music Association award for Artist of the Year to cement her emerging superstardom.
This was one of many takeaways from 2025’s Americana Honors & Awards, which occurred at downtown Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on the evening of Sept. 10.
David Rawlings, Nathaniel Rateliff and Gillian Welch perform during the Americana Music Honors and Awards at The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025.
Ferrell, on the road in Raleigh, N.C., was unable to appear to accept her honor.
The “Trail of Flowers” album vocalist joins Brandi Carlile, Buddy Miller and John Prine as multiple-time winners of the award.
Other winners during the event included Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats (Album of the Year), I’m With Her’s “Ancient Light” (Song of the Year), Gillian Welch & David Rawlings (Duo/Group of the Year), MJ Lenderman (Emerging Act of the Year) and Alex Hargreaves (Instrumentalist of the Year).
Americana’s legends deliver standing ovation-worthy performances
Legendary performers from country and rock’s foundational intersections with the Americana space also highlighted the event hosted by actor and performer John C. Reilly.
The host even joined in on the festivities with a stripped-down duet on Willie Nelson’s “Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain” with Margo Price.
In addition to presenting the Spirit of Americana Free Speech in Music award to Jesse Welles, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer John Fogerty closed the event by playing the Creedence Clearwater Revival classics, “Up Around The Bend,” “Lookin’ Out My Back Door,” and “Proud Mary.”
John Fogerty performs during the Americana Music Honors and Awards at The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025.
Country Music Hall of Famer Emmylou Harris performed her “Wrecking Ball” album favorite, “May This Be Love,” alongside the album’s well-regarded rock producer, Daniel Lanois.
Also of note, The Old 97’s, Joe Henry, and Darrell Scott were all honored with Americana Lifetime Achievement Awards. They were feted by performances from Rosanne Cash, Rodney Crowell and Hayes Carll, respectively. The McCrary Sisters were recognized with the Legacy of Americana Award (in partnership with the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM), presented by NMAAM Board member and Grammy-winning producer Shannon Sanders.
“They don’t just sing songs, they sing life,” Sanders said about the work of the McCrary Sisters, who, after receiving a standing ovation, performed a rendition of the powerful, gospel-inspired ballad “What Good Am I?,” from their 2025 album “Love Is The Only Key.”
The trio then returned to join Buddy Miller’s Americana All-Star Band, featuring Don Was, Fred Eltringham, Jen Gunderman, Jim Hoke, and Larry Campbell.
Standout performances dominate the rest of the Americana Honors & Awards
Other performances were notable during the evening.
Americana Lifetime Achievement Award honoree Darrell Scott performed a warmly-received rendition of “You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive.” The song that was later a hit for Patty Loveless was written and initially recorded by Scott in 1997. Song of the Year winners I’m With Her’s stellar trio harmonies and virtuoso musicianship were also highlighted in a take on “Ancient Light.”
Margo Price and John C. Reilly perform during the Americana Music Honors and Awards at The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025.
Dawes’ recent history of show-stopping takes on “Time Spent In Los Angeles” continued in Music City. The pastoral, yet bittersweet lament has turned into something of an emotionally restorative California wildfire reflection.
Maggie Rose, who performed her latest album’s soul-stirring torch song title track, “No One Gets Out Alive,” while clad in a shimmering gold gown, was a standout. As well, Arkansas native Jesse Welles performed his clap-along folk song “War Isn’t Murder.” To many in the Ryman, its anti-war message felt warmly similar to hits from the catalogs of artists including Woody Guthrie and “Country” Joe McDonald.
“Life is too short to not say exactly what you mean all the time,” said Welles, upon later receiving the Spirit of Americana Free Speech in Music Award.
“What a great night,” Executive Director of the Americana Music Association and Foundation Jed Hilly said. “We saw the breadth of the Americana community and spirit. This legacy has stood strong for over two decades and will continue for many more to come.”
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Sierra Ferrell, Nathaniel Rateliff win big at 2025 Americana Awards
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