2020 Americana Award Winners

The 2020 Americana Award winners were announced on December 15. The late John Prine and The Highwomen came as the biggest winners among everyone.

This year’s event was very different from what we were costumed to. The awards night often comes as a culmination of the AmericanaFest were no less than 100 artists perform in different venues throughout Nashville, however with the global pandemic this year’s fest was postponed. Next year’s American Fest dates have been set for September 21 -26, 2021.

John Prine

John Prine’s death was sad news for the country music industry. Despite him leaving us behind, Prine’s legacy will never be forgotten. The 2020 American Awards for artist of the year was given to the country music legend. This has been his fourth time winning the award following his 2005, 2017, and 2018 win. Prine is the first artist to be nominated and to win this award posthumously in this category.

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The Highwomen

No other artists have won as much as the Highwomen did in this year’s Americana Awards. Dominating by winning three out of the six membership-voted awards winning the album of the year for their debut album, the song of the year for “Crowded Table,” and Duo/Group of the year.

Composed of the biggest female country music artists today, “The High women” album was created in relevance to Jimmy Webb’s penned classic, Highwayman. Telling the story of how females in history have often sacrificed themselves for something greater. The group was assumed to be headed to history.  

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Dave Cobb helped the group to make its debut by producing the Highwomen’s album. This adds to Cobb’s outstanding resume as he now produced five of the seven winners of the category. This includes John Prine’s final studio album The Tree of Forgiveness, which won last year, and Jason Isbell and the 400 Units The Nashville Sound, which won two years ago. Before that, he produced Isbell’s solo albums Something More Than Free (the 2016 winner) and Southeastern (2014).

Black Pumas

The rising duo were named as the Emerging Act of the Year after their full-length album “Colors,” caught the attention of the public. The duo has made tours from all across the globe and has appered in several shows such as PBS’ Austin City Limits and CBS This morning and has received multiple Grammy nominations.

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Album of the Year

“And It’s Still Alright,” Nathaniel Rateliff, Produced by James Barone, Patrick Meese, and Nathaniel Rateliff
“Country Squire,” Tyler Childers, Produced by David Ferguson and Sturgill Simpson
“The Highwomen,” The Highwomen, Produced by Dave Cobb
“Jaime,” Brittany Howard, Produced by Brittany Howard

“While I’m Livin’,” Tanya Tucker, Produced by Brandi Carlile and Shooter Jennings

Duo/Group of the Year

Black Pumas
Drive-By Truckers
The Highwomen
Buddy & Julie Miller
Our Native Daughters

Artist of the Year

Brandi Carlile
Brittany Howard
John Prine
Tanya Tucker
Yola

Emerging Act of the Year

Black Pumas
Katie Pruitt
Aubrie Sellers
Billy Strings
Kelsey Waldon

Instrumentalist of the Year

Ellen Angelico
Annie Clements
Brittany Haas
Zachariah Hickman
Rich Hinman

Song of the Year

“And It’s Still Alright,” Nathaniel Rateliff, Written by Nathaniel Rateliff
“Bring My Flowers Now,” Tanya Tucker, Written by Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth, Tim Hanseroth, and Tanya Tucker
“Crowded Table,” The Highwomen, Written by Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby, and Lori McKenna
“My Love Will Not Change,” Aubrie Sellers featuring Steve Earle, Written by Billy Burnette and Shawn Camp
“Stay High,” Brittany Howard, Written by Brittany Howard
“Thoughts and Prayers,” Drive-By Truckers, Written by Patterson Hood