At the Americana Honors & Awards ceremony at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Wednesday night (September 10), Sierra Ferrell won Artist of the Year for the second consecutive year, while Gillian Welch and David Rawlings were awarded Duo/Group of the Year, and MJ Lenderman earned Emerging Artist of the Year. Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats claimed Album of the Year for South of Here, while I’m With Her – the Americana supergroup featuring Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan and Sara Watkins – won Song of the Year for “Ancient Light.”

Instrumentalist of the Year went to Billy Strings’ touring violinist Alex Hargreaves, while Lifetime Achievement Honors were bestowed on Old 97’s, Joe Henry, and Darrell Scott, with the McCrary Sisters receiving the Legacy of Americana Award. Emerging artist Jesse Welles was honored with the Spirit of Americana Free Speech in Music award, presented by John Fogerty. The event also featured appearances by Americana icons including presenters Brandi Carlile and Rosanne Cash, while Emmylou Harris and Fogerty both performed during the ceremony. (Variety)