Now firmly established as one of roots music’s most compelling performers, Molly Tuttle accepted the trophy for Artist of the Year at the 2026 Americana Honors & Awards ceremony at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on Wednesday night (September 16).

Tyler Childers, though not in attendance, was the recipient of the Album of the Year award for Snipe Hunter, produced by Rick Rubin and Nick Sanborn. Gillian Welch & David Rawlings were named Duo/Group of the Year, Ken Pomeroy accepted the award for Emerging Act of the Year, Brandi Carlile collected the Song of the Year award for “Returning to Myself,” and guitarist Mandy Fer was bestowed Instrumentalist of the Year honors.

Dolly Parton, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and Robert Plant all received Americana Lifetime Achievement honors, which were accompanied with powerful performances.

The Heartbreakers reunited with special guest Chris Stapleton; Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan & Sara Watkins comprising I’m With Her teamed up with Brandi Carlile to deliver a moving tribute to Dolly Parton with “Coat of Many Colors”; and Robert Plant returned to the Ryman stage at the Americana Honors & Awards for the first time in 15 years with a performance of “Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down” and “Angel Dance.” A touching video message from Dolly Parton was aired during the ceremony.

Other highlights from the evening include songwriter Bernie Taupin presenting Brandi Carlile with the Song of the Year award; a moving tribute to the late Todd Snider by Hayes Carll with Elizabeth Cook; and the finale ensemble delivering a special performance honoring the legacy of Raul Malo with “Dance the Night Away” by The Mavericks.

Throughout the night, attendees were treated to additional performances by Boy Golden, Crowe Boys, Flatland Cavalry, Jesse Welles, Kashus Culpepper, Kathleen Edwards, Ken Pomeroy, Margo Price, Molly Tuttle, Mon Rovîa and S.G. Goodman. Buddy Miller returned as musical director for the Americana All-Star Band, featuring Larry Campbell, Fred Eltringham, Jen Gunderman, Jim Hoke, The McCrary Sisters, and Don Was.

Photo Credit: Getty Images for Americana Music Association