Sturgill Simpson, Tyler Childers, More Land 2022 Grammy Noms

See full nominations below.
Nominees for the 2022 Grammy Awards were announced on Wednesday, November 23rd from the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, with some big names receiving some important nominations, a few obvious omissions, Carly Pearce surprisingly showing up to help announce the American Roots categories, and some nominations where the “who” was clearly being nominated as opposed to the “what.”
When it comes to country and roots categories, Sturgill Simpson is one of the big stories, since he had not one, but two albums nominated in separate categories. The Grammy favorite will be competing in Best Country Album for The Ballad of Dood and Juanita, along with Best Bluegrass Album for Cuttin’ Grass Vol. 1, The Butcher Shoppe Sessions.
Sturgill will be competing with Billy Strings in Bluegrass, who picked up a nomination for his new album Renewal, along with an American Roots song nomination for “Love and Regret.” Allison Russell was one of the big nominees in American Roots, picking up nominations for both Song and Performance for “Nightflyer,” as well as a Best Americana Album nomination for Outside Child. Yola also picked up two nominations in the American Roots categories.
Tyler Childers will also be competing with the second Grammy nomination he’s picked up for his latest album Long Violent History in the Best Folk Album category. Featuring mostly old-time music as opposed to traditional or contemporary country, Folk is where the Grammy Awards slot such works.
As for the country categories, Jason Isbell picked up a surprising nomination for his song “All I Do Is Drive” from Nexflix’s The Ice Road. The song was originally recorded by Johnny Cash. Jason Isbell doesn’t normally fit in country categories, but this song does, even though it seems like a strange nomination, and might be more about nominating the artist than the song.
The same goes for Kacey Musgraves, who caused a severe uproar when her mixed-review album Star-Crossed was rightly recused from competing in country categories and moved to pop. Nonetheless, she picks up two nominations for her mild song “Camera Roll,” which was allowed to compete in country. All the bellyaching about her being “gatekeeped” from country, and Kacey Musgraves continues to be the most Grammy nominated country artist in modern history, even when she doesn’t deserve it. In fact, satisfying her bellyaching is likely the reason for the nominations—a poor precedent to set.
Similarly, Skeletons by Brothers Osborne was also met with lackluster reviews and sales, but somehow picks up multiple nominations, while critically-acclaimed albums from Carly Pearce, Lainey Wilson, and Chapel Hart were left out, along with a host of other great country records and songs. Meanwhile, the nomination for Walker Hayes and “Fancy Like” really calls into question what we’re supposed to consider as “country.”
In the all-genre categories, country and roots artists were locked out of the Album of the Year category. But Brandi Carlile picked up nominations for Song of the Year and Record of the Year for “Right On Time.” Once again, Carlile complained when the song was moved out of the American Roots categories and was sent to pop, and here it is similar to Musgraves not receiving one, but two nominations.
Jimmie Allen also received a nomination for Best New Artist, while both Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton were nominated for Best Traditional Pop Vocal (That’s Life, a Very Dolly Christmas), and Reckless Kelly was once again nominated for Best Recording Package (American Jackpot / American Girls). Carrie Underwood’s My Savior was also nominated for Best Roots Gospel Album.
There is a lot to second guess about the nominations as always. It felt like maybe Charley Crockett deserved some recognition somewhere, while once again artists like Mike and the Moonpies, Melissa Carper, and other critically acclaimed artists were likely never considered. But big nominations for Sturgill Simpson, Tyler Childers, Billy Strings, Allison Russell, Jason Isbell, and others do give independent country and roots fans plenty to root for.
Best Country Solo Performance
Luke Combs – “Forever After All”
Mickey Guyton – “Remember Her Name”
Jason Isbell – “All I Do Is Drive”
Kacey Musgraves – “Camera Roll”
Chris Stapleton – “You Should Probably Leave”
Best Country/Duo Performance
Jason Aldean & Carrie Underwood – “If I Didn’t Love You”
Brothers Osborne – “Younger Me”
Dan + Shay – “Glad You Exist”
Ryan Hurd & Maren Morris – “Chasing After You”
Miranda Lambert and Elle King – “Drunk ( and I Don’t Wannna Go Home)”
Best Country Album
Brothers Osborne – Skeletons
Mickey Guyton – Remember Her Name
Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall, Jack Ingram – The Marfa Tapes
Sturgill Simpson – The Ballad of Dood and Juanita
Chris Stapleton – Starting Over
Best Country Song
(Goes to songwriters)
Maren Morris – “Better Than We Found It”
Kacey Musgraves – “Camera Roll”
Chris Stapleton – “Cold”
Thomas Rhett – “Country Again”
Walker Hayes – “Fancy Like”
Mickey Guyton – “Remember Her Name”
Best Americana Album
Jackson Browne – Downhill From Everywhere
John Hiatt with the Jerry Douglas Band – Leftover Feelings
Los Lobos – Native Sons
Allison Russell – Outside Child
Yola – Stand for Myself
Best American Roots Song
Rhiannon Giddens, Francesco Turrisi – “Avalon”
Valerie June Featuring Carla Thomas – “Call Me a Fool”
Jon Batiste – “Cry”
Yola – “Diamond Studded Shoes”
Allison Russell – “Nightflyer”
Best American Roots Performance
Jon Batiste – “Cry”
Billy Strings – “Love and Regret”
The Blind Boys of Alabama and Bela Fleck – “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to be Free”
Brandy Clark Featuring Brandi Carlile – “Same Devil”
Allison Russell – “Nightflyer”
Best Bluegrass Album
Billy Strings – Renewal
Béla Fleck – My Bluegrass Heart
The Infamous Stringdusters – A Tribute to Bill Monroe
Sturgill Simpson – Cuttin’ Grass Vol. 1 (Butcher Shoppe Sessions)
Rhonda Vincent – Music Is What I See
Best Folk Album
Mary Chapin Carpenter – One Night Lonely (Live)
Tyler Childers – Long Violent History
Madison Cunningham – Wednesday (Extended Edition)
Rhiannon Giddens with Francesco Turrisi – They’re Calling Me Home
Sarah Jarosz – Blue Heron Suite
Best Traditional Blues Album
Elvin Bishop and Charlie Musselwhite – 100 Years of Blues
Blues Traveler – Traveler’s Blues
Cedric Burnside – I Be Trying
Guy Davis – Be Ready When I Call You
Kim Watson – Take Me Back
Record of the Year
ABBA – I Still Have Faith in You
Jon Batiste – Freedom
Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga – I Get a Kick Out of You
Justin Bieber, Daniel Cesar, Giveon – Peaches
Brandi Carlile – Right on Time
Doja Cat, SZA – Kiss Me More
Billie Eilish – Happier Than Ever
Lil Nas X – Montero (Call Me by Your Name)
Olivia Rodrigo – Drivers License
Silk Sonic – Leave the Door Open
Album of the Year
We Are – Jon Batiste
Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga – Love for Sale
Justin Bieber – Justice (Triple Chucks Deluxe)
Doja Cat – Planet Her (Deluxe)
Billie Eilish – Happier Than Ever
H.E.R. – Back of My Mind
Lil Nas X – Montero
Olivia Rodrigo – Sour
Taylor Swift – Evermore
Kanye West – Donda
Song of the Year
Ed Sheeran – Bad Habits
Alicia Keys, Brandi Carlile – A Beautiful Noise
Olivia Rodrigo – Drivers License
H.E.R. – Fight for You
Billie Eilish – Happier Than Ever
Doja Cat, SZA – Kiss Me More
Silk Sonic – Leave the Door Open
Lil Nas X – Montero (Call Me by Your Name)
Justin Bieber, Daniel Cesar, Giveon – Peaches
Brandi Carlile – Right on Time
Best New Artist
Arooj Aftab
Jimmie Allen
Baby Keem
Finneas
Glass Animals
Japanese Breakfast
The Kid Laroi
Arlo Parks
Olivia Rodrigo
Saweetie
November 23, 2021 @ 11:53 am
Cuttin Grass better beat that Billy Strings BS.
November 23, 2021 @ 12:13 pm
It can for all I care. It’s not like Billy has anything to prove or the Grammys have any credibility to lose.
November 23, 2021 @ 12:13 pm
I think both kick and it will be fun to see who wins. That’s a heavyweight tilt, while you have some other big names like Bela Fleck, Infamous Stringdusters, and Rhonda Vincent there too. Good to see the bluegrass category super relevant and intriguing.
November 23, 2021 @ 12:49 pm
Yeah, Bela Fleck will win this. That album is an absolute monster.
I feel like the Billy Stings hate above is a bit of contrary posturing. How you can call his music BS makes no sense. Personally, I think it’s a two horse race. I’m a Sturgill fan and I like those records but Grammy winning? Nah.
November 23, 2021 @ 12:57 pm
In a tough field, the fact that’s Sturgill’s record is previously-released material and he’s probably a strong contender for Best Country Album, I could see him losing this. Sturgill can still say though that he’s been nominated in now three separate categories.
November 23, 2021 @ 2:59 pm
Check that: Four categories: Americana (Metamodern), Country (A Sailors Guide, Ballad of Dood and Juanita) Rock (Sound & Fury), Bluegrass (Cuttin’ Grass).
November 23, 2021 @ 3:54 pm
Sturgill will absolutely win Best Bluegrass album only because this award usually goes to the most widely known artist nominated, rarely to acts only known by bluegrass fans, same with the “country” award, it has almost always gone to the act or record most appealing to non-country fans, a major reason hard country acts from Loretta Lynn to George Strait have far fewer Grammys than they should have. I’m not sure if it’s still the case, but the whole industry used to be able to vote in every category so if they aren’t really into country or bluegrass they are going to go for the most pop or most famous nominee.
November 23, 2021 @ 1:30 pm
That Bela Fleck album is really great as well. It’s a decent dark horse.
I love the Sturgill album but to me it seemed a little rushed and some songs didn’t fit that well bluegrass style. I don’t think it was any where near the fully realized, heavyweight album that “Renewal” is.
November 24, 2021 @ 11:32 am
the bluegrass category is the strongest while the duo one is awful!
November 23, 2021 @ 5:02 pm
What’s wrong with Billy’s album? I have it on vinyl and it kicks ass. Might be his best work get.
November 23, 2021 @ 12:00 pm
Brothers Osborne & Mickey Guyton being picked as nominees for Country Album of the year is identity politics at its finest.
November 23, 2021 @ 12:05 pm
H.E.R., Lil Nas X, Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift and Kanye West were also nominated for Album Of The Year.
November 23, 2021 @ 12:06 pm
I think Brandi is reasonably frustrated that she spent all that time making “Americana” her home and then seems to have been somewhat arbitrarily removed. It’s not like she has made a significant change in here style.
Tougher competition for Billy Strings this year. He should still win . I really agree with the “Love and Regret” nomination here. And excellent song and top notch performance.
November 23, 2021 @ 12:19 pm
When it comes to that song specifically, I think a strong case can be made it’s more pop than American Roots. As I said in my review of “In These Silent Days,” when I first heard “Right On Time,” I was seriously concerned about what direction the album would take since that song was so torchy. I though Carlie could be going in a pop direction. The album “In These Silent Days” is clearly Americana (and great). But the people that make these decisions are told to divest themselves from what they think of the artist, and what the artist has released in the past, and only consider that one song. I think when you do that, it’s fair to call “Right On Time” pop.
Either way, she walks away with three nominations, and two for one song. A Grammy is a Grammy.
November 23, 2021 @ 12:09 pm
Isbell did a great version of “All I Do is Drive”… better that than something from radio
Let’s see if they “televise” best country album….
November 23, 2021 @ 12:24 pm
It’s a fun song and a good rendition, and I’m glad Isbell got a nomination over other potential mainstream entries. But I just don’t think an old cover of a trucker song really should receive Grammy nomination prestige. These are supposed to be songs and performances that change the world, shake us to our core, convey some important perspective.
November 23, 2021 @ 12:31 pm
Shit sandwich.
November 23, 2021 @ 6:56 pm
Shark Sandwich might as well win.
November 23, 2021 @ 12:35 pm
The nominees for song of the year are god awful. Let’s go, Brandi.
November 23, 2021 @ 12:38 pm
Again other deserving albums should have been nominated. Especially Carly’s. I know Marfa Tapes was critically acclaimed but it was a side project. Some songs were already on her albums and she plans to put a few on upcoming album. Did not sell or stream well. Carly. Church. Even Wallen deserves that spot. And Drunk should not have been nominated at all. It’s not country. Elle is not country. It was on AC. Then in June it’s added to country charts. Elle signs with Lamberts label in July. Bam. We be country. When you see how many other and better songs were submitted it just stinks. We can’t give Chris grief for being added to Adele’s and Taylor’s songs and ignore this. HDD wrote months ago that didn’t matter what the Grammys did that the Nashville Committee would do what they wanted. Sorry Trig I’m still pissy about Ashley not winning last year. But as long as Trey, Joel, Marion and WME are involved other deserving artists will be ignored. Glad to see Sturgill nominated though.
November 23, 2021 @ 1:39 pm
As much as I love Elle King and the song with Miranda, I have struggled to accept it as country. Elle is having an musical crisis at the moment she doesn’t know if she wants to be alternative, rock or country.
November 23, 2021 @ 2:35 pm
“We can’t give Chris grief for being added to Adele’s and Taylor’s songs and ignore this.”
The Elle King/Miranda Lambert track is definitely pop (and not particularly good). But the difference is that Elle King is not a massive global pop star like Taylor Swift and Adele. The reason Elle King is declaring herself country now is because she needs country’s help to support her career. Her move is much more similar similar to Darius Rucker than Taylor Swift and Adele. I’m not condoning Elle King’s move, but it’s a fundamentally different issue that the one I was discussing in the previous article.
Let’s face it, this year more than ever, the Grammy Awards are nominating names instead of albums and songs. And awards like to nominate Miranda Lambert. I do like “The Marfa Tapes” though.
November 23, 2021 @ 12:46 pm
Man, that slate of anything with “Country” in the header is absolutely brutal.
The thought of nominating anyone associated with “Fancy Like” for anything other than a firing squad, is physically sickening.
Also, not sure how you nominate the Cutting Grass record that was cut like a mixtape over the one that was actually cut like an album, but that may just be me.
November 23, 2021 @ 12:53 pm
I honestly thought Alan Jackson would have a better chance at a Grammy nomination for country album. I knew the CMA Awards would snub him, but I’m really surprised the Grammys didn’t honor him.
November 23, 2021 @ 12:54 pm
That Brothers Osborne album is okay. It’s a grower and has some genuinely banging moments.
Not sure about the Childers record getting a nom. I love Tyler but that’s a weak record, all told.
Bela has to get the Bluegrass gong. I’m a huge Billy Strings fan but ‘My Bluegrass Heart’ is rich, buttery gravy. You can take a bath in it.
November 23, 2021 @ 1:01 pm
The Grammy’s “messaging” again. Would expect no less from ’em.
November 23, 2021 @ 1:07 pm
Here’s the thing you can easily say Kacey is pop & not country…but you can’t do that..& then nominate Dan & shay and Walker hayes in country. From the outside it certainly looks like a double standard.
Also Elle king (who is pop) getting a country nomination bc she added Miranda lambert. And marfa tapes, getting nominations over 29, chapel heart etc (along with Isbell getting nominated for a cover :sigh:)
November 23, 2021 @ 2:25 pm
As we talked about when they moved Kacey Musgraves out of country to pop, we’d have to revisit this once the nominations were out, and see if there were any double standards. I took a listen to the Dan + Shay song “Glad You Exist,” and though it’s definitely pop, I think the fact that it’s an acoustic track that begrudgingly sits within the sonic palette of today’s contemporary country, it’s hard to exclude it, especially since you also included Kacey’s “Camera Roll.” I actually think that is the Grammy Awards showing some important consistency.
But Walker’s “Fancy Like” clearly crosses the line, and should have also been sent to pop. Meanwhile the Best Country Song category strangely has six nominations, I guess meaning there was a tie. “Fancy Like” should have been excluded.
All that said, Kacey Musgraves walks away with two country nominations, while many, many other deserving artists didn’t. So there shouldn’t be any bellyaching.
November 23, 2021 @ 1:12 pm
Agreed, volume 2 is definitely superior.
Will have to check out the Bela Fleck album. Also, Mary Chapin Carpenter has a grammy nominated live album. That sounds worth listening to.
November 23, 2021 @ 1:32 pm
No love for the greatest song of our times??
Tequila Little Time…?
November 23, 2021 @ 1:36 pm
You can only pick one…
Is it better to….
1. Be adored by the media & award shows (see Guyton & Brothers Osborne)
2. Be played at radio & have number 1 hits.
3. Have a loyal fanbase that sees you in concert & buys/streams your stuff
November 23, 2021 @ 1:37 pm
Just post it now based on this awful, awful list of nominees…
Grammy ratings sink to a new record low, organizers cant figure out why
November 23, 2021 @ 3:17 pm
Love Billy and hope he wins Best Bluegrass Album.But I loved Sturgills album too
And Record Of the Year. How did ABBA got a Nomination?
there are only 3 weeks ago since they released their first Album in 40 year. And debuted at #1 in 18 countries. Modern pop must have a problem…
But since they got that nomination, I hope they win even though I’d preferred ” When You Danced With Me”
instead, love that celtic sound it has.
https://youtu.be/YDJZlPTFol8
November 23, 2021 @ 3:44 pm
LOL
November 23, 2021 @ 3:46 pm
The ratings for the Grammys will continue to tank. Awards shows are no longer popular because of other streaming options. That sure includes the Grammys. Miranda Lambert didn’t deserve the nominations. That Drunk song is awful. It’s not a country song and it’s performed with a non country artist. Don’t like Miranda’s album either. Carly Pearce and even Morgan Wallen’s album deserved a nomination over Miranda’s. The only nominations I really agree with are Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga. The Grammys remain political and corrupt no matter who is or who isn’t nominated. They’re rigged.
November 23, 2021 @ 3:59 pm
From top to bottom, what an awful list.
November 23, 2021 @ 4:09 pm
My thoughts exactly Cornman. I look down the list, shake my head and look again, shake my head, and then realize i couldnt be bothered to care about any of it.
November 23, 2021 @ 4:14 pm
Dood and Juanita is the same band as Cuttin grass, I wonder why it’s considered country and not bluegrass.
November 28, 2021 @ 6:01 pm
I think it’s somewhere in between country and bluegrass. A different vibe than Cuttin Grass, could fit in either category.
November 23, 2021 @ 4:24 pm
What a weird list of nominees. I was hoping maybe Connie Smith’s album would get a Best Country Album nomination. Hopefully the expanded edition of Carly’s album will get some nominations next year and the Grammy people just decided not to nominate the EP version. Super happy for Allison Russell though – Outside Child is a beautiful album from start to finish.
I guess my personal choices for the country categories would have to be:
Solo Performance – Luke Combs
Duo/Group Performance – Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood
Song – Remember Her Name?
Album – I didn’t vibe with Sturgill’s album but I can’t really complain about it going to anyone in this category. I can see Stapleton winning if the Grammys want to stay safe or Guyton winning because they missed a trick not giving her one for “Black Like Me” last year.
November 23, 2021 @ 4:34 pm
Very sad indeed that a superb singer like Connie Smith was completely shut out for an album that clearly tried to expand her base and remarkably stay in sync with her history of recording and did a great job of it. I don’t think a single nomination in the country field is as good as her “Here Comes My Baby Back Again”. I was hoping it might sneak in as a roots or folk nominee (it might have been more legitimately qualifying in these categories than a few of the nominees) but I had little hopes the current “country” scene would embrace it.
November 23, 2021 @ 4:34 pm
Haha shucks! Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers cut one of my songs called “Living Left to Do” and it was on the first round ballot for Best Roots Performance. I couldn’t believe it. Oh well, I’ll get ‘em next year!
November 23, 2021 @ 4:51 pm
Give all awards to Will Bannister, and send all those poseurs packing.
November 23, 2021 @ 4:57 pm
I’m so, so happy for Allison Russell—she is such a shining talent and that whole album is a triumph, one of my most listened of the year. Well deserved.
November 23, 2021 @ 6:18 pm
Well on the other hand the ACM Honors show has been nothing but real country so far. Carly, Alan and LeAnn, Ronnie Dunn…
November 23, 2021 @ 6:42 pm
“Fancy like” might genuinely be the worst song I have ever heard in my entire life. Does anyone actually like it? I’ve never heard someone play it or say they’re a fan. I swear Walker Hayes is a robot built by Applebee’s and country radio
Also I am shocked, concerned, and disgusted by the lack of nominations for jeremy pinnells recent album, which I have heard (on good authority) rips super hard
November 23, 2021 @ 7:21 pm
the fact that cuttin grass even got a nomination is crazy to me, some of the worst bluegrass i’ve ever heard. rest of the category is solid, though
November 23, 2021 @ 7:56 pm
I’m more than a bit surprised that Carly Pearce was shut out of the country categories. I wonder if she just didn’t pick up enough momentum until after voting closed. She was one of many artists who appeared in the broadcast to announce the nominees, and as far as I know… the only participant who *didn’t* get a nomination.
“Same Devil” took me by surprise. I forgot that it was eligible, and would’ve expected it in Country Duo/Group anyways. I hope it wins. It’s a good enough song, and Brandy Clark ought to be a Grammy winner several times over by now.
I can’t get over the “alphabet bias” in the general field. 5/10 Album and 7/10 Record nominees are artists whose name begins with A-E. It’s never been more evident that being early on the ballot is an advantage during the nomination process, despite having been a fairly persistent issue in the last several years. It seems like the further you are in the alphabet, the more you need overwhelming success / fame in order to be nominated (Rodrigo, Swift, West this year). They need to start randomizing the ballots or something. I’m a bit surprised that there’s no industry backlash about this. (It probably explains The Weeknd’s infamous snubs last year, too, but the “secret committees” took the hit for that).
November 23, 2021 @ 8:13 pm
Looks like something somebody sitting on the 57th floor of some office in NYC concocted or some poolside patio in the Hollywood hills.
Either way DGAF
November 23, 2021 @ 8:56 pm
I’ll be rooting for Jason Isbell, Tyler Childers, Sturgill, and Brandi Carlisle of course. Most of the rest is trash. The thing I’ll be keeping an eye on is that Bluegrass Album category… Cuttin’ Grass didn’t really do it for me, the Stringdusters and Rhonda Vincent are “fine”, I love Billy Strings and I love the entire Renewal album, but that Bela Fleck album is an absolute beast and it better win.
November 24, 2021 @ 2:48 am
I just looked up the official Grammy site and saw that Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton are nominated for “Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album”. Someone to root for there as well.
November 24, 2021 @ 7:23 am
Best Recording Package for Reckless Kelly again as well.
November 24, 2021 @ 8:17 am
I didn’t know ‘Fancy Like’ was real song. I thought it was specific to Applebee’s. It’s annoying in the 30 second commercial. I couldn’t imagine actually seeking out and listening to the entire song; but probably will out of curiosity.
November 24, 2021 @ 8:33 am
Isbell is Country, Jackson Browne is Americana, and Brandi is neither? My head hurts.
November 24, 2021 @ 8:40 am
Jason Isbell’s “All I Do Is Drive” is definitely a country song, and a really good one for what it is, which is a cover of a Johnny Cash trucker tune. But it doesn’t need to be nominated for a Grammy Award. More than any other nomination I’ve ever seen for the Grammys, this nomination underscores how the organization appears obsessed with certain names as opposed to deploying a true dragnet looking for the best songs and albums out there, and making sure a light is shined on them. Better this song than others. But there is so much better out there.
November 24, 2021 @ 1:22 pm
And Carrie Underwood nominated for Best Roots Gospel Album.
November 25, 2021 @ 8:49 am
Why did Crockett get snubbed ? Boy is killing it now
November 26, 2021 @ 11:58 pm
Unreal but damned encouraging, thankful someone is listening to the underground sounds ????
November 28, 2021 @ 5:58 pm
Given the nominees for country album, Sturgill’s is the best.
I’ve listened to the whole thing at least 15 times. It could be longer, but it paints a story and does it well.
Frankly it’s my favorite album he’s put out period.