Securing this new Grammy category was the beginning of the process. But now traditional country music performers need to submit their albums to the Grammy Awards for consideration.
In 2026, the Grammy Awards have brought back the “Best Contemporary Folk Album” category that was eliminated in 2012, while also founding a new “Best Traditional Folk Album” category.
Only appropriate that as the recently svelte Jelly Roll sauntered up to the stage to deliver his shake shack snake oil sermon, you heard Jelly Roll singing via the walk-up music, “I ain’t nothin’ but a liar.”
Tyler Childers is now a Grammy winner. So is Zach Top. Mavis Staples and I’m With Her also have two more Grammy Awards apiece. Chris Stapleton has another one for his massive trophy collection.
It’s hard to best Billy Strings. And though the bluegrass field is extremely solid and chock full of talent—especially this year’s list of nominees—it was Billy who came out on top at the 2026 Grammys.
Zach Top’s popularity probably helped play a role in the Grammys deciding to make a new Best Traditional Country Album category for 2026. All the more fitting that Zach would walk away with the trophy.
It’s a classy move by Charley Crockett, and perhaps a vote for Charley can be seen as a vote for Turnpike as well, especially since as he rightly points out, it was the Turnpike Troubadours who seeded his career.
What is it about the Grammy system that doesn’t allow that one consensus album of a given year to rise to the top like it should, like it didn’t for the Turnpike Troubadours in 2025?
It might be an awkward Thanksgiving around the Nelson household. Actually, probably not. They seem like the kind of clan that’s not especially competitive with each other and is more supportive.
With nominations in all of the categories he was eligible in, Tyler Childers leads all nominees in country music with four. Chris Stapleton and Miranda Lambert tie Childers.
The nominees for the 2026 Grammy Awards were announced on Friday morning (11-7), with extra interest this year in country due to how the Grammys split the Best Country Album category into two categories.
When the new Best Traditional Country Album category was announced, there was some trepidation. ballot reads like a killer playlist of some of the best country albums released in the last year.
One artist that we know won’t be submitting their work to the Recording Academy happens to also be the biggest artist in all of “country” music. Morgan Wallen has let it be known that he won’t be submitting.
Finally, traditional country is being allowed to exist on its own as opposed to having to compete with the big pop-oriented names of mainstream country, or being relegated to “Americana.”
It’s hard to overstate how big this is, both in the present tense, and for what it could mean for the future. The Recording Academy has just announced that for the upcoming season, there will be a Best Traditional Country Album.
No, neither George Strait nor Reba McEntire spoke out about Beyoncé’s Grammy win for Best Country Album, or Best Country Duo/Group performance. There’s a good chance George Strait didn’t even know it occurred.
Please forgive me if this comes across as a little hyperbolic. But it certainly seems alarming that almost every expert analyzing the impending effects of AI immersion conclusively proclaims that it’s not “if” but “when.”
From a homeless and train hopping busker, to one of the fastest-rising stars in independent roots music, to now a three-time Grammy-winning artist, the hopeful and inspiring story of singer and songwriter Sierra Ferrell only continues to get sweeter.
Few songs immediately transport you to a different time and place like this one. You can just imagine yourself out on Route 66 in the 1950’s, neon signs buzzing in the background, and not a care in the world.
Since the Grammy Awards are one of the few awards that weigh artistic merit over commercial success, it makes it a bit more important to pay attention to for fans and advocates of independent artists.
When we heard that the reclusive Tracy Chapman had agreed to appear at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards to sing “Fast Car” with Luke Combs, we knew it could be something special. It was certainly that.
Some moments, and some songs are bigger than genre, or even era. They resonate with the audience irrespective of age, race, creed, gender, or anything else. They’re universal, regardless of the story or the style behind them.
Tammy Wynette will be one of the 2024 recipients of the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Announced on Friday, January 5th, Wynette will join Gladys Knight, Donna Summer, the Clark Sisters, Laurie Anderson, and N.W.A.
A few days ago, Billboard decided to broach the subject of who should be considered “The Real Queen of the Grammys”? Adele, Taylor Swift, or Beyoncé? But they failed to regard the Grammy record of Alison Krauss.