With the 2023 GRAMMY nominations list comes a cross-section of the most luminous, moving and artistically profound musical works of the year — and a major portion of them come from the Americana community.
For an example of how this sphere contributed to the musical fabric of the year, look no further than the tracks nominated for a GRAMMY for Best Americana Performance — a brand new GRAMMY category being introduced in 2023.
Eric Alexandrakis' "Silver Moon (A Tribute to Michael Nesmith)" is a sumptuous tribute to the undersung talents of the late Monkee. Asleep at the Wheel's pretentiousness-lampooning "There You Go Again" — featuring Lyle Lovett — is loping, rickety fun. Blind Boys of Alabama's "The Message," featuring classical-meets-hip-hop duo Black Violin, is a reminder that God remains in control.
Rounding out the list are "You And Me on The Block," by acclaimed singer/songwriter Brandi Carlile and indie-pop band Lucius, which seems to ripple in the breeze like a wheatfield; and blues-rock great Bonnie Raitt's "Made Up Mind," which deftly traces the dissolution of a relationship.
Beyond that, there are eight American Roots Music categories at the 2023 GRAMMYs: Best American Roots Performance, Best American Roots Song, Best Americana Album, Best Bluegrass Album, Best Traditional Blues Album, Best Contemporary Blues Album, Best Folk Album, and Best Regional Roots Music Album.
Plus, "You And Me on The Block" has been nominated for a GRAMMY for Record Of The Year, Carlile's In These Silent Days is represented in the Album Of The Year category, Raitt's Just Like That is up for a GRAMMY for Song of The Year, and Molly Tuttle is nominated for a GRAMMY for Best New Artist — and that's just the General Field.
Hear all those artists and more in this expansive playlist documenting the American Roots Music GRAMMY nominees at the 2023 GRAMMYs.
Check it out on Pandora, Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music — and we'll see you at Music's Biggest Night on Sunday, Feb. 5!