Nashville's 12th Annual Josie Music Awards 2026: See all the winners

The Josie Music Awards (the JMAs) returned to Music City.

The 12th annual awards ceremony took place on Sept. 22, honoring the best in the independent music industry across all genres.

Thousands of independent artists, songwriters and instrumentalists packed Nashville's Grand Ole Opry House, where the JMAs handed out a total of 204 awards.

The night's top winners included Vince Gill, Tony Orlando, Brent Mason and Billy Yates, while presenters that took to the stage included Heidi Parton, Tony Brown and Tayla Lynn.

The JMAs, the largest independent music award show in the world, were created by mother-daughter duo Josie Passantino-Boone and Tinamarie Passantino in 2015.

The pair wanted to create a space for independent music artists, songwriters and

industry professionals to gather and celebrate their work.

At the 2026 Josie Music Awards, which took place at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry House on Sept. 22, 2026, Vince Gill was awarded the country icon award.

See below for the full list of 2026 Josie Music Award winners.

2026 Josie Music Award Winners

Top Awards

COUNTRY ICON AWARD - Vince Gill
ICON AWARD - Tony Orlando
MUSICIAN LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT - Brent Mason
TOUR OF THE YEAR - Christmas With John Berry
CHAMPION FOR INDEPENDENT VOICES - Kent Wells
LIFETIME CAREER ACHIEVEMENT - Billy Dean
LEGENDARY SONGWRITER AWARD - Billy Yates
JMA TEX RITTER AWARD - Bobby Tomberlin
INDEPENDENT COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE - Leon Everette
LIFETIME CAREER ACHIEVEMENT IN JOURNALISM - Roxane Atwood
HUMANITARIAN AWARD - Patriots 4 America

Artist of the Year Awards

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR: JD Shelburne
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR, DUO/GROUP: The Malpass Brothers
EMERGENT ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Joel Gibson
RISING STAR OF THE YEAR: Ginn Swanson
RISING STAR OF THE YEAR, COUNTRY (MALE): Chas Collins
RISING STAR OF THE YEAR, COUNTRY (FEMALE): Ashley Felton
ARTIST OF THE YEAR, POP/POP ROCK: Tim Ringer
ARTIST OF THE YEAR, COUNTRY (FEMALE): Michelle Robinson
ARTIST OF THE YEAR, COUNTRY (MALE): Tristan Roberson
ARTIST OF THE YEAR, MODERN COUNTRY (FEMALE): Macy Tabor
ARTIST OF THE YEAR, MODERN COUNTRY (MALE): Adam Calvert
ARTIST OF THE YEAR, MULTI-GENRE (MALE): Blake Ellege
ARTIST OF THE YEAR, MULTI-GENRE (FEMALE): Abbie Thomas
ARTIST OF THE YEAR, TRADITIONAL/CLASSIC COUNTRY: Waylon Hanel
ARTIST OF THE YEAR, COUNTRY ROCK/SOUTHERN ROCK/OUTLAW: Josh Davis
ARTIST OF THE YEAR, ROCK: Mick Fury
ARTIST OF THE YEAR, CHRISTIAN/GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL: Justin Gambino
ARTIST OF THE YEAR, JAZZ/BLUES: Nicole Zuraitis
ARTIST OF THE YEAR, AMERICANA/FOLK (MALE): Brian Allison
ARTIST OF THE YEAR, AMERICANA/FOLK (FEMALE): Roberta Lea
WORLD ARTIST OF THE YEAR: JessC Sebastian
ARTIST OF THE YEAR (UNDER 18): AJ Robinson
ARTIST OF THE YEAR, UNDER 18 (ALUMNI): McKenna Faith Winters
GROUP OF THE YEAR, COUNTRY: Nathan Dean & The Damn Band
GROUP OF THE YEAR, CHRISTIAN/GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL: Wings of Love Ministries
GROUP OF THE YEAR, SOUTHERN ROCK/COUNTRY ROCK: The Filthy Heathens
GROUP OF THE YEAR, FOLK/AMERICANA: The Krickets
GROUP OF THE YEAR, ROCK: The Almas
GROUP OF THE YEAR, ROCK GENRE MIX: Maximum Friction
GROUP OF THE YEAR, BLUEGRASS: The Alaskan Sunnyside Sisters
GROUP OF THE YEAR, MULTI-GENRE: King Bee & The Stingers
GROUP OF THE YEAR, OUTLAW COUNTRY/COUNTRY ROCK: John Hibbard and The Haybirds
DUO OF THE YEAR: Weary Ramblers
DUO OF THE YEAR, COUNTRY: Jack and Davis Reid
DUO OF THE YEAR, (ALUMNI): Cliff & Susan

Tony Orlando won the icon award at the 2026 Josie Music Awards, which took place on Sept. 22, 2026 at The Grand Ole Opry House.

Vocalist of the Year Awards

VOCALIST OF THE YEAR, COUNTRY (FEMALE): Tiffany Proctor
VOCALIST OF THE YEAR, COUNTRY FEMALE (ALUMNI): Kirstie Kraus
EXCEPTIONAL VOCAL PERFORMANCE: Tori Rose
VOCALIST OF THE YEAR, MULTI-GENRE FEMALE (ALUMNI): Audra McLaughlin
VOCALIST OF THE YEAR, MULTI-GENRE FEMALE (ALUMNI II): Abbie Thomas
VOCALIST OF THE YEAR, MULTI-GENRE (FEMALE): Jessica Horton
VOCALIST OF THE YEAR, MULTI-GENRE MALE (ALUMNI): Jon Moon
VOCALIST OF THE YEAR, MULTI-GENRE (MALE): Dolan
VOCALIST OF THE YEAR, COUNTRY MALE: Skyelor Anderson
VOCALIST OF THE YEAR, COUNTRY MALE (ALUMNI I): Cody Glenn Cox
VOCALIST OF YEAR, COUNTRY MALE (ALUMNI II): Brandon Lorenzo
VOCALIST OF THE YEAR (UNDER 18, ALUMNI): Chloee Rae
VOCALIST OF THE YEAR (UNDER 18): Elle Townley
VOCALIST OF THE YEAR, TRADITIONAL/CLASSIC COUNTRY: Faron Hamblin
VOCALIST OF THE YEAR, SOUTHERN ROCK/COUNTRY ROCK (FEMALE): Zoey Rae Scott
VOCALIST OF THE YEAR, SOUTHERN ROCK/COUNTRY ROCK (MALE): Jay Jones
VOCALIST OF THE YEAR, ROCK: Luke Shoemaker
VOCALIST OF THE YEAR, CHRISTIAN/GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL: Melinda Drake
VOCALIST OF THE YEAR, R&B/SOUL: Nia Renee
VOCALIST OF THE YEAR, BLUEGRASS: Tyler Chasteen
VOCALIST OF THE YEAR: Ashley Jordan
VOCALIST OF THE YEAR, FOLK: Samantha Williams
VOCALIST OF THE YEAR, POP: Chesney Claire
VOCALIST OF THE YEAR, JAZZ/BLUES: Misty Naholnik
VOCALIST OF THE YEAR, MODERN COUNTRY (FEMALE): Lisa Mary
VOCALIST OF THE YEAR, MODERN COUNTRY (MALE): Steven Cade
VOCALIST OF THE YEAR, OUTLAW COUNTRY: Kevin Thomas
VOCALIST OF THE YEAR, WORLD: Blake Ellege
VOCALIST OF THE YEAR, COUNTRY/POP: Garrett Huffman

Song/Songwriter of the Year Awards

SONG OF THE YEAR (HOLIDAY, FEMALE): René and The Strays, "Blue Neon Christmas"
SONG OF THE YEAR (HOLIDAY, MALE): Kipper Lee, "Ho Ho Hold My Beer"
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR: Mark Barnowski
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR (FEMALE), PERSONAL PORTFOLIO: Aymee Ayrington
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR (MALE), PERSONAL PORTFOLIO: Ryan Scott Beaudry
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR, PERSONAL & PITCHING PORTFOLIO: Ryan Robinette
VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR: Gary Quinn & William Michael Morgan, "Country Strait"
VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR (Male/Female Duo): Bee Smith and Chris Chitsey, "Summer Before The Fall"
SONG OF THE YEAR, TRADITIONAL/CLASSIC COUNTRY (MALE): Webb Dalton, "Back When We Were Young"
SONG OF THE YEAR, TRADITIONAL/CLASSIC COUNTRY (FEMALE): Carrie Talarico, "One Perfect Picture"
SONG OF THE YEAR, BLUEGRASS: Jackson Hollow, "Wild Flower"
SONG OF THE YEAR, BLUES/JAZZ: Vaneese Thomas, "Winter Blues"
SONG OF THE YEAR, BLUES/MULTI-GENRE INFUSED: Brooks Herring, "Love Language"
SONG OF THE YEAR, R&B/SOUL: Letizia Collini, "Sunset (Thinkin' About You)"
SONG OF THE YEAR, HIP HOP/RAP: Joe Tann, "Knock It Out The Park"
SONG OF THE YEAR INSTRUMENTAL: Phillip Kanakis (featuring FAMES Macedonia PRO ARS Choir), "A Symphony of Mantras"
SONG OF THE YEAR, CHRISTIAN/GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL: Mr. Talkbox, "Get On Up (Live)"
SONG OF THE YEAR, CHRISTIAN/MULTI-GENRE INFUSED: Kali Rose, "Let Me Tell Ya 'Bout My Faith"
SONG OF THE YEAR, METAL/ALTERNATIVE METAL: Lost Circus, "Sky"
SONG OF THE YEAR, INDIE ROCK/ALTERNATIVE ROCK: Andru Jamison ft Kellin Quinn, "Burn"
SONG OF THE YEAR, ROCK DUO/GROUP: Fallen Within, "Worlds Apart"
SONG OF THE YEAR, ROCK ARTIST: Jasmine Cain, "Hurt"
SONG OF THE YEAR, AMERICANA: Lauren Anderson & Tracee Perrin, "Seasons Change"
SONG OF THE YEAR, AMERICANA/MULTI-GENRE INFUSED: Aaron Ball Band, "Jesus Saves"
SONG OF THE YEAR, FOLK/AMERICANA: Charity Cox, "Sober"
SONG OF THE YEAR, COUNTRY ROCK/SOUTHERN ROCK/OUTLAW COUNTRY: Wyatt Massingille, "I'm Gonna Do What I Want To Do"
SONG OF THE YEAR, MODERN COUNTRY (MALE): Julian Joel, "Next 2 U"
SONG OF THE YEAR, MODERN COUNTRY (FEMALE): McKenna Faith Winters, "Comin' Up Cowboy"
SONG OF THE YEAR, COUNTRY ( DUO/COLLABORATION): Houston Bernard and Ashley Jordan, "Heartbreak in Reverse"
SONG OF THE YEAR, COUNTRY (GROUP): The Daniel Jordan Band, "Misery"
SONG OF THE YEAR, MULTI-GENRE: Slainte Baby, "Lovin’ On You"
SONG OF THE YEAR, COUNTRY MALE (Division A): Tim Zach, "Nightmares"
SONG OF THE YEAR, COUNTRY MALE (Division B): Luke Williams, "Introduce Myself"
SONG OF THE YEAR, COUNTRY MALE (Division C): Jordan Moore, "Into the Water"
SONG OF THE YEAR, COUNTRY MALE (Division D): Tyler Salsman, "Wrong Things Right"
SONG OF THE YEAR, COUNTRY MALE (Division E): Corey Hager, "Easy Does It"
SONG OF THE YEAR, COUNTRY MALE (Division G): Beau Harris, "Oughta See The Other Guy"
SONG OF THE YEAR, COUNTRY FEMALE (Division A): Mary Sarah, "Temporary Man"
SONG OF THE YEAR, COUNTRY FEMALE (Division B): Savannah Dean Reeves, "Get Me Everytime"
SONG OF THE YEAR, COUNTRY FEMALE (Division C): Tiffany Denae, "Mama Dared to Try"
SONG OF THE YEAR, COUNTRY FEMALE (Division D): Stacey Blanton, "Lets Just Be"
SONG OF THE YEAR, COUNTRY FEMALE (Division E): Bella Lam, "Take It Out On My Guitar"
SONG OF THE YEAR, POP: Jack Austin, "Understand"
SONG OF THE YEAR – POP/ROCK: Gracie Calvaneso, "Marrying Myself"

Album of the Year Awards

ALBUM OF THE YEAR, FOLK/AMERICANA (DUO/GROUP): Blue Water Highway, "Waiting on a Wonder"
ALBUM OF THE YEAR, FOLK/AMERICANA (ARTIST): Meghan Clarisse, "Shadows of a Ghost Town'
ALBUM OF THE YEAR, POP/CONTEMPORARY: Dondi, "Begin"
ALBUM OF THE YEAR – HIP HOP/RAP: 40, BABY T
ALBUM OF THE YEAR, TRADITIONAL/CLASSIC COUNTRY: Webb Dalton, Self-Titled
ALBUM OF THE YEAR, INSTRUMENTAL: Garry Burnside, "It's My Time Now"
ALBUM OF THE YEAR, JAZZ/BLUES: The Boneshakers, Live To Be This
ALBUM OF THE YEAR, CHRISTIAN/GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL: Brandon Hixson, "Into The Blue"
ALBUM OF THE YEAR, BLUEGRASS: Crandall Creek, "Color Me Blue"
ALBUM OF THE YEAR, ROCK/METAL: J During Jr, "Life Between the Lines"
ALBUM OF THE YEAR, COUNTRY (FEMALE): Jessie Leigh, "Good Day"
ALBUM OF THE YEAR, COUNTRY (MALE): Eric Lee Beddingfield, "Resurrection"
ALBUM OF THE YEAR, COUNTRY MULTI-GENRE INFUSED: D Boone Pittman, "Rust"
ALBUM OF THE YEAR, Country Rock/Southern Rock/Outlaw Country: Ghosts of Hill County, Self-Titled
ALBUM OF THE YEAR, MODERN COUNTRY/POP COUNTRY: Kevin Wolff, "After All These Beers"
ALBUM OF THE YEAR, COUNTRY (DUO/GROUP): Velvet Rode, "Neon Reason"
ALBUM OF YEAR, MULTI GENRE: Barely Relevant, "Bad Habits"
ALBUM OF THE YEAR, NEW AGE/WORLD: Charu Suri, SHAYAN
ALBUM/EP OF THE YEAR, HOLIDAY: Lola Violet Winter, "Magic in the Season"
EP OF THE YEAR, AMERICANA/FOLK: Jessey Adams, "To The Mountains"
EP OF THE YEAR, GOSPEL/CHRISTIAN/INSPIRATIONAL: Justin Gambino, "Just Like Jesus"
EP OF THE YEAR, ROCK/METAL: J4, "Every Song About You"
EP OF THE YEAR, POP/POP ROCK: Pretty the Wolf, "Pretty the Wolf II"
EP OF THE YEAR, MULTI-GENRE: Robyn Ashley, "Everything's Changed"
EP OF THE YEAR, COUNTRY/MULTI GENRE INFUSED: Cole Tomlinson, Self-Titled
EP OF THE YEAR, COUNTRY (MALE): Kelly Daniels, "The Farrier"
EP OF THE YEAR, COUNTRY (FEMALE): Dani LaCour, In My Rearview
CHILDREN’S PROJECT OF THE YEAR, Claudia Robin Gunn, "Little Wild Singable Songs: Play, Help, Wonder"

Music Video of the Year Awards

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR, MALE: L.A. Shepherd, "Sally Sue Brown"
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR, MALE (ALUMNI): Jordan Moore, "Into the Water"
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR, FEMALE: Annie Vander, "The Speed of Love"
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR, DUO/COLLABORATIONS: Becca Bowen feat. Jake Hoot, "Sometimes I Do"
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR, GROUP: Cody Ikerd and the Sidewinders, "Whiskey Made Me Do It"
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR, PERFORMANCE FOCUSED (Male Alumni): Jon Mullane, "Remember in November"
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR, PERFORMANCE FOCUSED (Male): Jordan Redding, "Fishin' You to Jesus"
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR, PERFORMANCE FOCUSED (Female Alumni): Ashley Jordan, "Bad Girl"
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR, PERFORMANCE FOCUSED (Female): Dee Donasco, "I Never Walk Alone"
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR, PERFORMANCE FOCUSED (Duo/Group): Roseland, "Come From It"
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR, HOLIDAY: Kevin Thomas, "Merry Frickin’ Redneck Christmas"
EXPRESSIVE VERSE, MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR: Mary Sarah, "Single Bells"
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR, PERFORMANCE: Vern Daysel & The Burning Breeze, "New Game"
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR, GLOBAL: Mahesh Mahadev, Priyadarshini, "Jai Shivaji Jai Bhavani"
SOCIAL IMPACT, VIDEO OF THE YEAR (Duo/Group): Rob-Sky and the Anthem, "When We Love One Another"
SOCIAL IMPACT, VIDEO OF THE YEAR (Female): Tonya Mitchell, "Nobody Loves Me Like You"
SOCIAL IMPACT VIDEO OF THE YEAR (Male): Mitchell MacDonald, "Signed, No Longer Yours"
SOCIAL IMPACT SONG OF THE YEAR, COUNTRY (DUO/GROUP): Kelly & Sarah, "Three Sheets to the Wind"
SOCIAL IMPACT SONG OF THE YEAR, COUNTRY (FEMALE): EmiSunshine, "Now You Know"
SOCIAL IMPACT SONG OF THE YEAR, COUNTRY (MALE): Nate Venturelli, "Save Me From Me"
SOCIAL IMPACT SONG OF THE YEAR, ROCK/CHRISTIAN ROCK: Jasmine Cain, "Hurt"
SOCIAL IMPACT SONG OF THE YEAR, CHRISTIAN/GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL: Khloe Grace, "Your Reasons To Stay"
SOCIAL IMPACT SONG OF THE YEAR, MULTI-GENRE: Big Shane Thornton, "Missing You Like This"
SOCIAL IMPACT SONG OF THE YEAR, POP/CONTEMPORARY: Grace Michelle, "Give Me A Break"
SOCIAL IMPACT SONG OF THE YEAR, FOLK/AMERICANA: Jenny Grace, "Home"
BEST MUSICAL FILM OF THE YEAR: The Muse, Teron Fairchild, Andrew McBurnie, Sam Durnil
TRIBUTE BAND OF THE YEAR: Laurie Danks and Alan Turner, Real Love, Dolly and Kenny Tribute
TRIBUTE ARTIST OF THE YEAR (MALE): Logan Ramey, Elvis Tribute
TRIBUTE ARTIST OF THE YEAR (FEMALE): Sabrina Plaisance-Sia, The Olivia Show, A Tribute to Olivia Newton-John & "Grease"
BEST ACTRESS IN A MUSIC VIDEO: Allison Turner, "Broken Down" by Danny Terrell
BEST ACTRESS IN A MUSIC VIDEO: Kelly Malone, "Where Ya Been Girl" by Chris Chitsey
BEST ACTRESS IN A MUSIC VIDEO: Dani Jenkins, "Merry Frickin’ Redneck Christmas" by Kevin Thomas
BEST ACTOR IN A MUSIC VIDEO: Clayton Quisenberry, "Wasted Whiskey" by Clayton Q
BEST ACTOR IN A MUSIC VIDEO: Jon Hutcheson, "Damn Dallas" by Hutcheson Brothers
BEST ACTOR IN A MUSIC VIDEO: Jordan Moore, "Into The Water" by Jordan Moore

Musician of the Year Awards

MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR, DRUMS: Daniel Sia
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR, BASS: Jonathan Nixon
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR, GUITAR-I: Roman Miroshnichenko
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR, GUITAR-II: Chayse Brown
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR, GUITAR-III: Charlie Bonnet III
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR, PIANO: Charu Suri
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR, MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST: AJ Robinson
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR, VIOLIN/FIDDLE: Lacie Carpenter
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR, STRING INSTRUMENTS: David Prosser, Banjo
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR, WOODWIND/WIND INSTRUMENTS: Asta Tzeng

Industry Awards

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR: Giving Guitar, Owners Steven Cade and Kellee Cade Founders
BEST NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR: Sound Voyager, LLC., Kathryn Shipley
MANAGEMENT COMPANY OF THE YEAR: April Potter Entertainment
MEDIA COMPANY OF THE YEAR: The Jimmy Star Show with Ron Russell
MEDIA COMPANY OF THE YEAR, RADIO/TELEVISION: Rock and Review with Eric Dahl
MUSIC PRODUCER OF THE YEAR: Tom Harding Productions, Tom Harding
PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR: Rock That Shot Photography, Bridget Gaffin
PR/PROMOTION COMPANY OF THE YEAR: KNL Promotions, Kelly Phillips
RECORD LABEL OF THE YEAR: Luke Mills/AMC Label Group/Them Fly Bros, Luke Mills/CR Pendleton
VIDEO PRODUCTION COMPANY OF THE YEAR: Cypress Moon Productions Inc.
VIDEO PRODUCTION COMPANY OF THE YEAR: Imagination Designers
VIDEO PRODUCTION COMPANY OF THE YEAR: Mellen Media Productions
PHOTO OF THE YEAR: Calbren Media
INDIE INSPIRATION AWARD: Khloe Grace, Trace Thompson
BEST INDEPENDENT ARTIST PERFORMANCE OF 2025: Kathryn Shipley and Shane Thornton
HONOR & HARMONY AWARD (presenting Partners Sound Voyager & Five String Studios in collaboration with The Josie Music Awards): US Army - (RET.) Captain Josh Davis

Fan's Choice Category

DUO/GROUP: Velvet Rodeo
DUO/GROUP: Flatline
MALE: Rob Cole, Will Thiery (songwriter)
MALE ALUMNI: Andy Davis, Clayton Quisenberry
FEMALE: Shelly Fairchild, Paisley Grace
FEMALE ALUNMI: Alyssa Jacey, Jadyn Rylee

Songwriter Achievement

Adia Clark Lay – "Bite My Tongue"
AJ Robinson – "Southern Livin’"
Alyssa Jacey – "The First Thing I’m Gonna Do"
Andrew Moore – "Heart of A Father"
Cory M. Coons – "Simple Ways"
Erin Stoll – "Pick Yourself Up"
Grayson – "Take Me Now"
Hazel Ruth, Maddison McDonald, & Kathryn Shipley – "Fight This Fight For You"
Jacquie Daniels – "In My Bones"
Jamie Pounder – "Riva Mumma"
Jared Rogers – "Mary"
Jayna Jennings – "The Godfather"
Country Kid Nikko and Jenny Brown – "Liberty, Love, & Prayers"
McKayla Mae Prew – "Kissing Frogs"
Michelle Leigh – "When She Was 18"
Nicholas Langille – "I Said I Love You"
Sheri Swartz – "Welcome Mat"
Trish Torline – "Me, God, and My Guitar"
Trudy Sosbe Rose – "First Cold Breeze"
Cara Paige Miller, Justine Blazer, and Corey Lee Barker – "Ain’t That What Love Does"