The Recording Academy has announced a significant change to its awards structure, splitting the prestigious Grammy for Best Country Album into two distinct categories. Starting with the 68th Grammy Awards in 2026, the prize will be divided into Best Traditional Country Album and Best Contemporary Country Album.
From "Cowboy Carter" to a Category Crossroads
The decision, announced in June 2025, follows a landmark year for the genre. At the 2025 ceremony, Beyoncé made history by becoming the first Black woman to win Best Country Album for her record "Cowboy Carter." While the Academy states the category evolution reflects the genre's "ongoing sonic evolutions," the timing has sparked debate. Some observers have questioned whether the split constitutes a reaction to Beyoncé's groundbreaking victory.
Experts offer nuanced perspectives. Charles L. Hughes, a professor at Rhodes College and author of "Country Soul," believes Beyoncé's win highlighted persistent questions about Black artists' access to success in a genre deeply influenced by Black music. He hopes the new categories will foster greater diversity of sound and opportunity. Francesca T. Royster, a DePaul University professor, views the change positively, suggesting it could reduce a double standard for artists of colour and allow for more experimentation beyond rigid genre definitions.
Defining the New Landscape: Tradition Meets Modernity
The Academy's rulebook provides definitions for the new categories. Best Traditional Country Album will honour recordings that adhere to classic sound structures, lyrical content, and instrumentation—think acoustic guitar, steel guitar, fiddle, and banjo. Subgenres like outlaw country and Western swing would find a home here.
In contrast, Best Contemporary Country Album is defined more conceptually. Eligible albums should utilise stylistic intention and musical presentation to create a sensibility reflecting the broad spectrum of modern country style and culture, engaging with contemporary forms while remaining relevant to the genre's legacy.
This division, however, raises questions. Hughes asks, "Whose tradition are we talking about?" He notes that defining "country music's culture" can become circular. Royster sees both categories as speaking to aesthetic and political agendas, with "traditional" appealing to preservationists and "contemporary" embracing an expansive, evolving culture.
Artists and Industry React to the Split
The inaugural 2026 nominees have been announced. The contemporary field includes Kelsea Ballerini, Tyler Childers, Eric Church, Jelly Roll, and Miranda Lambert. The traditional category features Charley Crockett, Lukas Nelson, Willie Nelson, Margo Price, and Zach Top.
Artist reactions have been largely supportive. Nominee Jelly Roll told the Associated Press, "Anytime the pipe widens, more water gets through. And this was the pipe widening, baby." He added that the change might encourage him to make a traditional album one day. Three-time Grammy winner Brad Paisley also sees a benefit, stating that more awards mean more awareness for artists' work. However, he expressed a slight concern that the division could theoretically influence creative decisions, though he hopes it won't.
This restructuring has a historical precedent within the Grammys. A similar split occurred in the R&B field in 1999 with the introduction of a traditional category, which later evolved further in 2021.
The 68th Grammy Awards are scheduled for 1 February 2026 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The ceremony will be broadcast on CBS and streamed on Paramount+.
