Juan Solorzano performs with Becca Mancari at The Blue Room, 10/6/2023
In May, the Americana Music Association announced nominees for the awards that will be presented during the annual Honors and Awards ceremony and concert at the Ryman. To be held this year on Wednesday, Sept. 16, the event has long been the keystone of a jam-packed week of shows and panels. Musicians, fans and journos were surprised to not find a mention of nominees for the Instrumentalist of the Year category in the announcement. Though the wording was somewhat confusing, a statement published to Instagram shortly after the release indicated that more information on the category would come at a later time.
Today the association has released the Instrumentalist nominees.
During a special voting cycle in July, association members will choose who will receive the award during the ceremony. They’ve got five strong candidates to pick from, including three Nashvillians. You’ve heard Music City keyboardist and producer Joshua Blaylock with Grace Bowers, Devon Gilfillian and Joy Oladokun among others. His fellow local, bassist Ethan Jodziewicz, has toured and recorded with The Milk Carton Kids, Sierra Hull, Molly Tuttle and many more. Nashville guitarist and composer Juan Solorzano has played vital roles in records from Becca Mancari, Ruston Kelly and Katie Pruitt, in addition to establishing his own solo catalog.
Meanwhile, guitarist Mandy Fer, a Pacific Northwesterner via Norway, has graced Nashville stages (and many more elsewhere) with the likes of Allison Russell and Brandi Carlile. And North Carolina multi-instrumentalist Libby Rodenbough has contributed to the sound of acts like Fust and Anjimile.
“The special election underscores the association's ongoing commitment to ensure the Instrumentalist of the Year Award remains a meaningful peer-recognized honor that celebrates the extraordinary musicians whose work enriches Americana music both on stage and in the studio,” says the release. “Voting will take place from July 7-17, 2026, with ballots being distributed directly to eligible Americana Music Association members in good standing.”
The original release came a few weeks after the association announced its first round of performers for this year’s festival. Another round of artist announcements has come since, including artists like Brennan Wedl (a rocking Nashville songsmith who just announced a self-titled LP due Aug. 21 via ANTI-), Miko Marks, Wynonna Judd and Swamp Dogg.
