The Grammy Awards are changing how they are honoring country music next year. Instead of having a Best Country Album category, they’re changing the name to Best Contemporary Country Album. Not to mention, the Grammy Awards team is also adding a Best Traditional Country Album category. This is the only new award being introduced for the 2026 show.
The change comes after Beyoncé made history earlier this year by becoming the first African American musician to win Best Country Album with her album Cowboy Carter.
Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. said the decision came after other country music artists asked for more ways to celebrate different styles of the genre. “They wanted more room to recognize the variety in today’s country music,” he told Billboard.
Country music is now following the lead of other genres like R&B, pop, and blues, which already splits their awards into “traditional” and “contemporary” styles.
“It helps keep country music in step with the other genres,” Mason added, “and gives space for where the music is going next.”
The new Traditional Country category will focus on albums that stick to classic country sounds. That includes familiar lyrics, old-school rhythm and singing, and instruments like the acoustic guitar, steel guitar, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, and live drums. Sub-genres like Western, Western Swing, and Outlaw Country will also be included.
Overall, this new change gives artists more chances to be recognized, while also respecting the roots of country music.
