By Billy Dukes, Taste of Country | A new country music category has been added for the 2026 Grammy Awards. The change is meant to make space for where the genre is headed. The new category actually allows room for artists who remain close to the roots of country music to be recognized. Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. says the move aligns country with other genres, also.
・In 2026, the Best Traditional Country Album award will be given for the first time.
・This makes for five country categories in a field that also includes American Roots, Americana, bluegrass, blues, folk and regional roots.
・Mason says a proposal to add the category has been submitted before, but never passed a vote by Academy board of trustees.
Billboard shared news of the new Best Traditional Country Album category on Thursday (June 12).
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Go here to read more about these new categories that YOUR music may qualify for:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/grammys-add-new-country-category-for-2026/