Grammy Award for Best Country Album

Annual award

Grammy Award for Best Country Album

A Beautiful Time by Willie Nelson is the most recent recipient

Awarded for| quality albums in the country music genre
Country| United States
Presented by| National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
First awarded| 1965
Currently held by| Willie Nelson,
A Beautiful Time (2023)
Website| grammy.com

The Grammy Award for Best Country Album is an award presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards,[1] to recording artists for quality albums in the country music genre. Honors in several categories are presented at the ceremony annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to "honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position".[2]

The award was first presented under the name of Best Country & Western Album in 1966 to Roger Miller for Dang Me/Chug-A-Lug and was discontinued the following year. In 1995 the category was revived and received its current denomination of Best Country Album. According to the category description guide for the 66th Grammy Awards (2024), the award is presented to vocal or instrumental country albums containing at least 51% playing time of new recordings, and the Grammy is awarded to the artist and producer, and to the engineer/mixer of greater than 50% playing time of the album.[3] (The list of nominees only mentions Artists).

The Dixie Chicks are the most awarded performers in this category with four wins, followed by Chris Stapleton who has three wins. Two-time award winners include Roger Miller, Lady Antebellum, Kacey Musgraves and Miranda Lambert. Canadian singer Shania Twain is the only non-American winner in this category, to date. Trisha Yearwood holds the record for most nominations, with eight. Yearwood also holds the record for most nominations without a win. The current holder of the award is Willie Nelson, who won at the 65th Grammy Awards with his seventy-second studio album A Beautiful Time.

## Recipients[edit]

1996 winner and three-time nominee Shania Twain is the first and so far only non-American winner. Dixie Chicks the most awarded performers with four wins. 2001 winner Faith Hill Vince Gill received the award in 2008 as has eight additional nominations in this category. He is, to date, the most awarded male country artist at the Grammys. 2009 winner George Strait Taylor Swift received three nominations in this category. Her album, Fearless, won this award and Album of the Year in 2010. She is also the only act to win the Best Pop Vocal Album and Best Country Album. Lady Antebellum, three-time nominees and 2011 and 2012 winners Two-time recipient Miranda Lambert Three-time winner Chris Stapleton Year[I] | Recipient(s)  | Work  | Nominees  | Ref.

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1965 | Roger Miller | Dang Me/Chug-a-Lug |

* Chet Atkins – Guitar Country
* Johnny Cash – Bitter Tears: Ballads of the American Indian
* Buck Owens – The Best of Buck Owens
* Jim Reeves – The Best of Jim Reeves
* Hank Williams Jr. – Hank Williams Jr. Sings Songs of Hank Williams

| [4]
1966 | Roger Miller | The Return of Roger Miller |

* Eddy Arnold – My World
* Chet Atkins – More of That Guitar Country
* Jim Reeves – The Jim Reeves Way
* Hank Williams & Hank Williams Jr. – Father and Son: Hank Williams and Hank Williams Jr.

| [5]
1995 | Mary Chapin Carpenter | Stones in the Road |

* Asleep at the Wheel – Tribute to the Music of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys
* Vince Gill – When Love Finds You
* Reba McEntire – Read My Mind
* Trisha Yearwood – The Song Remembers When

| [6]
1996 | Shania Twain | The Woman in Me |

* Junior Brown – Junior High
* The Mavericks – Music for All Occasions
* John Michael Montgomery – John Michael Montgomery
* Trisha Yearwood – Thinkin' About You
* Dwight Yoakam – Dwight Live

| [7]
1997 | Lyle Lovett | The Road to Ensenada |

* Brooks & Dunn – Borderline
* Vince Gill – High Lonesome Sound
* Patty Loveless – The Trouble with the Truth
* Trisha Yearwood – Everybody Knows
* Dwight Yoakam – Gone

| [8]
1998 | Johnny Cash | Unchained |

* Alan Jackson – Everything I Love
* Patty Loveless – Long Stretch of Lonesome
* George Strait – Carrying Your Love with Me
* Dwight Yoakam – Under the Covers

| [9]
1999 | Dixie Chicks | Wide Open Spaces |

* Garth Brooks – Sevens
* Faith Hill – Faith
* Shania Twain – Come On Over
* Trisha Yearwood – Where Your Road Leads

| [10]
2000 | Dixie Chicks | Fly |

* Asleep at the Wheel – Ride with Bob: A Tribute to Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys
* Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt & Dolly Parton – Trio II
* George Jones – Cold Hard Truth
* Alison Krauss – Forget About It

| [11]
2001 | Faith Hill | Breathe |

* Vince Gill – Let's Make Sure We Kiss Goodbye
* Alan Jackson – Under the Influence
* Lee Ann Womack – I Hope You Dance
* Trisha Yearwood – Real Live Woman

| [12]
2002 | Various artists
* Bonnie Garner, Luke Lewis and Mary Martin, producers | Timeless: Hank Williams Tribute |

* Diamond Rio – One More Day
* Tim McGraw – Set This Circus Down
* Willie Nelson – Rainbow Connection
* Trisha Yearwood – Inside Out

| [13]
2003 | Dixie Chicks | Home |

* Alan Jackson – Drive
* Willie Nelson – The Great Divide
* Joe Nichols – Man with a Memory
* Dolly Parton – Halos & Horns

| [14]
2004 | Various artists
* Carl Jackson, producer | Livin', Lovin', Losin': Songs of the Louvin Brothers |

* Faith Hill – Cry
* Lyle Lovett – My Baby Don't Tolerate
* Willie Nelson & Ray Price – Run That by Me One More Time
* Willie Nelson – Live and Kickin'
* Shania Twain – Up!

| [15]
2005 | Loretta Lynn | Van Lear Rose |

* Tim McGraw – Live Like You Were Dying
* Tiff Merritt – Tambourine
* Keith Urban – Be Here
* Gretchen Wilson – Here for the Party

| [16]
2006 | Alison Krauss & Union Station | Lonely Runs Both Ways |

* Faith Hill – Fireflies
* Brad Paisley – Time Well Wasted
* Gretchen Wilson – All Jacked Up
* Trisha Yearwood – Jasper County

| [17]
2007 | Dixie Chicks | Taking the Long Way |

* Alan Jackson – Like Red on a Rose
* Little Big Town – The Road to Here
* Willie Nelson – You Don't Know Me: The Songs of Cindy Walker
* Josh Turner – Your Man

| [18]
2008 | Vince Gill | These Days |

* Dierks Bentley – Long Trip Alone
* Tim McGraw – Let It Go
* Brad Paisley – 5th Gear
* George Strait – It Just Comes Natural

| [19]
2009 | George Strait | Troubadour |

* Jamey Johnson – That Lonesome Song
* Patty Loveless – Sleepless Nights
* Randy Travis – Around the Bend
* Trisha Yearwood – Heaven, Heartache and the Power of Love

| [20]
2010 | Taylor Swift | Fearless |

* Zac Brown Band – The Foundation
* George Strait – Twang
* Keith Urban – Defying Gravity
* Lee Ann Womack – Call Me Crazy

| [21]
2011 | Lady Antebellum | Need You Now |

* Dierks Bentley – Up on the Ridge
* Zac Brown Band – You Get What You Give
* Jamey Johnson – The Guitar Song
* Miranda Lambert – Revolution

| [22]
2012 | Lady Antebellum | Own the Night |

* Jason Aldean – My Kinda Party
* Eric Church – Chief
* Blake Shelton – Red River Blue
* George Strait – Here for a Good Time
* Taylor Swift – Speak Now

| [23]
2013 | Zac Brown Band | Uncaged |

* Hunter Hayes – Hunter Hayes
* Jamey Johnson – Living for a Song: A Tribute to Hank Cochran
* Miranda Lambert – Four the Record
* The Time Jumpers – The Time Jumpers

| [24]
2014 | Kacey Musgraves | Same Trailer Different Park |

* Jason Aldean – Night Train
* Tim McGraw – Two Lanes of Freedom
* Blake Shelton – Based on a True Story...
* Taylor Swift – Red

| [25]
2015 | Miranda Lambert | Platinum |

* Dierks Bentley – Riser
* Eric Church – The Outsiders
* Brandy Clark – 12 Stories
* Lee Ann Womack – The Way I'm Livin'

| [26]
2016 | Chris Stapleton | Traveller |

* Sam Hunt – Montevallo
* Little Big Town – Pain Killer
* Ashley Monroe – The Blade
* Kacey Musgraves – Pageant Material

| [27]
2017 | Sturgill Simpson | A Sailor's Guide to Earth |

* Brandy Clark – Big Day in a Small Town
* Loretta Lynn – Full Circle
* Maren Morris – Hero
* Keith Urban – Ripcord

| [28]
2018 | Chris Stapleton | From A Room: Volume 1 |

* Kenny Chesney – Cosmic Hallelujah
* Lady Antebellum – Heart Break
* Little Big Town – The Breaker
* Thomas Rhett – Life Changes

| [29]
2019 | Kacey Musgraves | Golden Hour |

* Kelsea Ballerini – Unapologetically
* Brothers Osborne – Port Saint Joe
* Ashley McBryde – Girl Going Nowhere
* Chris Stapleton – From A Room: Volume 2

| [30]
2020 | Tanya Tucker | While I'm Livin' |

* Eric Church – Desperate Man
* Reba McEntire – Stronger Than the Truth
* Pistol Annies – Interstate Gospel
* Thomas Rhett – Center Point Road

| [31]
2021 | Miranda Lambert | Wildcard |

* Ingrid Andress – Lady Like
* Brandy Clark – Your Life Is a Record
* Little Big Town – Nightfall
* Ashley McBryde – Never Will

| [32]
2022 | Chris Stapleton | Starting Over |

* Brothers Osborne – Skeletons
* Mickey Guyton – Remember Her Name
* Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall & Jack Ingram – The Marfa Tapes
* Sturgill Simpson – The Ballad of Dood and Juanita

| [33]
2023 | Willie Nelson | A Beautiful Time |

* Luke Combs – Growin' Up
* Miranda Lambert – Palomino
* Ashley McBryde – Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville
* Maren Morris – Humble Quest

| [34]
2024 | Winner TBA on 4 February 2024 |  |

* Kelsea Ballerini – Rolling Up the Welcome Mat
* Brothers Osborne – Brothers Osborne
* Zach Bryan – Zach Bryan
* Tyler Childers – Rustin' in the Rain
* Lainey Wilson – Bell Bottom Country

| [35]

^[I] Each year is linked to the article about the Grammy Awards held that year.

## Artists with multiple wins[edit]

4 wins

* Dixie Chicks

3 wins

* Chris Stapleton

2 wins

* Lady Antebellum
* Miranda Lambert
* Kacey Musgraves
* Roger Miller

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## Artists with multiple nominations[edit]

8 nominations

* Trisha Yearwood

7 nominations

* Miranda Lambert (1 with Pistol Annies)

6 nominations

* Willie Nelson

5 nominations

* George Strait

4 nominations

* Dixie Chicks
* Little Big Town
* Vince Gill
* Faith Hill
* Alan Jackson
* Tim McGraw
* Chris Stapleton

3 nominations

* Dierks Bentley
* Zac Brown Band
* Eric Church
* Brandy Clark
* Jamey Johnson
* Lady Antebellum
* Patty Loveless
* Ashley McBryde
* Kacey Musgraves
* Taylor Swift
* Shania Twain
* Keith Urban
* Lee Ann Womack
* Dwight Yoakam

2 nominations

* Jason Aldean
* Asleep at the Wheel
* Chet Atkins
* Brothers Osborne
* Johnny Cash
* Alison Krauss
* Lyle Lovett
* Loretta Lynn
* Reba McEntire
* Roger Miller
* Maren Morris
* Brad Paisley
* Dolly Parton
* Jim Reeves
* Thomas Rhett
* Blake Shelton
* Sturgill Simpson
* Hank Williams Jr.
* Gretchen Wilson
* Ashley Monroe (1 with Pistol Annies)

|
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## See also[edit]

* Grammy Award for Album of the Year

## References[edit]

General

* "Past Winners Search". National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Retrieved March 4, 2011. Note: User must select the "Country" category as the genre under the search feature.
* "Grammy Awards: Best Country Album". Rock on the Net. Retrieved July 12, 2010.

Specific

1. ^ "Grammy Awards at a Glance". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
2. ^ "Overview". National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on January 3, 2011. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
3. ^ "66th Grammy Rules and Guidelines Book". www.grammy.com. November 12, 2024.
4. ^ "1964 Grammy Awards". Retrieved December 9, 2011.
5. ^ "1965 Grammy Awards". Retrieved December 9, 2011.
6. ^ "The 37th Grammy Nominations". Los Angeles Times. January 6, 1995. p. 2. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
7. ^ "List of Grammy nominees". CNN. January 4, 1996. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
8. ^ Campbell, Mary (January 8, 1997). "Babyface is up for 12 Grammy awards". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
9. ^ "40th Annual Grammy Award Nominations". Digital Hit. Archived from the original on August 7, 2011. Retrieved December 9, 2011.
10. ^ "1999 Grammy Nominees". NME. IPC Media. November 27, 1998. Archived from the original on October 11, 2012. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
11. ^ "42nd Annual Grammy Awards nominations". CNN. January 4, 2000. Archived from the original on July 22, 2012. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
12. ^ "43rd Grammy Awards". CNN. February 21, 2001. Archived from the original on November 6, 2008. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
13. ^ "Complete List Of Grammy Nominees". CBS News. January 4, 2002. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
14. ^ "45 Grammy Nom List" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 26, 2012.
15. ^ "They're All Contenders". The New York Times. December 5, 2003. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
16. ^ "Grammy Award nominees in top categories". USA Today. Gannett Company. February 7, 2005. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
17. ^ "The Complete List of Grammy Nominations". The New York Times. December 8, 2005. p. 1. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
18. ^ "49th Annual Grammy Awards Winners List". National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on December 20, 2006. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
19. ^ "Grammy 2008 Winners List". MTV. February 10, 2008. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
20. ^ "Grammy 2009 Winners List". MTV. February 8, 2009. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
21. ^ "The 52nd Annual Grammy Awards Nominees List". National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on June 18, 2010. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
22. ^ "53rd Annual Grammy Awards nominees list". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
23. ^ "2011 – 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards Nominees And Winners: Country Field". The Recording Academy. November 30, 2011.
24. ^ "2012 – 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards Nominees And Winners: Country Field". The Recording Academy. December 5, 2011.
25. ^ 2015 Nominees
26. ^ "2014 Nominees" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on December 16, 2013. Retrieved December 8, 2013.
27. ^ "2014 Nominees" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on December 16, 2013. Retrieved December 8, 2013.
28. ^ "Grammys 2017: Complete list of winners and nominees". Los Angeles Times. February 12, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2017.[permanent dead link]
29. ^ "Grammy Awards Winners List: Updating Live". Variety. January 28, 2018. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
30. ^ Grammy.com, 7 December 2018
31. ^ "2020 GRAMMY Awards: Complete Winners List". GRAMMY.com. November 20, 2019.
32. ^ "2021 GRAMMYs Awards Show: Complete Winners List". GRAMMY.com. November 24, 2020.
33. ^ "2022 GRAMMYs Awards: Complete Nominations List". GRAMMY.com. November 23, 2021.
34. ^ "2023 GRAMMYs Awards Show: Complete Winners & Nominations List". GRAMMY.com. November 16, 2022.
35. ^ "2024 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Full Nominees List | GRAMMY.com". www.grammy.com. Retrieved November 12, 2023.

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Grammy Award categories

General|

* Album of the Year
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Children's, Comedy,
Audio Book Narration & Storytelling,
Visual Media & Music Video/Film|

* Best Children's Album
* Best Comedy Album
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* Best Orchestral Performance
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Country & American Roots|

* Best Country Album
* Best Country Song
* Best Country Solo Performance
* Best Country Duo/Group Performance
* Best Americana Album
* Best American Roots Song
* Best Americana Performance
* Best American Roots Performance
* Best Bluegrass Album
* Best Folk Album
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* Best Regional Roots Music Album

Gospel & Contemporary Christian|

* Best Gospel Album
* Best Contemporary Christian Music Album
* Best Roots Gospel Album
* Best Gospel Performance/Song
* Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song

Jazz, Traditional Pop,
Contemporary Instrumental & Musical Theater|

* Best Jazz Vocal Album
* Best Alternative Jazz Album
* Best Latin Jazz Album
* Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album
* Best Jazz Instrumental Album
* Best Contemporary Instrumental Album
* Best Jazz Solo Performance
* Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
* Best Musical Theater Album

Latin, Global, African, Reggae
& New Age, Ambient or Chant|

* Best Latin Pop Album
* Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album
* Best Tropical Latin Album
* Best Música Urbana Album
* Best Música Mexicana Album (including Tejano)
* Best Reggae Album
* Best Global Music Album
* Best New Age, Ambient Or Chant Album
* Best Global Music Performance
* Best African Music Performance

Package, Notes & Historical|

* Best Historical Album
* Best Album Notes
* Best Recording Package
* Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package

Pop & Dance/Electronic|

* Best Pop Vocal Album
* Best Dance/Electronic Album
* Best Pop Solo Performance
* Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
* Best Dance/Electronic Recording
* Best Pop Dance Recording

Production, Engineering,
Composition & Arrangement|

* Producer of the Year, Classical
* Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical
* Best Immersive Audio Album
* Best Instrumental Composition
* Best Engineered Album, Classical
* Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical
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* Best Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals

R&B, Rap and Spoken Word Poetry|

* Best R&B Album
* Best Progressive R&B Album
* Best Rap Album
* Best Spoken Word Poetry Album
* Best R&B Performance
* Best Traditional R&B Performance
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* Best R&B Song
* Best Rap Song

Rock, Metal & Alternative|

* Best Rock Album
* Best Rock Song
* Best Rock Performance
* Best Metal Performance
* Best Alternative Music Album
* Best Alternative Music Performance

Special Awards|

* Lifetime Achievement Award
* Trustees Award
* Legend Award
* Grammy Hall of Fame
* MusiCares Person of the Year

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