The Grammy Awards will split the Best Country Album category into Best Contemporary Country Album and Best Traditional Country Album in 2026. This change acknowledges the genre's evolution and aims to celebrate its diverse styles.
The Recording Academy, led by CEO Harvey Mason Jr., recognizes the resurgence of traditional country. The new categories will allow for greater inclusion of artists. The Nashville industry's success, including artists like Beyoncé, Post Malone, and Shaboozey, highlights the need for these changes.
The Best Traditional Country Album will focus on traditional structures, instrumentation, and lyrics. The Contemporary category will encompass a broader range of sounds. Beyoncé's "Cowboy Carter" exemplifies the genre-bending nature of modern country. The new categories will offer a more accurate celebration of art.
Recent winners like Beyoncé, Lainey Wilson, and Willie Nelson will see the nominations further diversify. The Recording Academy also created categories like Best American Roots Performance to address disparities. The new country categories will offer a vibrant landscape.