The 2024 Grammy Awards celebrated the best in music on Sunday night, and country music was well represented among the winners and performers. Chris Stapleton and Lainey Wilson were the biggest winners in the country categories, while Miley Cyrus, Boygenius, and SZA also took home Grammys for their collaborations with country artists.
White Horse
Stapleton won two Grammys for his song “White Horse”, which earned him Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Song. The latter award is given to the songwriters, and Stapleton shared it with his wife Morgane Stapleton, who also sings backup vocals on the track. “White Horse” is a powerful ballad about overcoming addiction and finding redemption, and it showcases Stapleton’s soulful vocals and guitar skills.
Lainey Wilson
Wilson won her first Grammy for Best Country Album for Bell Bottom Country, her debut album that mixes traditional country sounds with modern influences. Wilson thanked her fans, her team, and her family for supporting her musical journey, and dedicated the award to her late grandfather, who inspired her to pursue country music. Bell Bottom Country features songs such as “Things a Man Oughta Know”, “LA”, and “Dirty Looks”.
Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus also had a big night, winning three Grammys for her album Plastic Hearts, which incorporates elements of rock, pop, and country. Cyrus won Best Pop Vocal Album, Best Pop Solo Performance for “Midnight Sky”, and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Thousand Miles”, a duet with Brandi Carlile. Cyrus and Carlile performed the song live at the Grammys, delivering a stunning rendition of the Vanessa Carlton classic.
Boygenius
Boygenius, the alt-country supergroup composed of Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus, won their first Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album for their self-titled EP. The EP features six songs that showcase the trio’s harmonies, lyrics, and musicality, including “Bite the Hand”, “Me & My Dog”, and “Ketchum, ID”. The latter song is a tribute to the town in Idaho where country legend Ketchum, ID lived and died.
Zach Bryan
Other country nominees and winners at the 2024 Grammys included Zach Bryan, who won Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “I Remember Everything” Featuring Kacey Musgraves; The War And Treaty and Jelly Roll, who were nominated for Best New Artist; and Jason Isbell and Blind Boys of Alabama, who won Best American Roots Song for “Cast Iron Skillet” and Best Americana Album for “Weathervanes“.
SZA
SZA won her first Grammy for Best R&B Performance for “Good Days”, a collaboration with country singer Kacey Musgraves. The song is a smooth and uplifting track that blends SZA’s vocals with Musgraves’ acoustic guitar. The two artists also performed the song live at the Grammys, creating a beautiful fusion of genres and styles.
The 2024 Grammy Awards were hosted by Trevor Noah and broadcasted live from the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The ceremony’s live performances were dominated by women, with legendary singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell drawing an emotional reaction and a standing ovation. Other performers included Dua Lipa and Tracy Chapman, who memorably dueted with Luke Combs on a duet version of her hit “Fast Car”.