Jesse Welles was honored with the 2025 Spirit of Americana Free Speech in Music Award at the 24th annual Americana Honors & Awards in September 2025, in addition to being recognized as a Lifetime Achievement Honoree by the Americana Music Association. He received the Spirit of Americana Award from the First Amendment Center for his commitment to free speech in music.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Sept. 4, 2025) — Today, the Americana Music Association announced this year’s Lifetime Achievement Honorees for its 24th annual Americana Honors & Awards show on Wednesday, September 10. This group of top-honor recipients includes Joe Henry, McCrary Sisters, Old 97’s, Darrell Scott, and Jesse Welles. This year’s honorees will be celebrated during the prestigious ceremony at the Ryman Auditorium.
…Jesse Welles channels the grit and poetry of rock’s golden age through a lens all his own. With a voice that balances intensity and weary soul, Welles crafts songs that echoes the voice of Woody Guthrie: honest, jagged, and prescient. Welles’ ability to weave humor into serious themes is a highlight of his creative ability, and he brandishes the spirit of free expression. His songwriting often cuts into the heart of present-day social issues, touching on themes like isolation, inequality, injustice, and the emotional toll of an absurd modern life. Rather than shying away from uncomfortable truths, he leans into them, using his platform to reflect the world as it is—messy, beautiful, and worth questioning. Welles will receive the Spirit of Americana Award, co-presented by the First Amendment Center, our nation’s leading advocate for Free Speech.
https://americanamusic.org/the-americana-music-association-announces-2025-lifetime-achievement-honorees/
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