A Call for the Grammys to Recognize Traditional Country Music

At La Honda Records, we believe in making good music. We don't do it for awards, but helping our artist be heard by as many folks as possible is what we do.

For some time now, our owners have been in discussions with folks from the Grammys about the need for a new category that truly reflects traditional country music. Right now, the Grammys recognize country music with a general “Best Country Album” award, but many traditional country albums end up being placed in categories like Americana, Roots, Folk, or Bluegrass. While those genres have their own rich histories, they don’t quite capture the heart and sound of true traditional country music.

That’s why we are proposing the addition of a “Best Traditional Country Album” category. This would create a dedicated space for artists who uphold the storytelling, instrumentation, and authenticity that define traditional country music. Rather than competing in broader categories that don’t quite fit, these albums would have a home that truly represents their artistry.

If this category were approved, it would provide a more fair playing field for the hardworking country musicians we all know and love. It would allow these artists a real chance to be recognized and would help introduce the greater music community to the incredible albums being released in this genre. Whether or not you support award shows, I hope we can all agree that traditional country music deserves a fighting chance.

If you would like to support this effort, we're asking for the community to sign our petition. You won’t have to do anything else – just send me a message and let’s work together to give traditional country music the recognition it deserves.

Thank you for being part of this movement.