It’s been more than 60 years since Willie Nelson released his debut album, and he is more successful and more respected today than he was more than half a century ago. Nelson is not just a successful country artist or singer-songwriter, but one of the greatest living legends in any genre.
These days, he continues to churn out about an album a year, and the Recording Academy often honors his late-career work with nominations — and occasionally, a win here and there. The country favorite is surely celebrating again, as he earns two nods this time around. The patriarch of a musical family also has another reason to be excited, as one of his own children is up for an award as well — though the two will have to compete against one another for music’s top honor.
Willie and Lukas Nelson Face Off for the Same Grammy
Both Willie Nelson and his son Lukas Nelson are up for Best Traditional Country Album. The elder of the two sees Oh, What a Beautiful World earn a nod, while the younger’s American Romance is also a competitor.
One of the New Grammy Categories
While both Willie and Lukas are respected in the country world, neither has been up for Best Traditional Country Album before. In fact, nobody has. This is the first year that the Recording Academy will be giving out this prize.
After Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter claimed Best Country Album at the 2025 ceremony — and then later in the night, Album of the Year — the music industry organization decided to split the field. Now there are two Grammys for country full-lengths: Best Traditional Country Album and Best Contemporary Country Album.
How Many Times Has Willie Nelson Been Nominated for the Best Country Album Grammy?
Despite his lengthy career, Willie Nelson didn’t earn his first nomination for Best Country Album until 2002 with Rainbow Connection. He has found himself in the running for that now-defunct honor half a dozen times. The elder Nelson even claimed the trophy just two years back with A Beautiful Time, earning his first Best Country Album prize.
Willie Nelson’s Two Grammy Nominations
Including these two new nods – Nelson is also up for Best Americana Album for Last Leaf on the Tree – the superstar has scored a total of 59 nominations and has collected an even dozen prizes, including, most recently, a pair in 2023. Nelson first became a Grammy winner almost exactly 50 years ago when “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” claimed Best Male Country Vocal Performance way back in 1976.
Has Lukas Nelson Ever Been Nominated for a Grammy?
Lukas Nelson doubles his total number of Grammy nominations this year, and he’s hoping to keep his track record perfect. The singer-songwriter was previously up for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media less than a decade ago for his work on A Star Is Born, featuring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, which he went on to win.
Lukas Nelson’s First Solo Album Earns Grammy Love
The music industry shows its love for the younger Nelson by honoring his first completely solo album. For years, Nelson wrote and recorded music as the frontman of the band Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, though the group went on an indefinite hiatus in the summer of 2024. American Romance marks his first venture out on his own, and while it was not a major commercial success, clearly both the project and the musician himself have plenty of fans.
Competition from Margo Price, Zach Top and Charley Crockett
The first iteration of Best Traditional Country Album features five full-lengths, two of which come from the Nelsons. The father and son will have to beat Dollar a Day by Charley Crockett, Hard Headed Woman by Margo Price, and Ain’t in It for My Health from rising country favorite Zach Top.
The 2026 Grammy Awards will air live on both CBS and Paramount+ on Sunday, February 1, 2026.