11TH ANNUAL JOSIE MUSIC AWARDS AT THE GRAND OLE OPRY

The 11th Annual Josie Music Awards (JMA), recognized as the independent music industry’s most revered international honor , culminated in a spectacular ceremony on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at the historic Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee. Staged during the Opry’s 100th anniversary celebration , the event marked a powerful convergence of tradition and the future of music. Recognizing excellence from an unprecedented scale of over 75,000 global submissions , the night underscored the vitality and scale of the independent sector.

The top five awards celebrated standout talents across the fiercely competitive independent spectrum, affirming the JMA’s commitment to fairness across diverse genres. The high-profile Lifetime Career Achievement Award was presented to country music legend Lorrie Morgan by her son, Jesse Keith Whitley, immediately linking the independent movement with legacy artists. In the highly competitive Song of the Year – Jazz/Blues category, Derrick Dove & The Peacekeepers secured the win for their critically acclaimed Southern blues rock track, “Just Walk Away” . Dove commented that the award reflects “the passion in our music” and the theme of moving forward .

Further showcasing the JMA’s dedication to regional support, the Iowa-based Americana duo Weary Ramblers took home the Americana Song of the Year (Duo/Group/Collab) award . High honors were also bestowed in two major categories representing overall artistic scope: Entertainer of the Year (Multi-Genre) and Album of the Year (Country Rock). The rigorous judging process, managed by specialized industry professionals , ensures that every JMA victory is a highly coveted and hard-earned industry accolade, confirming the organization’s reputation for being “Honest, Fair, Highly Respected!” .

Founded by Josie Passantino-Boone and Tinamarie Passantino, the JMA was created to honor, recognize, and reward excellence in creativity, establishing a level of support unique in the music industry . The full event, hosted at the prestigious Opry House , featured performances from artists including Morgan, Carolina Rial, Tyler Dean McDowell, and Jasmine Cain. By utilizing country music’s most traditional stage , the JMA solidified its place as a professional and enduring force in music recognition. Submission forms for the 2026 nominations are scheduled to open on January 15th, 2026 , inviting all independent artists to “Chase Your Dreams – Be A Part of Something BIG!”.