Origins Music Group announces finalists across 18 categories, including Breland, Blanco Brown, K. Michelle, Nappy Roots, Pynk Beard, Gustavo Mioto and more ahead of Nov. 19 ceremony at Nashville’s Woolworth Theatre
Nationwide — Origins Music Group (OMG) has announced the finalists for the third annual Origins Impact Awards, returning Thursday, Nov. 19, 2026, to Nashville’s historic Woolworth Theatre. The evening will recognize artists, songwriters, producers, executives, creators, DJs, and community leaders helping shape the evolving landscape of Country Music, with two-time GRAMMY-nominated duo and multiple CMA Awards nominees The War and Treaty set to receive the inaugural Origins Vanguard Award.
Finalists across 18 categories span Traditional Country, Country Soul, Country Hip-Hop, Country Latin, Country Rock and more. This year’s field includes Breland, Blanco Brown, K. Michelle, Nappy Roots, Pynk Beard, The Boykinz, Gustavo Mioto, RVSHVD, Shy Carter, Kashus Culpepper, Camille Parker, The Kentucky Gentlemen, MŌRIAH, Angie K, Dalton Dover and many more.
“What makes the Origins Impact Awards special is that we aren’t asking artists to fit into one narrow definition of what Country Music is supposed to look or sound like,” said Corey Jones, CEO and co-founder of Origins Music Group. “These finalists represent the depth of talent that exists across Country Music today. They are building audiences, creating communities and showing just how expansive this music and its culture can be.”
The War and Treaty: Inaugural Origins Vanguard Award
The Origins Vanguard Award recognizes artists whose artistry, influence and impact have helped shape Country Music’s evolving landscape while opening doors and creating greater possibilities for others.
The War and Treaty, the husband-and-wife duo of Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter, have built a celebrated career spanning Country, Americana, soul and roots music. Emmy Award winners, two-time GRAMMY nominees and multiple CMA Awards nominees, the duo have earned national recognition for their musicianship, storytelling and unmistakable vocal chemistry.
As the first recipients of the Origins Vanguard Award, The War and Treaty embody the spirit behind the new honor: artists whose impact extends beyond their own success and whose work has expanded possibilities for the artists coming behind them.
“The Vanguard Award gives us an opportunity to recognize artists whose impact reaches beyond a single year,” Jones said. “The War and Treaty represent exactly what this honor was created to celebrate. Their artistry speaks for itself, but their journey has also opened doors, challenged expectations, and created space for artists who may not have always seen themselves reflected in Country Music.”
A Selection Process Built on Integrity
Finalists and winners of the Origins Impact Awards are determined through a multi-stage process that includes open nominations, review by an industry Screening Committee, voting by approved members of the Origins Voting Academy, and independent review and certification of the final results by an attorney.
“Our goal is to build an awards process that artists and the industry can trust,” Jones said. “Recognition means more when the people receiving it—and the community watching—can have confidence in how we got there.”
2026 ORIGINS IMPACT AWARDS FINALISTS
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Pynk Beard · Blanco Brown · 2’Live Bre · Kashus Culpepper
BEST COLLABORATIVE EFFORT
“Kids Like Us” — The Cowgays (Brooke Eden, Chris Housman & Adam Mac)
“Ain’t Have a Lot” — Nappy Roots & Pynk Beard
“Like A Bull” — Bavoh & Pynk Beard
“On My Radio” — Ana Cristina Cash with Jamey Johnson
COMMUNITY ADVOCATE
2’Live Bre · Eric Holt · Nina Teapot Owens · Rick Rodriguez
COUNTRY DUO/GROUP
The Boykinz · Nappy Roots · Butter & Grit · The Kentucky Gentlemen
COUNTRY HIP-HOP
2’Live Bre · RVSHVD · Cash Cortes · Bavoh
COUNTRY LATIN
Gustavo Mioto · Cash Cortes · MŌRIAH · Felipe e Rodrigo
COUNTRY ROCK
Magnolia Rising · Tristan McIntosh · Grayson Russell · Ollie Gabriel
COUNTRY SOUL
Pynk Beard · Kirk Jay · Kenny Sharp and Brown Liquor Music · EJ Jones
CREATOR / INFLUENCER
Debria Tyler · Radio Rodd · Fredy P · Brei Carter
DJ OF THE YEAR
DJ Smoke · Kiya Lacey · Elaina Smith · Dom J
EMERGING ARTIST
Buddy Red · Kenny Sharp · Butter & Grit · Dustin De La Garza
EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR
Mimi McCarley · Rick Rodriguez · Chantrel Reynolds · Romello Smith
INNOVATIVE PROJECT
The Cowgays · Healing Harmonies — Emma Grace Glover · Soul Country Music Star · Touched By Sun Fest
ORIGINS CHAMPION
Cris Lacy · Mia Jones · Willie “Prophet” Stiggers · Jackie Martinez Marushka
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Brandon Manley · Dubb-AA Aaron Lockhart · DJ Chill · Elektrohorse
SONG OF THE YEAR
“Ice on the Road” — Pynk Beard
“Southern Country Girl Part 2” — 2’Live Bre & The Boykinz
“Mine Lord Willing” — Pynk Beard
“Narco” — Cash Cortes
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Breland · Sebastian Kole (Pynk Beard) · Shy Carter · Cash Cortes
TRADITIONAL COUNTRY ARTIST
K. Michelle (Puddin) · Dalton Dover · Don Louis · Angie K
A Growing Nashville Industry Night
Now entering its third year, the Origins Impact Awards continue to grow as a national platform recognizing established artists alongside emerging talent, independent creators, executives and community leaders shaping Country Music’s future.
The 2026 ceremony represents the Awards’ most ambitious production to date, bringing together artists, creators and industry leaders for an evening centered on recognition, performance and impact. The evening will feature live performances, special presentations and appearances from artists and industry leaders, with performers, presenters and additional special guests to be announced.
The 2026 Origins Impact Awards take place Thursday, Nov. 19, 2026, at Woolworth Theatre in Nashville.
About Origins Music Group
Origins Music Group (OMG) is a Nashville-based music and entertainment organization creating platforms for artists, creators, and industry professionals, helping shape the evolving landscape of Country Music. Through live events, industry programming, artist development, strategic partnerships, and the annual Origins Impact Awards, OMG connects emerging and established talent with audiences, brands, and industry leaders while expanding opportunities for artists to be seen, heard, and recognized.
For more information about Origins Music Group and the 2026 Origins Impact Awards, visit OriginsMusicGroup.com
For press inquiries, contact Skhiya Gordon, Origins Music Group, at skhiya@omgmusicgroup.com/ 615-971-6700