The 2021 Grammy Awards took place on Sunday, March 14, and resulted in several country artists walking away with brand-new trophies, including Miranda Lambert, who won the award for Best Country Album, for Wildcard.
“We are such a family in country music, so I feel like holding this right now, I’m holding this for all of us,” Lambert said after winning in a category that also included Little Big Town, Ingrid Andress, Ashley McBryde and Brandy Clark. “Especially us girls. I’m very thankful for this. I’m thankful for Jay Joyce, who had three albums in this category … and all the songwriters and musicians, who made Wildcard what it is.”
Dan + Shay won Best Country Duo/Group Performance, for their “10,000 Hours” collaboration with Justin Bieber, and were clearly stunned by their win.
“Thank you so much to our fans,” Dan Smyers said. “To Justin’s fans, to country radio, to radio for playing this song, the Academy, everybody who voted for us, it truly means the world.”
THANK Y’ALL SO MUCH FOR THIS 😭@RecordingAcad @justinbieber pic.twitter.com/b5ltKCr2nr
— Dan + Shay (@DanAndShay) March 15, 2021
Natalie Hemby, Brandi Carlile and Lori McKenna won Best Country Song, for The Highwomen‘s “Crowded Table.”
“All I can say is that I am honored, humbled and thankful,” McKenna said on social media after the winner was revealed.. “I had no thought in my mind that we would win. Surrounded by my kids and our dogs, I am stunned and totally in shock. Love you.”
Vince Gill won the Grammy for Best Country Solo Performance, for his song, “When My Amy Prays,” written about his wife, Amy Grant. Although Gill has yet to speak about his win, which marks his 22nd Grammy, he has shared the story behind the tender song.
“It’s just a testament to how much I care about her, how dear she is to me and my life,” Gill told CMT. “Her kindness is how she leads her life, and it’s the first thing you ever notice, the first thing you ever experience, and it’s kind of unending … I was very surprised it got nominated for a Grammy. It was not a hit song. But if you really understand the history of the Grammys, they’re not always nominating what the biggest records were and who the biggest stars were. They go and find things they like. It just feels great.”
Zach Williams and Dolly Parton also won a Grammy Award, for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance. This marks the second year in a row Parton won in this category. She also won in 2020 for her collaboration with For KING & COUNTRY, with “God Only Knows.”
“Thank you Jesus, thank you [Zach Williams], and thank you to the GRAMMYs and all of our fans. I am very humbled but proud.”
Thank you Jesus, thank you @zachwilliams, and thank you to the GRAMMYs and all of our fans. I am very humbled but proud. pic.twitter.com/biXJ98iGcq
— Dolly Parton (@DollyParton) March 14, 2021
