These Country Singers Scored Big Wins at the Grammys

U.S. singer-songwriter Lainey Wilson poses in the press room with the Grammy for Best Country Album for "Bell Bottom Country" during the 66th Annual Grammy Awards at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Feb. 4, 2024. (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)

The 66th Annual Grammy Awards, hosted by Trevor Noah, aired on Feb. 4—marking one of the music industry’s biggest nights. The prestigious awards show proved especially fruitful for many country music stars, who took home several big wins.

Singer-songwriter Chris Stapleton won “Best Country Solo Performance” and “Best Country Song” during the pre-telecast ceremony for his song “White Horse.” Released in July 2023, the song, which was co-written by Dan Wilson, is the lead single from the Kentucky native’s fifth studio album, “Higher.”

Mr. Stapleton was not present at the awards ceremony but Mr. Wilson accepted the gold-plated trophy on his behalf.

Singer Lainey Wilson—who played a country crooner in season five of the western drama series “Yellowstone”—won “Best Country Album” for her fourth studio album, “Bell Bottom Country,” which was released in October 2022.

“This is absolutely wild, y’all,” Ms. Wilson said as she accepted the award, paying homage to her humble beginnings growing up on a farm in small-town Baskin, Louisiana. 

“I’m a fifth-generation farmer’s daughter, and I would consider myself a farmer, too. And everybody that I surround myself with, I think they’re farmers, too—they’re story farmers,” she shared. 

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“It’s about getting up every single day and planting those seeds and watering them and watching them grow,” the singer continued. “Sometimes, when you find the right farming community, you can have the harvest of a lifetime. I truly believe that, and I think that’s exactly what this is tonight.”

Other Singer-Songwriters Who Won Big

The award for “Best Country Duo/Group Performance” went to Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves for their song “I Remember Everything,” while Brandy Clark took the award for “Best Americana Performance” for her song “Dear Insecurity,” which features her duet partner Brandi Carlile.

“I want to thank my mom for always believing in me, whatever my crazy dreams have been,” Ms. Clark said during her acceptance speech. “Mostly, I want to thank Brandi Carlile for making this record with me and … championing so many of us.”

Jason Isbell, who hails from rural Alabama, and his backing band, The 400 Unit, also took home two trophies on Sunday.

The singer and actor—who appeared in Martin Scorsese’s 2023 film, “Killers of the Flower Moon”—won “Best American Roots Song” for “Cast Iron Skillet,” a song that is featured on his ninth studio album, “Weathervanes.”

Released in June 2023, the album also won Mr. Isbell—who was named the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Artist-in-Residence in 2017—the trophy for “Best Americana Album.”

Other notable winners at the 2024 Grammy Awards include John Carter Cash, Tommy Emmanuel, Markus Illko, Janet Robin, Roberto Luis Rodriguez, and arrangers, The String Revolution featuring Tommy Emmanuel—who won “Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella” for their song “Folsom Prison Blues.” Mr. Cash is the son of country music legend Johnny Cash and singer June Carter Cash.

Bluegrass vocalist Molly Tuttle’s fourth studio album, “City of Gold”—released in July 2023—was also named “Best Bluegrass Album.”

Country Music Stars Take the Stage

Country singers didn’t just mount the stage at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles to accept their respective awards. A chosen few also had the honor of performing.

Ms. Clark and Ms. Carlile performed “Dear Insecurity” during the pre-telecast portion of the event.

And, most notably, Luke Combs performed a moving duet with singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman. The duo sang Ms. Chapman’s iconic 1988 anthem, “Fast Car.”

The song was Ms. Chapman’s lead single from her self-titled debut album, “Tracy Chapman.” Released in April 1988, the album earned the singer three Grammy Awards in 1989 for “Best New Artist,” “Best Contemporary Folk Recording,” and “Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.” In total, she has been nominated for 13 Grammy Awards, of which she’s won four.

After covering the hit song at many of his live concerts, Mr. Combs eventually featured it on his fourth studio album, “Gettin' Old,” which debuted in March 2023.

After the cover’s release, Ms. Chapman won “Song of the Year” at the 2023 Country Music Awards, making her the first Black songwriter to win the award.

In a statement, she said: “It’s truly an honor for my song to be newly recognized after 35 years of its debut. Thank you to the CMA’s and a special thanks to Luke and all of the fans of ‘Fast Car.’” Mr. Comb’s cover also earned him a nomination at the 2024 Grammys for “Best Country Solo Performance.”

The duo’s riveting performance garnered them a massive standing ovation. It marked a momentous occasion for Ms. Chapman, who hadn’t given a live television performance in nine years.

Mr. Combs discussed the lasting impact Ms. Chapman’s song had on him during a video shared right before the pair took the stage. “That song, ‘Fast Car’, it was my favorite song before I even knew what a favorite song was,” he said. “It can be felt and related to by all kinds of people around the world.

“Tracy Chapman is such an icon, and one of the greatest artists that I think any of us will be along to see,” the country singer continued. “It’s just such a cool full-circle moment for me. Just to be associated with her in any way is super humbling for me.”