The Americana Awards took place at the storied Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on September 21, 2016.

Jim Lauderdale, the show's longtime host, received the Americana Music Association's WagonMaster Award, which has only been given out once before, to Porter Wagoner. George Strait, who has recorded several of Lauderdale's songs over the years, presented him with the award. "When George was cutting those songs years ago...really, George, you were the reason I could make a living, so thank you," said an emotional Lauderdale. The two then performed "King of Broken Hearts," a song Lauderdale wrote about George Jones and Gram Parsons.

A few cool b/w photos from rehearsals.....