Willie Nelson and his son Lukas Nelson have made country music history with their nominations at the 2026 Grammy Awards, marking a rare father-and-son moment in the genre’s storied legacy.
The pair are both nominated for the Best Traditional Country Album award — a newly introduced category for 2026. The 92-year-old country legend’s latest album, Oh What a Beautiful World, will compete against 32-year-old Lukas’s debut solo project, American Romance, released in June.
While such family pairings are uncommon, this is not the first time a father and son have gone head-to-head at the Grammys. According to Rolling Stone, Julio Iglesias and Enrique Iglesias were both nominated for Best Latin Pop Album at the 1998 Grammy Awards — a rare generational crossover much like the Nelsons’ achievement this year.
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Willie and Lukas Nelson: A Legacy of Grammy Recognition
Willie Nelson is a 12-time Grammy Award winner with an extraordinary 57 nominations across his decades-long career. His 2024 record, Last Leaf on the Tree, has also earned a Best Americana Album nomination at the 2026 ceremony.
Lukas Nelson, meanwhile, is no stranger to Grammy success. He previously took home a Grammy in 2020 for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media for his contribution to A Star is Born, the acclaimed film soundtrack he helped produce and perform on alongside Lady Gaga.
The two have performed together numerous times over the years, including their celebrated appearance at the Willie Nelson & Family New Year concert at Austin City Limits Live in December 2018 — a performance that has since become symbolic of their enduring musical bond.
The Competition: Who Else is Nominated?
Joining the Nelsons in the race for Best Traditional Country Album are:
- Charley Crockett for Dollar a Day
- Margo Price for Hard Headed Woman
- Zach Top for Ain’t in It for My Health
The new category has been introduced to better distinguish between the different styles and sounds evolving within the country genre.
Why the Grammys Split the Country Album Category
The Recording Academy announced in June that the long-standing Best Country Album category would be divided into Best Contemporary Country Album and Best Traditional Country Album, ensuring that the awards reflect the full range of styles represented within modern country music.
“The Academy’s top priority is to represent the music community we serve each year,” said Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. in a statement. “That means listening carefully to our members to ensure our rules reflect today’s music and allow us to properly recognise as many deserving creators as possible.”
When to Watch the 2026 Grammy Awards
The 2026 Grammy Awards will be broadcast live from Los Angeles on 1 February and will air on CBS.
With both Willie and Lukas Nelson vying for the same award, this year’s ceremony promises an emotional milestone — one that could see the Nelson family etch an indelible mark on the history of country music.