Welcome to the 9TH Mississippi Music Awards!

Benefiting the Mississippi Music Foundation

18th APril 2026 - Save the Date

“Date and location to be announced”

Red Carpet Starts - 5pm

Mississippi Music Awards - Starts 6pm

 Sponsored by

Mercedes Benz of Memphis

CS Services - Heat & Air

Natural Bakeshop. com

Four Seasons Garden Center

Yarbrough Music

For those who like to be a part of or would like to be a sponsor of the 9th Mississippi Music Awards, please go to our contact page - we would love to hear from you. The event will take place on April, 2026, and we are currently seeking sponsors and volunteers to make it a success. Your support would be greatly appreciated.

Pour ceux qui aiment faire partie ou aimeraient être un sponsor des 9e Mississippi Music Awards, veuillez vous rendre sur notre page de contact, nous serions ravis d'avoir de vos nouvelles. Nous vous invitons à nous contacter pour en savoir plus sur les différentes possibilités de participation et de soutien à cet événement annuel célébrant la musique du Mississippi….

These are the Categories : 9th Mississippi Music Awards 

Best Male Jazz Artist   

Best Female Jazz Artist

Best Male Mississippi Country  

Best Female Mississippi Country

Best POP Artist

Best Mississippi Gospel

Best Christian Band

Best Mississippi Blues

Best Mississippi Alternative

Best Rock Artist

C L Shaddock Award

Christian Artist of The Year

Music Band of the Year

Artist of the Year

Female Artist of the Year    

Male Artist of the Year     

Best Rising Star of the Year

Song of the Year 

Best Media Network of the Year

Best Inspirational Rap of the Year

Duet of the Year

Singer/Songwriter of the Year

Best Radio Station of the Year

Peter Whitham Award -  Classical “Original “Composition

2025 - 2026 - World Wide Nominations

As we embark on the journey to celebrate the best in music industry, the Mississippi Music Foundation, Inc. is thrilled to announce the opening of the nomination period for the 2025 - 2026 cycle.

This is an exciting time for music enthusiasts and industry professionals alike, as we come together to recognize the exceptional talents that have graced our state's vibrant music scene. We encourage everyone to keep a close eye on our updates and take the opportunity to get to know the talented individuals who have been nominated for this prestigious honor.

The nomination process is now open, and we invite you to submit your recommendations for the artists, songwriters, producers,

2025 - 2026 - Mississippi Nominations

This is an exciting time for music enthusiasts and industry professionals alike, as we come together to recognize the exceptional talents that have graced our state's vibrant music scene. We encourage everyone to keep a close eye on our updates and take the opportunity to get to know the talented individuals who have been nominated for this prestigious honor.

The nomination process is continuing to be open, and we invite you to submit your recommendations for the artists, songwriters, producers, and other industry professionals who have made a significant impact on Mississippi's musical landscape. Your input is invaluable in ensuring that we celebrate the true champions of our state's rich musical heritage.

Stay tuned for further updates on the nomination process, the selection criteria, and the upcoming events that will showcase the remarkable talents of our nominees. Together, let's shine a spotlight on the remarkable individuals who continue to inspire and captivate music lovers across Mississippi and beyond.

2025 - 2026 - Nominations * ( Daily Updates )

Rick Jones - Artist of the Year - Song of the Year - “For the Heart” - C106 FM Radio Station Of the Year!

Brei Carter - Artist of the Year - Song of the Year “All Night Long's “ Singer/Songwriter of the Year

Bazma Najem - Best Pop Artist, - Artist of the Year, - Best Rising Star of the Year, Female Artist of the Year.

Jenne Anne feat. Dave Noe - Artist of the Year - Song of the Year “Sante Fe” - Singer/Songwriter of the Year
Debra Shultz - Artist of the Year - Song of the Year “it is finished “ 
Julianne Ankley - Artist of the Year - Song of the Year - “What Makes you Dance” - Songwriter of the Year

Kayla Favor - Artist of the Year - Song of the Year “Starlit”

Nikki Fernandez - 'Artist of the Year' - Song of the Year “Laugh till your Face Hurts” Rising Star of the Year

Ashleigh Lamport - Artist of the Year - Song of the Year “Back Way Home”

Christin Scott - Christian Artist of The Year - Artist of the Year - Song of the Year ' Bring Him Every Need'

Adria Hyde - Song of the Year “Suitcase in the Corner “ - Artist of the Year - Singer/Songwriter of the Year - Rising Star of the Year

Robbie & Tamie Smith - Duet of the Year - Song of the Year Song “ Mercy “ - Artist of the Year - Christian Artist of The Year  - Singer/songwriter of the Year - Best Rising Star of the Year

 Dimitris Nezis - Best Pop Artist - Best Male Artist - Artist Of the Year - Best Song of the Year "Not a Saint"
Jesse Cole James - Artist of the Year - Song of the Year - I’ve got a Mountain to Climb - Rising Star of the Year

Mickey Bole & Beth Golden - Duet of the Year - Singer/songwriter of the Year

Song of the Year 'Im Gonna Write a Song'

Garrett Oswalt - The Garrett Oswalt Band - Music Band of the Year - Best Male Mississippi Country

Vertreace - Best Rising Star of the Year - Female Artist of the Year

Tina Neumann - Songwriter of the Year - Song of the Year 'My Sweet Southern Girl'

Isable Gray - Artist of the year - Song of the Year ”Chasin Cowboy's” - Rising Star of the Year

Mike Dermody - Song of the Year ” I wish it was but it isn't”

Kenny J Wilkins - Best Artist Of The Year - Rising Star of the Year - Male Artist of the Year “You're A Woman”

Sam Pope - "Song of the Year  “Sovereign One's Song of the Year - Christian Artist of The Year - Singer/Songwriter of the Year
Keith Webster & The Gospel Echos of Florida -  Song of the Year - Christ is coming again'

Christian Artist of The Year 

Shawn Adam Williams - Male Artist of the Year

Brenda Sunshine - Artist of the Year - Song of the Year “The American Revival”
Queen Rella - Best Inspirational Rap of the Year -Song of the Year - Insipid

The Gatewood Singers - Best Christian Band -  Best Mississippi Gospel

Kandy Redd - Christian Artist of the Year - Female Artist of the Year  - Artist of the Year

Dawn Rix - Song of the Year - “Broken Pieces” - Artist of the Year

Gloria Weaver Rodriguez aka Gloria River - Country Blues Artist of the Year - Rising star of the Year - Song of the Year ”Movin On “Singer/ Songwriter of the Year

Susan Angeletti - Song of the Year “Song' got my Eyes on You” Artist of the Year -

Singer/Songwriter of the Year - Rising Star of the Year

Shawn Adam Williams - Male Artist of the Year

Lashell Spears - Artist of the year - Song of the Year “Cinderella” - Singer/Songwriter of the Year
Susan Angeletti - Song of the Year - “Don’t want your love” - Artist of the Year

Singer/Songwriter of the Year - Rising Star of the Year

Katrine Lunn - Artist of the Year - Song of the Year “I like your Vibe” - Singer/Songwriter of the Year -

Rising Star of the Year

Raleigh Wayne - Artist of the Year - Song of the Year ”If that ain't love” - Rising Star of the Year

Howard Decker - Artist of the Year

Flat River band - Song of the Year “Load the Wagon” - Artists of the Year - Songwriter of the Year

Kristin Pedderson - Artist of the Year - Song of the Year “Kiss Me Where it Hurts” - Rising star of the Year

Ellen Woloshin - Song of the Year “Lucky Star's” - Artists of the Year
Rosalie Hovencamp - Song of the Year “Surrender My Burden”

Michael Lusk - Artist of the Year - Song of the Year - “My Sweet Southern Girl”

Keith Camp - Song of the Year “Perfect Mess” - Songwriter of the Year

Sonny Creación - Best Inspirational Rap of the Year - Hip-Hop/Superficial BILOXI (album)

Latrell Knight - Song of the Year - Mississippi Neo Blues “ My Mistakes”

John Swain - Artist of the Year - Song of the Year “My Shoes Don't Match”
Bill Ashmore - Artist of the Year - Song of the Year “ Have a Drink on a Me” - Singer/Songwriter of the Year
Jerry Webb - C L Shaddock Award    

Paula Slow - Song of the Year “Hell don't stand a Chance's” - Artist of the Year - Singer/Songwriter of the Year

Debbie Kaublr - Artist of the Year - C L Shaddock Award  - Song of the Year “'You Don't Know”

Jacki Daniels - Artist of the Year - Song of the Year “Betcha you thinking about Me”

Singer/ Songwriter of the Year - Rising star of the Year

Rosemarie - Song of the Year “Since you let Me Go” - Artist of the year - Singer /Songwriter of the Year

Jenea Rogers - Song of the Year “Vices” Artist of the Year - Singer/Songwriter of the Year
All Nominations are subject to final review - 2025-2026

2024 - Nominations

Tim O'Brien and Darrell Scott - Walk Besides Me

Beverly Davis - “Take This Hurt off of Me”

Wilson Harris - Disguised

Sydney Irving - “ I Don’t want to Fight You”

The Sonny Wilsons - “Art of Letting Go “

Rick Revel - “Father of the Blues”

King Icy - “Steel Rappin’- “If I could feel”

Queen Rella- “Put N Wurk” “LANDMINE”

D&D Is King Icy & Queen Rella “Double Impact” - “Trailblazing”

Deceive Me - Dimitris Nezis feat Natalie Jean

John Gatewood - “Good Morning Jesus “

Bethany Caudill - “I"’ll Never Never Forget You”

Volume Five -  "What I Didn't Say,"

The Southern Outlaws Band - “One Hell of a Woman”

"Gary Guess - “If Tears Could Build a Stairway

- Mississippi Mason Honnoll - “Don’t Take Me Back”

Tom Foolery  - Best Mississippi Alternative

Daniel Spencer - “Who I Am - I’ve seen his Picture “

Chadwick Hervin Wooten - “Same Ol’ Star”

Ed Breedlove Back - “Torn Lovers “

Michael Breedlove - “ Living A Lie”

Gid Stuckey - Mississippi Stomp - “Shine”

Black Water Boogie - “Hey Virginia”

Song of the Year   - Shelby Parker - “Happy Now “

Song of the Year  - Bethany Caudill - “I’ll Never Never Forget You”

Song of the Year   - Clare Cunningham - I Swear

Song of the Year   - Gary Guess - "If Tears could Build a Stairway"

Song of the Year   - Good Morning Jesus - John Gatewood

Song of the Year    - Amy Jo  -  Five Minute Smoke Break

Song of the Year - Bob Ray - These are the Days

Song of the Year   - The Southern Outlaws Band - “One Hell of a Woman”

Song of the Year  - Alyssa Ruffin - ”The Sacrifice"

Song of the Year   - Mississippi Marshall “Hopper “ “Rendezvous with the Devil “

David Carr Jr. - Best Male Jazz Artist    

Sonny Thurnall - Artist Of The Year   Male Artist of the Year   

Alex Isom - Best Male Mississippi Country

Melissa Ellis - Best Female Jazz Artist 

Garrett Oswalt - Best Male Mississippi Country  - Music Band of the Year  - Male Artist of the Year   - Best Rising Star of the Year 

Amy Jo - Best Female Mississippi Country - Best Mississippi Alternative - Best Mississippi Blues 

Alyssa Ruffin - Best Female Mississippi Country 

Dimitris Nezis - Best PoP Artist Song of the Year  - Deceive - Male Artist of the Year  - Best Rising Star of the Year 

Shelby Parker - Best PoP Artist - Female Artist of the Year  - Best Rising Star of the Year 

Ed Breedlove - Best PoP Artist

Kandy Redd - City Over Yonder

Tom Foolery Band - Music Band of the Year

Gatewood Singers - Best Mississippi Gospel  - Best Christian Band  - Christian Artist of The Year 

Steven Ginn - Best Mississippi Gospel 

Wilson Harris / Disguised - C L Shaddock Award  Song of the Year  / Disguised

Rick Revel - “Hard Times in The Deep South” - Best Mississippi Blues 

Blind Mississippi Morris - Best Mississippi Blues 

Mississippi Marshall “Hopper “ - Best Mississippi Blues  - C L Shaddock Award 

Rust Bucket Roadies - Best Mississippi Blues 

Gary Guess - Best Mississippi Gospel  - Christian Artist of The Year 

The Southern Outlaws Band - Best Rock Artist

Wendy Burns - Best Female Jazz Artist 

Kandy Redd - Artist of The Year

Cliff Wheeler Band - Music Band of the Year 

Alyssa Ruffin - ”The Sacrifice" - Artist Of The Year - Female Artist of the Year  

Michael Breedlove - Artist Of The Year - Male Artist of the Year     

Jeff Fagan Jr - Artist of The Year Male Artist of the Year     

Bethany Caudill - Female Artist of the Year  

Sydney Irving - Female Artist of the Year  

Paul Childers - Male Artist of the Year     

John Gatewood - Male Artist of the Year   

Volunteers

Carol Smith

Ben & Tonia Marshall

Jason Gentry

Logan Phillips

Noah Powell

Joseph Allison

Kathryn Marshall

Allie Hartness

Elizabeth Jordan

Jared Powelson

Colin Davis

Joel Richardson