The Kelly Clarkson Show won outstanding daytime talk series at the 2026 Daytime Emmys on Friday (Oct. 30), though its star, Kelly Clarkson, lost outstanding daytime talk series host to Sherri Shepherd for Sherri.

Clarkson won in one or both of those categories in six of the show’s seven seasons on the air. She has won a total of nine Daytime Emmys in seven years – five in the talk series category and four for talk series host – compared to three Grammys in a recording career which has lasted more than 20 years. Clarkson wasn’t present at the ceremony, which was held at the Hollywood Palladium for the first time.

Clarkson recently made headlines for an incident at a curiosity shop in Brooklyn where she maintained that she was treated poorly. But “Birdgate” had no bearing on the outcome here. There is just one round of Daytime Emmy voting, which determines both the nominations and the eventual winner. That round closed on June 10, four months before the incident.

The Kelly Clarkson Show won three other awards this year – best directing for a daytime studio non-fiction series; outstanding sound mixing and sound editing for a live daytime program; and outstanding art direction/set decoration/scenic design for a daytime program.

Ray Chew won outstanding music direction and composition for a daytime program for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. His award was accepted by his wife, who explained that he was busy working on Dancing With the Stars. Chew has also served in music direction capacities on American Idol, Saturday Night Live, the Emmy Awards, the BET Awards and the Grammy Awards’ Premiere Ceremony.

Keke Palmer won her first Daytime Emmy – outstanding daytime short form program as producer of Glam Through the Ages. Palmer has won two Primetime Emmys, for Keke Palmer’s Turnt Up With the Taylors and the reboot of Password.

Tracee Ellis Ross won outstanding travel and adventure program for Solo Traveling With Tracee Ellis Ross. It’s her first Emmy Award (Daytime or Primetime) following six Primetime Emmy nods for ABC’s blackish. Ross’ legendary mom, Diana Ross, has yet to win an Emmy.

Off Script With The Hollywood Reporter won outstanding arts and popular culture program, beating a pair of programs produced by their sister brand, Variety – Variety & CNN Actors on Actors and Variety Studio: Actors on Actors.

Star Jones won her first Daytime Emmy in a 35-year TV career – outstanding daytime personality – daily for Divorce Court, which she won alongside Corey Jovan. Jones thanked two late legends who she described as “her two mentors – Johnnie Cochran, who taught me about justice, and Barbara Walters, who taught me to ask the tough question.”

General Hospital won outstanding daytime drama series for the sixth consecutive year – and 19th time overall, both records. Runner-up for most total wins in the category is The Young and The Restless, with 11 wins.

Genie Francis received a lifetime achievement award to celebrate her soon-to-be 50th anniversary playing Laura Spencer on General Hospital. Her co-star on that show, Anthony Geary, the other half of the Luke & Laura storyline which took daytime drama to new heights in the early 1980s, died in December 2025. He was remembered in the In Memoriam segment alongside critic Gene Shalit and such other actors as June Lockhart and Sally Kirkland.

This is the second year in a row that the Daytime Emmys didn’t air on linear TV. Instead, the ceremony streamed live on the NATAS YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@theemmys and watch.TheEmmys.tv.

The full list of winners is available on the Daytime Emmys’ website. Here are the nominees in the two talk show categories and other categories of special interest to the music community, with winners marked.

Outstanding Daytime Talk Series

3rd Hour of Today, NBC

The Drew Barrymore Show, CBS Media Ventures

WINNER: The Kelly Clarkson Show, NBCUniversal Syndication Studios

Live With Kelly and Mark, Disney Entertainment Distribution

Today With Jenna & Friends, NBC

The View, ABC

Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host

Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, Alyssa Farah Griffin, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin, and Ana Navarro — The View, ABC

Kelly Clarkson — The Kelly Clarkson Show, NBCUniversal Syndication Studios

Tamron Hall — Tamron Hall, Disney Entertainment Distribution

Jennifer Hudson — The Jennifer Hudson Show, Warner Bros. Television [Telepictures]

WINNER: Sherri Shepherd — Sherri, Debmar-Mercury

Outstanding Daytime Personality – Daily

Mona Kosar Abdi, Derek Hough, and Terri Seymour — Extra, Warner Bros. Television [Telepictures]

Cassie DiLaura, Denny Directo, Kevin Frazier, Rachel Smith, and Nischelle Turner — Entertainment Tonight, CBS Media Ventures

Scott Evans, Zuri Hall, Kit Hoover, and Mario Lopez — Access Hollywood, NBCUniversal Syndication Studios

WINNER: Star Jones & Corey Jovan — Divorce Court, FOX

Outstanding Daytime Personality – Non-Daily

Joy Behar, Alyssa Farah Griffin, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin, and Ana Navarro — The Weekend View, ABC News Live

Derrick Campana — The Wizard of Paws, BYUtv [Nomadica Films|The Dodo|Vox Media Studios]

WINNER: Giada De Laurentiis — Giada in My Kitchen, Prime Video [Butternut]

Keke Palmer — Glam Through the Ages, KeyTV Network

Joseph Rosendo — Joseph Rosendo’s Steppin’ Out, PBS [Joseph Rosendo Presents]

Eva zu Beck — Superskilled With Eva zu Beck, National Geographic

Outstanding Music Direction and Composition for a Daytime Program

Beyond the Gates, “Episode 103,” CBS; Music Supervisor: Ashley Neumeister; Music Composers: Daeus Cannon, Kurt Farquhar, Zuberi Mackson, and Joshua Mosley

Have Guitar Will Travel World, “The Shetland Sound,” American Public Television [Have Guitar Will Travel World, LLC]; Music Supervisors: Kevin Doherty and Andrea Engleson; Music Composers: Mark Allen and John Rodrigue

The Kelly Clarkson Show, “Episode 5033,” NBCUniversal Syndication Studios; Music Director: Jason Halbert

Let Frankie Cook, “Getting the Band Back Together,” Tastemade [Linguine Pictures]; Music Composer: Luke Celenza

WINNER: Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, NBC | Peacock [Done & Dusted]; Music Director: Ray Chew

Outstanding Sound Mixing and Sound Editing for a Prerecorded Daytime Program

Bare Feet with Mickela Mallozzi, “Wild Atlantic Way North, Ireland,” PBS [Sauce & Liver Productions, LLC]; Production Mixer: Daniel Gaughran; Sound Editor: Jenna Escalera

Dream of Europe, “London Part 1 with Abbey Road Studios,” PBS [Dream of Italy Productions, LLC]; Production Mixer: Jeff Ingram Watson; Re-Recording Mixer: Jonathan Taft; Sound Editor: Chuck Barney Smith

Expedition Unknown, “The Man-Eating Lions of Kenya,” Discovery Channel [Ping Pong Productions]; Re-Recording Mixer: Ian Howard; Sound Supervisors: Mike Curtis and Freddie DiPasquale; Supervising Sound Editor: David Miraglia

Forever Young with Dr. Pablo Prichard, “Wheel of Age,” NBC [Hearst Media Production Group | Agency X]; Supervising Sound Editor: David Barnett

WINNER: Long Way Home, “Lost in Lapland,” Apple [Long Way Productions]; Re-Recording Mixer: Tristan Powell; Sound Supervisor: Tim Boylan; Sound Editors: Will Chapman and Patrick Fripp; Dialogue Editor: Claire Ellis

Outstanding Sound Mixing and Sound Editing for a Live Daytime Program

The Bold and the Beautiful, “Episode 9658,” CBS [Bell-Phillip TV Productions, Inc.]; Production Mixers: J. Aaron Lepley and Tommy Persson; Boom Operators: David Golba and Justin LaMont; Re-Recording Mixer: Brian Connell

The Jennifer Hudson Show, “Episode 4039,” Warner Bros. Television [Telepictures]; Audio Supervisor: Mike Stock; Music Mixer: Josue Pena; PA Mixers: Phil Gebhardt and Tig Moore; A2s: Liza Tan and Ron Thompson; Boom Operator / Band A2: Isaiah Reyes; Monitor Mixers: Liz Cabral and Carlos Torres

WINNER: The Kelly Clarkson Show; “Episode 5007”; NBCUniversal Syndication Studios; Music Mixer: Robert Venable; Front of House Mixer: Omatali Beckett; Associate Music Producer: Rachel Orscher; Audio Supervisor/ Production Mixer: James Slanger; Monitor Mixer: Bob Lewis; Music A2: Bryon Smith; Production A2s: Rebecca Malsburry and Rosa Howell Thornhill

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, NBC | Peacock [Done & Dusted]; Production Mixers: Greg Acker, Paul Adams, John Ariz, Jay Carrie, Mel Cubero, Frank Duca, Will Finan, Brian Flanzbaum, Josh Flower, Ricardo Gomez, Burton Ishmael, Ultan Molloy, Efrain “Alex” Ortega, Chris Prinzivalli, Alex Raytses, Brian Ready, Sasha Rosario, Tayler Stendel, Ryan Stotts, Yuri Suzuki, Al Theurer, Gianluca Trombetta, and Dave Winslow; Audio Supervisors: David Chessman, Steven Giampaolo, and John Karwecki; Pre-Production Mixer: Katie Reif; Music Mixers: Charles Campbell, Michael Cruz, Michael Fortunato, Peter Gary, Carl Glanville, Mike Hetzel, and Joel Singer; Front of House Mixers: Chris Acker, Jack M. Goodwin, KC Hoffman, Robert Lapp, Jorge Silva, and David Swanson; PA Mixers: Jim Van Bergen and Bob Selitto; A2: Amanda Wong

The Young and the Restless, “Episode 13260,” CBS [Sony Pictures Television]; Production Mixer: Andrzej Warzocha; Post-Production Mixer: Dean Johnson; Boom Operators: Joseph Lawrence and Giovanni Meza; Audio Assists: Godofredo Galvez and Gereald Rojo II; RF Operator: Denise Palm Stones

Outstanding Arts and Popular Culture Program

Beyond the Gates: Welcome to the Neighborhood, An Entertainment Tonight Special, CBS Media Ventures

WINNER: Off Script With The Hollywood Reporter, The Hollywood Reporter [IFC]

Variety & CNN Actors on Actors, CNN Digital|Variety

Variety Studio: Actors on Actors, PBS

Working in the Theatre, AmericanTheatreWing.org

Outstanding Entertainment News Series

Access Hollywood, NBCUniversal Syndication Studios

WINNER: Entertainment Tonight, CBS Media Ventures

Extra, Warner Bros. Television [Telepictures]

Outstanding Daytime Special

Critics Choice 2nd Annual Celebration of LBGTQ+ Cinema & Television, Here TV

Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade, ABC [Disney Yellow Shoes Studio|Film 45|EverWonder Studio]

Living Proof, Hulu [The DIVA Foundation|Shivelight LLC|Zables & Associates]

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, NBC|Peacock [Done & Dusted]

WINNER: Unleashing Hope: The Power of Service Dogs for Children with Autism, Hulu [NY27 Productions|Shivelight LLC|Zables & Associates]

Outstanding Daytime Short Form Program

Catalyst, LinkedIn News

WINNER: Glam Through the Ages, Key TV Network

Most-Ordered, Eater

The Path with Ryan Roslansky, LinkedIn News

Stand Up and Do Something with Michael Jr., BYUtv [Monument Pictures]

Outstanding Travel and Adventure Program

Expedition Unknown, Discovery Channel [Ping Pong Productions]

Long Way Home, Apple [Long Way Productions]

The Lovely Lemurs of Madagascar, Pets.TV [Allen Media Group]

WINNER: Solo Traveling With Tracee Ellis Ross, Roku [Joy Mill Ent.|Story Syndicate|Artists First]

Superskilled With Eva zu Beck, National Geographic

The numbers are in: The 2026 Billboard Latin Music Awards was a No. 1 hit.

Presented Thursday, Oct. 22, the annual celebration of Latin music enjoyed a “strong multiplatform performance,” broadcaster Telemundo reports, to rank No. 1 in Spanish-language television for the 7pm-11pm primetime spot.

The broadcaster averaged 335,000 adults (18-49) and 1.1 million total viewers, according to data provided by Nielsen, peaking at 8:30pm with 400,000 adults (18-49) and 1.2 million total viewers.

At the same time, Telemundo’s digital platforms and social channels captured 306 million total views, up 57% from the 2025 edition, with fans watching a combined 29.7 million minutes, a 41% gain against 2025.

The 2026 Billboard Latin Music Awards also powered “significant social engagement,” according to Talkwalker Social Content Ratings, for a No. 1 ranking across all TV in total social video views and the leading broadcast program of the day, regardless of language. Facebook, TikTok and Instagram led the way, while on YouTube, viewing minutes more than doubled (+101% vs. 2025), fueled by expanded livestream coverage.

With eight awards, plus the Billboard Vanguard Award, Fuerza Regida was the big winner at the 2026 Billboard Latin Music Awards. Although not present, Bad Bunny was close behind with seven trophies, while Karol G, Peso Pluma and Romeo Santos won four each. Rosalía, Tito Double P and Prince Royce each took home three.

The ceremony aired live on Telemundo and Peacock from James L. Knight Center in Miami, FL, and featured 47 categories spanning major Latin music genres such as pop, tropical, Latin rhythm and regional Mexican. Additionally, for the first time fans had a historic opportunity to choose one of the night’s winners through a new award, Fan Favorite Artist, which went to Karol G.

During the show, Cristian Castro was saluted with the Billboard Lifetime Achievement Award for his enduring and exceptional career; and Rubén Blades received the Billboard Icon Award, celebrating his timeless career in Latin music.

Since 1970, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame has honored more than 250 of Music City’s top weavers of words and melodies, recognizing their talent, songcraft, and enduring impact on musical culture by welcoming them as members.

On Monday night (Oct. 26), the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame welcomed six new members into its ranks, when the 56th annual Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala was held at Music City Center. Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame executive director Mark Ford and Board chair Rich Hallworth ushered in the evening by welcoming the audience.

Taylor Swift joined the Hall’s Class of 2026 in the songwriter-artist category. Her fellow honorees were J.I. Allison (in the legacy category), Bruce Channel (veteran songwriter category), Lyle Lovett (veteran songwriter-artist category), and Shawn Camp and Lee Thomas Miller (both in the songwriter category).

Brad Paisley inducted Swift (“at your core, you’re a songwriter,” Paisley told Swift) while Lainey Wilson honored Swift with a rendition of Swift’s “Love Story.” Swift reflected on the meaning behind the words Nashville, songwriters and fame.

“I knew from the time I wrote my first song that even if it couldn’t be my career, it would be my passion,” she told the audience. “It would be what I centered my entire life around.” She recalled being a teen just starting her career, balancing school and songwriting, and how working with writers and producers including Liz Rose and Nathan Chapman helped her further refine her songwriting skills.

“I think you truly learn a craft when you do it over and over and over,” Swift said. “And that is what the magnificent songwriters that work in this amazing town do.” She said the Nashville’s songwriters “in a lot of ways, raised me and guided me through my formative years.”

Her induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, at a gala held in downtown Nashville, comes just after the 20-year anniversary of the release of Swift’s debut album, which included her first hits such as “Tim McGraw,” “Picture To Burn” and “Teardrops on My Guitar.” She gave credit to Nashville’s songwriting community for helping her develop the ability to traverse various musical styles, collaborations and approaches to writing throughout her career.

“The only reason that I’ve been able to have that kind of dexterity in my creative process is because of the fundamentals and the foundation that I learned here in Nashville,” Swift said. “And I never forget that for a single second.”

Journalist/music historian Robert K Oermann recognized Allison, known for penning classic songs such as “That’ll Be The Day” and “Peggy Sue.” BR5-49 frontman Chuck Mead performed a rendition of “That’ll Be The Day,” while Joanie Allison accepted the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame honor on behalf of her late husband. “Today is your day,” she said.

Kix Brooks honored inductee Channel, known for songs including John Conlee’s “As Long As I’m Rockin’ With You.” Lee Roy Parnell performed a rendition of Channel’s Billboard Hot 100 hit “Hey! Baby.”

“He was multi-faceted in his writing,” Brooks recalled of first getting to know Channel. Meanwhile, Channel thanked many in the Nashville community for their contributions to his career, including music publishing executive Don Gant, saying, “He helped everybody he came across,” and recalling how Gant helped him get the song “Party Time” recorded by T.G. Sheppard; the song became a No. 1 country hit.

The evening also saw George Strait honored with the career maker award. During Strait’s more than four decades in the country music spotlight, he has recorded 264 songs written or co-written by 72 Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame members—44 of whom were not in the Hall when he first cut their songs.

After members of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame had taken the stage, Strait joined them, led by Dean Dillon, and thanked them for their music.

“First of all, congratulations to the new 2026 Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees,” Strait said, before going on to note that he felt that receiving an accolade called a career-maker award seemed “turned around…’cause they made my career. I didn’t make theirs. That’s the way I see it…Nashville has shown me a lot of love over the years…I’ve always loved coming to Nashville, being here and recording here and being around these guys. I just want to say thank all of you who send songs my way and made my career. I appreciate it very much.”

Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame songwriter Pat Alger presented Lovett as one of the Class of 2026 inductees, describing his music “uniquely Lyle Lovett songs…As a songwriter, that’s something you want people to say about you.” Kathy Mattea performed a version of “If I Had A Boat,” a song that exemplifies Lovett’s vivid songwriting and eclectic musical style. Lovett is also known for songs including “Cowboy Man,” “Why I Don’t Know” and the Grammy-nominated “She’s No Lady.” Lovett expressed gratitude for the honor, while also thanking his peers, but also his parents for their steady support, saying, “They gave me every opportunity they could.”

Verlon Thompson and Emmylou Harris honored Camp with a performance, while Jim Lauderdale inducted Camp, known for songs including “How Long Gone” (recorded by Brooks & Dunn), “Would You Go With Me” (Josh Turner), “My Love Will Not Change” (The Del McCoury Band) and “River of Love” (Strait).

“Unbelievable,” Camp said after taking the stage, soaking in the moment. He called Lauderdale one of his songwriting heroes, and noted that the honor was as much about anyone that had ever co-written with him as it was about Camp. He also honored the late John Anderson, saying he was “always going above and beyond to help me in this business.”

The evening’s final inductee was Lee Thomas Miller, known for his work on songs including “The Impossible,” “You’re Gonna Miss This,” “In Color,” “It Ain’t My Fault,” and “Southern Girl.” Jamey Johnson performed a powerful acoustic rendition of “In Color,” while Alabama’s Randy Owen presented Miller as a member of the newest Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame class.

Miller offered up one of the evening’s most powerful speeches, congratulating his fellow inductees and calling it a “great honor to share this night with you.” His speech focused on honoring his family, his co-writers and those who, like Miller, advocate in Washington, D.C. for the rights of songwriters. He took listeners through his journey of how loving baseball as a child evolved into finding his creative light in music. Most of all, he encouraged the songwriter community, saying, “These are the people who write the songs. These are the people who make the world make sense.”

Even as the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala ushered in a new class of inductees, the evening also took time to honor those who have passed away since last year’s event. There was a tribute to 650 WSM AM’s Bill Cody, the gala’s longtime announcer, who passed away in June. Grand Ole Opry announcer Kelly Sutton stepped in for Cody as the show’s “voice” for the evening. The segment also remembered eight Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame songwriters who have passed away since last year’s ceremony, including Walt Aldridge, John Anderson, Rory Bourke, Steve Cropper, Jim McBride, Joe Melson, Dolly Parton and Don Schlitz. Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame songwriter Rivers Rutherford performed “When I Get Where I’m Going” (which he co-wrote with George Teren) to honor those who have passed away.

RAYE has won the Mercury Prize for her second album This Music May Contain Hope.

The annual trophy was presented at a ceremony at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle, England, on Thursday evening (Oct. 22) It’s the first time that RAYE has won the prize; her 2023 album My 21st Century Blues was also nominated. RAYE is the first female solo artist to take the award since Little Simz won in 2022 with Sometimes I Might Be an Introvert.

She was up against Olivia Dean for her chart-topping The Art of Loving, and Paul McCartney for his 20th solo studio album, The Boys of Dungeon Lane. It’s the first time that the latter has been nominated for the prize in his storied career.

The shortlist was completed by Dave’s The Boy Who Played The Harp; Florence + The Machine’s Everybody Scream; Dove Ellis’ Blizzard; JADE’s THAT’S SHOWBIZ BABY!; Knats’ A Great Day In Newcastle; Kojey Radical’s Don’t Look Down; Nia Archives’ Emotional Junglist; Suede’s Antidepressants; and War Child compilation HELP(2).

All nominated artists aside from Dave and McCartney performed live during the ceremony. The ceremony was hosted by BBC Radio 6 Music DJ Lauren Laverne, and the winner announced by BBC Radio 1 DJ Sian Eleri.

Celebrating the work of both esteemed and emerging artists from U.K and Ireland, the Mercury Prize is awarded annually and recognizes artistic achievement in LPs across a range of genres. Recent winners include Sam Fender (2025), English Teacher (2024), Ezra Collective (2023), Little Simz (2022) and Arlo Parks (2021) The Prize was first awarded in 1992 to Primal Scream for Screamadelica, and winners include collections by Pulp (1996), PJ Harvey (2001, 2011) and Arctic Monkeys (2006).

Albums released between Aug. 30 2025 and July 17, 2026 were eligible for consideration this year. The 12 shortlisted albums were chosen by an independent judging panel chaired by Jeff Smith, head of music, BBC 6 Music & Radio 2. 

This year’s committee consisted of: Afrodeutsche – composer & DJ; Danielle Perry – broadcaster & writer; Jamie Cullum – musician & broadcaster; Lea Stonhill – music programming consultant; MistaJam – songwriter, DJ & broadcaster; Phil Alexander – creative director, Kerrang!/contributing editor, Mojo; Sian Eleri – broadcaster & DJ; Will Hodgkinson – chief rock & pop critic, The Times; and Sophie Williams – writer & broadcaster, including for Billboard UK.

Bette Midler sang her updated version of Woody Guthrie’s 1940s protest classic “All You Fascists (Bound to Lose)” as she accepted the 2026 Woody Guthrie Prize at Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Friday (Oct. 16). Just so no one missed the message, she wore a T-shirt embossed with the blunt song title.

“Justice doesn’t always come from the courthouse,” Midler said in accepting the award. “Sometimes the law is late, overdressed, and on the wrong side. Justice comes from a beat-up guitar instead… So, when I wanted to say something about what I was seeing going on today, I took his [Woody’s] song, and I put new words in its mouth, because the old fights came back in new suits. They always do.”

She continued, “Thank you for accepting me, and for letting me rewrite the song, that became my small contribution to the Resistance. We’re having a knife fight in a phone booth. These are hard and terrible times. A war is being waged against us, and we are all being drafted. Whether the letter arrives or not. Thank you for noticing that I showed up for duty.”

Midler released her spirited version of Guthrie’s song on YouTube in April, accompanied by this message: “You know I’ve been around a long time, but I have never lived through what we are living through now. The great Woody Guthrie wrote this song many years ago. I changed some of the words to fit our times, and I hope you’ll sing it when you are marching. Because sometimes people, sometimes you just gotta SING OUT!”

Midler had teamed with Eric Kornfeld to write her derivative of Guthrie’s protest classic. She also executive produced the video, which was directed by Toni Basil and Seanne Farmer. The video featured cameos by such celebrities as Barbara Hershey, Midler’s co-star in Beaches, and David Hyde Pierce, her co-star in the Broadway revival of Hello, Dolly!

“She [Midler] woke up our neighborhood this year with her powerful rendition of ‘All You Fascists (Bound To Lose),’” Guthrie’s granddaughter, Anna Canoni, said at the event. “She brought Woody back to the fight, back to the protest, the rallies, the ongoing struggle for democracy, and humanity. We are absolutely honored that she has joined our remarkable community of artists who have also carried Woody’s words and music to the fight.”

Cady Shaw, senior director of the Woody Guthrie Center (which hosts the annual award presentation), added: “Because beneath the glamour, the spectacular voice, and that sharp sense of humor is a woman who understands something Woody knew all along. That we all have a responsibility to leave this world a little better than we found it. And that is precisely what the Woody Guthrie Prize celebrates. It recognizes artists whose contributions extend far beyond their creative achievements, individuals who have demonstrated the courage to speak up, and the determination to turn their convictions into meaningful action. Bette Midler embodies that spirit beautifully.”

Preceding the presentation, Midler was interviewed onstage by music journalist Rona Elliot.

A silent auction featured a signed ukulele from Midler’s personal collection, along with other items from her archive; a signed lithograph by Bob Dylan; rare prints of Dylan and related artists; a premium ticket package from the Oklahoma City Thunder; and tickets to one of Garth Brooks’ upcoming Tulsa shows.

Rising country artist Bryan Andrews performed a selection of original songs including “Yeehaw,” as well as leading an audience sing-along of Guthrie’s most famous song, “This Land Is Your Land.”

The event served as a fundraiser to support the center’s educational programs, public concerts, and exhibitions. 

The Woody Guthrie Prize seeks to recognize artists who reflect Guthrie’s belief that music can be a force for social justice and change. Guthrie died in 1967 at age 55.

Midler, 80, has won three Grammys, three Primetime Emmys and a Tony (plus a non-competitive Tony). She has received two Oscar nominations. She would likely have received the Kennedy Center Honors by now, but President Trump has said that he struck potential honorees who were, in his words, “too woke.”

Here’s a complete list of recipients of the Woody Guthrie Prize:

ARIA Award winners Ninajirachi, Boy Soda, Speed and Keli Holiday will duke it out for the 2026 New South Wales Music Prize, Australia’s most lucrative music industry award.

Others homegrown talent shortlisted for the top prize, which comes with an A$80,000 ($55,000) winner’s check, include Don West, Esha Tewari, MAY-A, Parcels, The Rions and ZIPPORAH.

Now entering its second year, the NSW Music Prize is broken down into three categories.

The main award is for the NSW artist or act whose release has had the “most significant impact.” The NSW First Nations music prize (A$40,000) is awarded to the NSW-based Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander artist or act whose release has had “significant and meaningful impact,” and NSW breakthrough artist of the year (A$40,000) is for an emerging NSW artist or act who has had a “groundbreaking year.”

The Minns Labor government is behind the initiative, launched to “help inspire the next wave of artists in NSW,” which until 2025 was the only state without a dedicated music prize.

“Local artists have been under increasing pressure due to cost-of-living pressures and the dominance of overseas artists on streaming platforms,” reads a statement. “This prize is designed to give them recognition, and momentum.”

A panel of artists and industry leaders formed the committees that identified the nominations, announced Friday, Oct. 16.

All will be revealed during a ceremony Nov. 9 at the Museum of Contemporary Art’s Foundation Hall in Sydney, with the categories decided by a five-person judging panel; the winner of the NSW First Nations music prize will be decided by a three-strong First Nations judging panel.

“Congratulations to all of finalists, this is recognition of your creativity and hard work,” comments John Graham, state minister for music and the night-time economy.

“AC/DC were right when they said it’s a long way to the top. This prize is about helping our artists stay the course and become the next big NSW icons.

“Our musicians have been under so much pressure since the pandemic. If we lose them, we lose our local sound with it. That’s why we’re backing them with targeted support and celebrating them with this prize.”

Last year’s inaugural NSW Music Prize was won by SPEED for their album Only One Mode, BARKAA collected the NSW First Nations music prize for her EP Big Tidda, and Ninajirachi won for NSW breakthrough artist of the year. For more information visit the Sound NSW website.

The finalists for the 2026 NSW Music Prize:

NSW Music Prize ($80,000)

BOY SODA – SOULSTAR

DON WEST – GIVE ME ALL YOUR LOVE

Esha Tewari – What Makes A Girl A Girl

Keli Holiday – Capital Fiction

MAY-A – Goodbye (If You Can Call That Gone)

Ninajirachi – I Love My Computer

Parcels – LOVED

SPEED – ALL MY ANGELS

The Rions – Everything Every Single Day

ZIPPORAH – Naungu Urui

NSW First Nations Music Prize ($40,000)

3% – These Days, Running Through My Head, Our Greats

KYARNA – Lost Soul Love Letters

ROX LAVI – Blah Blah about the Blah

THOM – Everything That Hurts Is Human

Velvet Trip – Glimmers Continued

NSW Breakthrough Artist of the Year ($40,000)

BOY SODA

Esha Tewari

Keli Holiday

RAGEFLOWER

Velvet Trip

Sienna Spiro is the first major international star announced for next month’s 2026 ARIA Awards.

The British pop artist will make her ARIAs debut when she performs on stage at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion, just weeks after the release of her debut album Visitor. 

When she graces the stage, the singer and songwriter will add herself to the lineup of international stars who’ve performed at the Australian recording industry’s flagship awards, a list that includes Alicia Keys, Ava Max, Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, Halsey, Kane Brown, Khalid, Lorde, One Direction, Robbie Williams, Sam Smith, Taylor Swift and Olivia Dean, who has been a force on the ARIA Charts ever since her performance at the 2025 edition.

Aged just 21, the Londoner has already accumulated more than 33 million monthly listeners on Spotify, headline sponsor of the ARIAs, and 2 billion streams in total; bagged three simultaneous Billboard Hot 100 singles; and six entries on the ARIA Singles Chart. “Die On This Hill” is certified platinum by ARIA, while “You Stole The Show,” “MAYBE,” “Material Lover” and “The Visitor” are all certified Gold in these parts.

In her homeland, Spiro has six top 40 hits including a No. 1 with “Great Expectation,” which she performed last month at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles — earning a standing ovation in the process. She also collected the Moonman for best new artist. Visitor peaked at No. 2 on the Official U.K. Albums Chart.

Spiro’s trip to the ARIAs will mark her second trip to Australia following an intimate fan event last year at Pleasure Club in Newtown, Sydney. She’ll return in January 2027 for her eight-date My House Tour of Australia and New Zealand, which includes two nights at the Hordern. The trek sold out in a matter of hours, according to promoter Frontier Touring.

“So excited and honored to be performing at the 2026 ARIA Awards,” Spiro says in a statement. “I love Australia and can’t wait to be back!” 

With eight nominations each, Tame Impala and Genesis Owusu head the pack for the 40^th annual ARIA Awards, while Ecca Vandal is close behind with seven chances. All told, 29 artist categories will be announced on the night.

The 2026 ARIA Awards is supported by Destination NSW, in partnership with Spotify, and will be live on Paramount+ and broadcast on 10. Performances and moments will also be available on the @ARIA.official YouTube channel.