> At a Glance
> – Jon Batiste earned three 2026 Grammy nominations for his album Big Money
> – A cold call to Randy Newman sparked the nominated track “Lonely Avenue”
> – Big Money was recorded in just two weeks and blends gospel, soul, blues, folk, and rock
> – Why it matters: The recognition spotlights Batiste’s mission to redefine Americana and honor unsung musical pioneers
Jon Batiste’s living-room sessions with Randy Newman have landed both musicians on the Grammy ballot. Their collaboration, born from a spontaneous phone call, now fuels three nominations for Batiste’s ninth studio album.
The Newman Connection
Batiste dialed Newman after a decade apart, hoping to re-energize the 82-year-old legend. Newman, who had barely sung in years, found new inspiration.
> “He hadn’t been in fighting shape… but those in his life were so excited to see him that excited about music,” Batiste told News Of Los Angeles. “When I’d come around, he’d be wanting to sing.”
The result, “Lonely Avenue,” is up for Best American Roots Performance and helped secure nods for Best Americana Album and Best American Roots Song.
Inside Big Money
Batiste cut the genre-blending record in fourteen days, aiming to capture America’s collective musical history.
- Gospel, soul, blues, folk, and rock fuse into one sound
- Rhythms designed for communal, group performance
- Lyrics explore what it means to be American today
> “I think that Americana should… represent all of our music, the history and the essence of who we are,” he explained.
Grammy History & Hope
The 39-year-old New Orleans native already owns seven Grammys, including 2022’s Album of the Year for We Are.
| Nominations before 2022 | Since 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 10+ |
He calls the latest recognition proof that perseverance pays off after years of overlooked releases.
> “Do the work… because you’re the only one that can do it. The rest of the chips will fall where they may.”
Key Takeaways
- Batiste’s three 2026 nominations stem from a rekindled friendship with Randy Newman
- Big Money re-imagines Americana as an inclusive American soundtrack
- The musician views Grammys as a platform to honor predecessors who never received their due
- He plans to attend the 1 February ceremony with “way too many family members and friends”
The Grammy spotlight, Batiste insists, is simply “the beginning of the continued expression of the real.”
