Crossroads of American Music Awards will recognize their contributions to American music
Longtime friends and collaborators, and Mississippi natives, Mac McAnally and the late Jimmy Buffett, will both be awarded Crossroads of American Music Awards at Grammy Museum® Mississippi’s 2026 Gala, set to take place at the Museum in Cleveland, Mississippi, on Thursday, October 22, at 6 pm. The event will feature a reception, dinner, and cocktails, live music, and a silent and live auction. It will also feature the presentation of the 2026 L.U.C.Y. Award, which honors a K-12 educator from the state of Mississippi who embodies the educational mission of GRAMMY Museum Mississippi. Additional details will be announced soon.
Both natives of Mississippi, Jimmy Buffett born in Pascagoula and Mac McAnally raised in Belmont, the two musicians first met after Buffett had gotten a copy of McAnally’s self-titled 1977 album. According to McAnally, Buffett followed up by writing him a note that said, “We’re both from Mississippi. We’re both storytellers. We’re going to be friends.” That note blossomed into a decades long working relationship and friendship during which McAnally wrote or co-wrote as well as produced several songs with Buffett, including “It’s My Job,” “Coast of Carolina,” and “Oysters and Pearls,” among others. Though he’d been collaborating closely with Buffett as a songwriter and in the studio since the early 1980s, he officially joined Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band as a touring member in 1993. All in all, Buffett and McAnally’s professional relationship spanned over four decades of recording, songwriting, and touring.
“It is with tremendous honor that we dedicate our 2026 Gala to honoring two of Mississippi’s most esteemed musicians — the late, great Jimmy Buffett and his longtime friend and collaborator, Mac McAnally,” said Emily Havens, Executive Director of GRAMMY Museum Mississippi. “Through iconic songs, exceptional musicianship and careers that span decades, they helped shape the American songbook while proudly carrying their Mississippi roots to a global audience.”
The 2026 Gala is made possible by presenting sponsor Quality Steel, with additional support provided by platinum sponsors the Cannon Motor Company, Kirk Auto Group, The Paul Janoush Family and Whole Cellars Package Store. The Red Carpet Guild level sponsors are Cardiovascular Solutions of Central Mississippi, McCartys, The Millie and Bennie Wright Family, The Joyce and Larry Perry Family. Additional details will be announced soon. The 2026 Grammy Museum Mississippi Gala is presented by The Red Carpet Guild, an organization of committed volunteers whose mission is to promote, support, and sustain the Mississippi Museum. Additional sponsors will be announced soon.
Tickets to the 2026 Gala will go on sale to Grammy Museum Mississippi Members on September 4, and can be purchased at grammymuseumms.org, or by calling the Mississippi Museum’s Box Office. Pending availability, tickets will go on sale to the public on September 18.
Established by the Museum’s Board of Directors, the Crossroads of American Music Award honors artists whose extraordinary contributions to music reflect the creativity and cultural legacy born in the cradle of American music. Previous recipients include Grammy winners Bobby Rush, the late Charley Pride, Jerry Lee Lewis, Keb’ Mo’, Marty Stuart, Rosanne Cash, and Trombone Shorty. The annual Grammy Museum Mississippi Gala is the Museum’s signature fundraising event. Proceeds from this year’s Gala will benefit the Museum’s education programs, which seek to use music as a gateway to learning by inspiring and cultivating creativity, critical thinking, and self-expression.
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