Origins Music Group Announces 2025 Origins Impact Awards Nominees and Host
NASHVILLE, Tenn., (Oct. 22, 2025) – Origins Music Group has announced the nominees for the 2nd Annual Origins Impact Awards, happening Thursday, November 20, 2025, at The Cowan in Nashville, Tennessee. The event will feature live performances, sponsor activations, and special tributes — culminating in an unforgettable evening that celebrates country music’s evolving sound and soul.
Country music’s hottest new ceremony will spotlight artists, executives and organizations whose creativity, leadership and cultural impact are reshaping the sound and spirit of the genre. This year’s show will be hosted by Justin Lee, also known as Tennessee Backroad (TBR) — a viral choreographer, hip-hop/R&B artist, and cultural creative from Pulaski, Tennessee. Known for blending traditional line dance with modern urban flair, Lee has choreographed for artists like Kane Brown and INK, partnered with 8 Seconds Rodeo, and collaborated with viral star Sherri Shepherd. In 2025 alone, his videos generated over 35 million views and a following of more than 620,000 fans across social media. A performer at CMA Fest (Tin Roof) and CBS’s Nashville NYE Bash with Brittney Spencer, Lee has also released three original albums that fuse clever lyricism with Southern storytelling.
‘The Origins Impact Awards honor those who are changing the narrative of what Country Music can be — and who it includes,” said Corey Jones, Co-Founder and CEO of Origins Music Group. “Each nominee represents courage, creativity, and a deep commitment to community.”
“At Origins, we believe in celebrating artists and organizations that create lasting impact,” added Stephen Miller, Co-Founder and COO of Origins Music Group. “This year’s slate reminds us that Country Music thrives when every story has a stage.”
This year’s nominees represent the full spectrum of country music today, from boundary-pushing artistry to community impact. Artist of the Year contenders each redefine what it means to make country music in 2025. Innovative Project of the Year nominees showcase storytelling that champions inclusion and creative excellence, while Community Advocate of the Year honorees use music to build connection and belonging. The Cultural Impact Award celebrates organizations amplifying women and underrepresented voices across the genre. Among this year’s standout nominees are multi-hyphenate entertainer R-Truth (Ron Killings), actor Grayson Russell (Diary of a Wimpy Kid), and rising artist 803 Fresh, whose Southern Soul nomination honors a sound blending tradition, truth, and modern country storytelling.
Tickets for the 2025 Origins Impact Awards are on sale now.
Tags: origins music group, origins impact awards, country music, 2025 nominees, live performances, justin lee, kane brown, cultural impact, community advocate
