The 2025 American Music Honors, presented by the Bruce Springsteen Archives ⁘ Center for American Music at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey, gathered legends of rock, country, soul and Americana Saturday for an evening of memorable performances and heartfelt tributes. But by the time guest of honor Bruce Springsteen took the podium at the Pollak Theatre, even he'd had enough of himself.
With that, the spotlight shifted to the evening⁘s honorees: Smokey Robinson, Emmylou Harris, Tom Morello , John Fogerty and Joe Ely. Each was celebrated by a standout lineup of presenters and performers including Springsteen, Patti Scialfa, Steve Van Zandt and Nils Lofgren. The night, hosted by Brian Williams, also featured a surprise performance from 2024's honoree Jackson Browne. The latter joined Springsteen, Morello and the house band ⁘ The Disciples of Soul under the direction of Marc Ribler ⁘ for a raucous encore of ⁘Take It Easy,⁘ the Eagles classic Browne co-wrote with Glenn Frey.
Ely, the Texas troubadour and progressive country pioneer, was recognized by Springsteen, who spoke reverently of his longtime friend, who could not attend due to health issues. Springsteen reminisced about his 30-plus year friendship with Ely, recalling a wild night in Dublin with Ely and Jerry Lee Lewis. Ed Gray accepted Ely's award on his behalf. Springsteen then returned to the stage with the Disciples of Soul for a fiery rendition of ⁘All Just to Get to You.⁘
Scialfa gave a warm introduction for Harris, praising her chart-topping success and unique voice. ⁘She⁘s got it all ⁘ and that hair. It⁘s hard to get a song to No. 1. I⁘m speaking to my husband,⁘ Sclialfa said, referencing how husband Springsteen has famously never had a Number One-charting song.
Harris accepted the award with grace and humility, recalling performing with Gram Parsons before joining Scialfa on the haunting ⁘Red Dirt Girl.⁘ ⁘I just feel almost unreal to be in this company,⁘ Harris said. ⁘I just remember myself as a 16-year-old sitting in my room listening to a radio show, playing all the folk music from 1964 to '65, and it's hard to believe that I am standing here amongst all these other honorees.⁘
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