The number of categories in the American Roots Music field for the 54th Grammy Awards next year have been reduced as part of a restructuring announced today by The Recording Academy.

Citing a shortage in the number of entries and challenges in distinguishing between Contemporary Folk and Americana and Contemporary and Traditional Blues, the academy consolidated the traditional and contemporary blues categories and the traditional and contemporary folk categories into one per genre. In addition, the Hawaiian, Native American and Cajun/Zydeco categories have been combined in a new Regional Roots Music category that also incorporates Polka music (which has a regional home in the Great Lakes area). Awards for Best Americana Album and Best Bluegrass Album will continue to be presented.

The Recording Academy has restructured the Grammy categories across all genres and fields, reducing the total number of categories to be recognized in 2012 from 109 to 78. In addition, a minimum of 40 distinct artist entries, up from the current 25, will be required in each category for an award to be presented.