The International Bluegrass Music Association has announced the winners of their 2015 Momentum Awards. These are presented prior to the major bluegrass industry awards given out during the gala awards show on Thursday of this week.
Momentum awards are meant to distinguish artists and associated bluegrass business people who are in the early stages of their professional careers. Five are given to musicians, both vocalists and instrumentalists, with three additional for business folks.
The 2015 Momentum Award winners are:
- Performance Award, Instrumentalist – Annie Stanninec, Nate Lee, Patrick McAvinue (all fiddlers)
- Performance Award, Vocalist – Summer McMahan
- Performance Award, Band – Lonely Heartstring Band
- Industry Involvement – Alan Tompkins
- Festival/Event/Venue – ISIS Restaurant and Music Hall
- Mentor – Andrea Roberts
Annie Stanninec is fiddler with the Kathy Kallick Band, Nate Lee is a free lance fiddler in Nashville, and Patrick McAvinue performs with both Audie Blaylock & Redline and Charm City Junction.
Summer McMahan is the fiddler and lead singer with Mountain Faith, and Lonely Heartstring Band is a modern bluegrass band from the Boston area.
Alan Tompkins is President of the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation in Dallas, who puts on bluegrass festivals and events in Texas. The ISIS is located in Asheville, NC and presents regular bluegrass and Americana shows. Andrea Roberts is recognized for her generous expense of time in the careers of young artists, most particularly Flatt Lonesome.
Congratulations to all the winners!
