Awards season has begun for the the Academy of Country Music.
In addition to the nominations announced on Tuesday for all the glittery pop stars, a list of “lesser lights” was quietly passed out. This includes musicians, producers, engineers, radio hosts, promoters and venues. The winners of the ACM MBI Awards (Musicians/Bandleaders/Instrumentalists) are not recognized during the televised broadcast on April 18, but feted at an ACM Honors in the fall. They are typically announced prior to the program, however.
As is often the case, a number of names familiar to bluegrass fans pop up in the list. Stuart Duncan and Deanie Richardson are both nominated as Top Fiddle Player Of The Year, Bryan Sutton is nominated for Top Guitar Player Of The Year, and Dennis Crouch for Top Bass Player Of The Year. Bryan is also nominated for Top Specialty Instrument Of The Year, as is Randy Scruggs.
Buddy Cannon received a Poducer Of The Year nomination. He is not a specifically bluegrass producer, though he has been involved in the production of the music of his daughter, Melonie Cannon.
Congratulations and best of luck to them all!
