Author: John Lawless

Pete Wernick informs us that he has been invited to be a part of a unique banjo event in New York later this month, including a performance at the New Yorker Magazine's New Yorker Festival 2005 on September 24, and

Coffee At Midnight is the title of Nothin' Fancy fiddler Chris Sexton's upcoming solo project on Pinecastle, due for release on October 11. The Nothin' Fancy web site assures us that despite the mid-October release date, copies of the CD

The International Bluegrass Music Assocaiation has announced the nominees for the 16th Annual International Bluegrass Muisc Awards. Perennial favorote Alison Krauss & Union Station leads the pack with 14 nominations, followed by Rhonda Vincent & The Rage with 8, and

This award is for a performing act who displayed the greatest competence in all aspects of the entertainment field. Voters should give consideration to recorded and in-person performance, public acceptance, attitude, leadership, and over-all contributions to the bluegrass music image.

The award for a group who regularly performs together that has shown outstanding recorded and in-person performance in the area of instrumental performance. It is not limited to groups which only perform instrumentals. The award goes to each group member.

The award for a group who regularly performs together that has shown outstanding recorded and in-person performance in the area of vocal performance. It is not limited to groups which only perform vocally. The award goes to each group member. The

The award for the outstanding female vocalist based on recorded and in-person performance. The award goes to the individual. The nominees for Female Vocalist Of The Year for 2005 are: Dale Ann Bradley web site bio audio

Song Title links to audio Artist(s) links to artist(s) Songwriter(s) links to writer(s) Georgia Peaches Larry Sparks Carl Jackson &Alan Laney Heartbreak Number Nine Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver Barry Scott &Jamie Dailey Me and John and Paul The Grascals Harley Allen Rain Please Go Away Alison Krauss & Union Station Del McCoury You Gotta Dig A Little Deeper Doyle

This award is for an outstanding gospel recorded performance, of one or more songs, new or old, first commercially released or showed significant chart action during the eligibility period. Recorded performance may be vocal, instrumental, or a combination of both.

The awards for artists who, on recorded and/or in-person performance during the specified time period, have shown an extraordinary mastery of their instruments. Nominations and awards will be made in six (6) sub-categories: Banjo, Bass, Dobro, Fiddle, Guitar and Mandolin.