The International Bluegrass Music Association has announced today the nominees for their 2026 Industry and Momentum Awards. Both these nominees and the ultimate winners are named by select committees of IBMA members chosen for this purpose, in a multi-stage process of voting.
The IBMA Industry Awards are given to honor crucial areas of the business outside performing artists, whose contributions are critical to the continuation and furtherance of the music. These are the people who work behind the scenes, and give so much to keep the music alive.
And the 2026 Industry Award nominees are:
Writer of the Year
- Paul Burch
- John Curtis Goad
- Derek Halsey
- Garret K. Woodward
- Gary Reid
Photographer of the Year
- Ashli Linkous
- Laci Mack
- Scott Simontacchi
- Jay Strausser
- Madison Thorn
Sound Engineer of the Year
- Scott Barnett
- Elliot Beckley
- Key Chang
- Matt Coles
- Cameron Reichert
Event of the Year
- Annapolis Baygrass Music Festival – Annapolis, Maryland
- Bluegrass in La Roche at 20 – La Roche-sur-Foron, France
- Bluegrass Spartanburg – Spartanburg, South Carolina
- CBA 50th Anniversary Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival – Grass Valley, California
- Marysville Winter Bluegrass Series – Marysville, Ohio
Broadcaster of the Year
- Orin Friesen – Truckers Radio USA
- Barb Heller – NCPR
- Matt Hutchinson – Bluegrass Jam Along podcast
- Michelle Lee – Michelle Lee On Air
- Peter Thompson – KALW and Bluegrass Country Radio
Songwriter of the Year
- Mark “Brink” Brinkman
- Chris Jones
- Rick Lang
- Tim Stafford
Graphic Designer of the Year
- Audrey Fletcher
- Robert Hakalski
- Grace van’t Hof
- Carla Wehby
- Remy Zimmerman
Liner Notes of the Year
- Safe Sensible & Sane – Alison Brown and Steve Martin; Liner notes by: Alison Brown and Steve Martin
- Kentucky Troubadour – The Rebel Collection – Don Rigsby; Liner notes by: Daniel Mullins
- Keep On Keepin’ On – Bobby Osborne, C.J. Lewandowski & Friends; Liner notes by: Daniel Mullins and C.J. Lewandowski
- The Rich-R-Tone/Folk Star Story – Appalachia on Record 1946-1954; Liner notes by: Ted Olson and Matteo Ringressi
- Carroll Best – The Best of the Best – Carroll Best; Liner notes by: Ted Olson
The Momentum Awards are a special category of honors, given to artists and industry professionals in the early stages of their careers, whose contributions are worthy of special note. The exception is the Mentor of the Year, which is chosen to highlight the work of more experienced artists and others who give of their time to assist these developing artists.
And the 2026 Momentum Award nominees are:
Band of the Year
- The Creekers
- ShadowGrass
- Remedy Tree
- The Cody Sisters
- Under the Rocks
Industry Involvement
- Sarah Larsen
- Melanie Wilson
- Payton Burdette
- Helen Ludé
- Rebekah Speer
Instrumentlist of the Year (2 awarded)
- Steven Moore
- Lilly Anne Svrlinga
- G Rockwell
- Luciya Sullivan
- Jean-Baptiste (JB) Cardineau
- Noah Gobel
- Nathan Beaumont
Vocalist of the Year
- Adam Miller
- Lydia Hamby
- Morgan Brake
- Akulina Shamanov
- Ellie Hakanson
Mentor of the Year
- Louisa Branscomb
- Becky Buller
- Pammy Davis Lassiter
- Deanie Richardson
- Jim Pankey
Winners will be announced during the 2026 World of Bluegrass convention. Momentum Awards are typically presented during a luncheon on the Wednesday of World of Bluegrass, and the Industry Awards on the Thursday. These award luncheons are open to all registered World of Bluegrass attendees. Full week and one day registration details can be found online.
Congratulations and best of luck to all the nominees!
