The list is comprised of the most celebrated artists in bluegrass music today, presenting a difficult challenge to the professional members of the IBMA, who will need to vote for only one winner in each of 22 categories.
To aid in that effort, here is a complete list of the nominees, along with links to their web sites and audio samples.
Entertainer Of The Year – This award is for the 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 recognizes the performing act.
The nominees for Entertainer Of The Year for 2009 are:
| Dailey & Vincent | web site | bio | audio |
| The Grascals | web site | bio | audio |
| Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver | web site | bio | audio |
| The Del McCoury Band | web site | bio | audio |
| Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out | web site | bio | audio |
| Dan Tyminski Band | web site | bio | audio |
Review past recipients of this award.
Vocal Group Of The Year – TAward 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 recognizes the performing group.
The nominees for Vocal Group Of The Year for 2009 are:
| Blue Highway | web site | bio | audio |
| The Isaacs | web site | bio | audio |
| Dailey & Vincent | web site | bio | audio |
| Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver | web site | bio | audio |
| Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out | web site | bio | audio |
Review past recipients of this award.
Instrumental Group Of The Year – 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 recognizes the performing group.
The nominees for Instrumental Group Of The Year for 2009 are:
| Blue Highway | web site | bio | audio |
| Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper | web site | bio | audio |
| The Infamous Stringdusters | web site | bio | audio |
| The Dan Tyminski Band | web site | bio | audio |
| Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder | web site | bio | audio |
Review past recipients of this award.
Male Vocalist Of The Year – Award for the outstanding male vocalist based on recorded and in-person performance. The award recognizes the artist.
The nominees for Male Vocalist Of The Year for 2009 are:
| Jamie Dailey | web site | bio | audio |
| Russell Moore | web site | bio | audio |
| Junior Sisk | web site | bio | audio |
| Danny Paisley | web site | bio | audio |
| Dan Tyminski | web site | bio | audio |
Review past recipients of this award.
Female Vocalist Of The Year – The award for the outstanding female vocalist based on recorded and in-person performance. The award recognizes the artist.
The nominees for Female Vocalist Of The Year for 2009 are:
| Dale Ann Bradley | web site | bio | audio |
| Sonya Isaacs | web site | bio | audio |
| Alecia Nugent | web site | bio | audio |
| Claire Lynch | web site | bio | audio |
| Rhonda Vincent | web site | bio | audio |
Review past recipients of this award.
Song Of The Year – Award for any song, new or old, which was released or showed significant chart action within the eligibility period. Any song which has been nominated for this award in previous years is ineligible. The award recognizes the songwriter and artist.
The nominees for Song Of The Year for 2009 are:
| Song Title links to audio
|
Artist(s) links to artist(s)
|
Songwriter(s) links to writer(s)
|
| Don’t Throw Mama’s Flowers Away |
Danny Paisley | Chris Stuart & Ivan Rosenberg |
| Iron & Diamonds | The Gibson Brothers | Leigh & Eric Gibson |
| Leaving Baker County | Junior Sisk | Tom T. & Dixie Hall |
| Moneyland | Del McCoury | John Herald |
| Wheels | Dan Tyminski | Patrick McDougal |
Review past recipients of this award.
Album Of The Year – Award for an outstanding recorded performance by an artist or artists, first commercially released during the specified time period. The award recognizes the featured artist(s), producer, and label.
The nominees for Album Of The Year for 2009 are:
| Album Title links to audio
|
Artist(s) links to artist(s)
|
Label links to label
|
| Blue Side Of The Blue Ridge | Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice | Rebel Records |
| Brothers From Different Mothers |
Dailey & Vincent | Rounder Records |
| Keep On Walkin’ | Grascals | Rounder Records |
| The Room Over Mine | Danny Paisley & The Southern Grass |
Rounder Records |
| Wheels | Dan Tyminski | Rounder Records |
Review past recipients of this award.
Instrumental Recorded Performance Of The Year – This award is for an outstanding instrumental recorded performance of a tune which was first commercially released or showed significant chart action during the eligibility period. The award recognizes the featured artist, songwriter, producer and label.
The nominees for Instrumental Album Of The Year for 2009 are:
| Album Title links to audio
|
Artist(s) links to artist(s)
|
Label links to label
|
| Angeline The Baker | Rob Ickes & Andy Leftwich | Mel Bay |
| Don’t Tread On Me | Kristin Scott Benson | Compass Records |
| Jerusalem Ridge | Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper |
Rounder Records |
| Struttin’ To Ferrum | Lonesome River Band | Rural Rhythm Records |
| The Crow | Steve Martin | Rounder Records |
Review past recipients of this award.
Recorded Event Of The Year – This award is for a vocal or instrumental recorded performance of a song or tune, which was first released or showed significant chart action during the eligibility period, which represents a special collaboration between two or more artists (individuals or groups) who are known as touring/recording artists under their own name in a featured role (not as backup singers or musicians). The artists should not have regularly recorded or performed together in the past and should be primarily known for their contributions and public performances separate from one another. Each separate act must receive special “featured” billing on the recording’s label, song or tune on which they are featured and should be distinguished from backup singers and/or musicians. The award recognizes the featured artists, producer and label.
The nominees for Recorded Event Of The Year for 2009 are:
| Album Title links to audio
|
Artist(s) links to artist(s)
|
Label links to label
|
| After The Fire Is Gone | Bobby Osborne, Rhonda & Darrin Vincent |
Rounder Records |
| Daddy Played The Banjo | Steve Martin with Tim O’Brien and Earl Scruggs |
Rounder Records |
| Proud To Be A Daughter Of Bluegrass |
Daughters Of Bluegrass | Blue Circle Records |
| Sad Wind Sighs | Grascals with Vince Gill | Rounder Records |
| The Crow | Steve Martin with Tony Trischka | Rounder Records |
Review past recipients of this award.
Gospel Recorded Performance Of The Year – This award is for an outstanding gospel recorded performance (vocal or instrumental song) which was first commercially released or showed significant chart action during the eligibility period. Versions of recorded songs released on albums nominated for this award in prior years are ineligible. The award recognizes the featured artist, songwriter, producer and label.
The nominees for Gospel Recorded Performance Of The Year for 2009 are:
| Song Title links to audio
|
Artist(s) links to artist(s)
|
Label links to label
|
| Darkness Wept | Lonesome River Band | Rural Rhythm Records |
| On The Other Side | Dailey & Vincent | Rounder Records |
| What A Journey | Paul Williams & The Victory Trio |
Rebel Records |
| When The Last Of Our Days Shall Come |
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver | Rounder Records |
| Who’ll Sing For Me? | Audie Blaylock & Redline | Rural Rhythm Records |
Review past recipients of this award.
Emerging Artist Of The Year – This award is for a group or individual, new to the national bluegrass scene, which has made considerable advances artistically and/or commercially during the eligibility period. The band or individual should be performing under its/his/her name on a regular basis and not have more than two previous finalist nominations for this award. The award recognizes the group or individual artist.
The nominees for Emerging Artist Of The Year for 2009 are:
| Sierra Hull & Highway 111 | web site | bio | audio |
| Danny Paisley and the Southern Grass | web site | bio | audio |
| Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice | web site | bio | audio |
| The Steel Drivers | web site | bio | audio |
| The Josh Williams Band | web site | bio | audio |
Review past recipients of this award.
Instrumental Performers Of The Year – These awards are 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) subcategories: banjo, bass, fiddle, Dobro, guitar and mandolin. The awards recognize the artist.
The nominees for Banjo Player Of The Year for 2009 are:
| Kristin Scott Benson | web site | bio | audio |
| J.D. Crowe | web site | bio | audio |
| Steve Martin | web site | bio | audio |
| Samy Shelor | web site | bio | audio |
| Ron Stewart | web site | bio | audio |
Review past recipients of this award.
The nominees for Bass Player Of The Year for 2009 are:
| Barry Bales | web site | bio | audio |
| Mike Bub | web site | bio | audio |
| Darrin Vincent | web site | bio | audio |
| Missy Raines | web site | bio | audio |
| Marshall Wilborn | web site | bio | audio |
Review past recipients of this award.
The nominees for Fiddle Player Of The Year for 2009 are:
| Hunter Berry | web site | bio | audio |
| Jason Carter | web site | bio | audio |
| Michael Cleveland | web site | bio | audio |
| Stuart Duncan | web site | bio | audio |
| Ron Stewart | web site | bio | audio |
Review past recipients of this award.
The nominees for Dobro Player Of The Year for 2009 are:
| Mike Auldridge | web site | bio | audio |
| Jerry Douglas | web site | bio | audio |
| Andy Hall | web site | bio | audio |
| Rob Ickes | web site | bio | audio |
| Randy Kohrs | web site | bio | audio |
| Phil Leadbetter | web site | bio | audio |
Review past recipients of this award.
The nominees for Guitar Player Of The Year for 2009 are:
| Jim Hurst | web site | bio | audio |
| Tony Rice | web site | bio | audio |
| Bryan Sutton | web site | bio | audio |
| Kenny Smith | web site | bio | audio |
| Josh Williams | web site | bio | audio |
Review past recipients of this award.
The nominees for Mandolin Player Of The Year for 2009 are:
| Jesse Brock | web site | bio | audio |
| Sierra Hull | web site | bio | audio |
| Sam Bush | web site | bio | audio |
| Ronnie McCoury | web site | bio | audio |
| Adam Steffey | web site | bio | audio |
Review past recipients of this award.
The following awards are determined by special procedures and committees are enlisted to review recommendations, consider nominations related to the criteria and determine recipients. Finalists will be recognized and winners will be announced at the Special Awards Luncheon, scheduled for Thursday, October 1 at The Renaissance Hotel in Nashville.
Bluegrass Broadcaster Of The Year – This award recognizes outstanding service to bluegrass music in the field of broadcasting. The recipients must be judged by the committee for their:
- contributions to the field of endeavor
- professionalism – work in their community
- demonstrated ability to foster bluegrass music’s image
.
The nominees for Bluegrass Broadcaster Of The Year for 2009 are:
| Kyle Cantrell | Bluegrass Junction XM Satellite Radio, Nashville, TN | web site |
| Katy Daley | WAMU’s bluegrasscountry.org | web site |
| Ned Luberecki | Bluegrass Junction XM Satellite Radio, Nashville, TN | web site |
Review past recipients of this award.
Bluegrass Event Of The Year – This award recognizes events (festivals, concerts, other live performance productions) for their outstanding accomplishment and service to bluegrass music in the field of event production. The event must have been active and the accomplishments evident within the general eligibility period for all IBMA Awards in that particular year. The recipients will be judged by the committee for their:
- overall contributions to the field of event production.
- professionalism and quality of presentation.
- work furthering bluegrass in their area of service.
- demonstrated ability to foster bluegrass music’s image.
The nominees for Bluegrass Event Of The Year for 2009 are:
| The Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival |
Oak Hill, NY – July 2008 | web site |
| 33rd Annual Tri-State Bluegrass Festival |
Kendallville, IN – July 2007 | web site |
| 2008 World Cultural Fusion Festival |
Kawaguchi City, Japan July 2008 |
Review past recipients of this award.
Print Media Personality Of The Year – This award recognizes outstanding service to bluegrass music in the field of print media and journalism. The recipient must be judged by the committee for their:
- contributions to the field of endeavor
- professionalism
- work in their community
- demonstrated ability to foster bluegrass music’s image.
Because this is not a lifetime achievement award, longevity of service alone is not a factor.
The nominees for Print Media Personality Of The Year for 2009 are:
| Tom Adams | Banjo NewsLetter | web site |
| Dan Miller | Flatpicking Guitar | web site |
| Roger Siminoff | Siminoff’s Luthiers Glossary, Banjo Newsletter and Bluegrass Breakdown |
web site |
Review past recipients of this award.
Best Graphic Design – Album Project – The album for which the cover was designed must have been released during the current eligibility period for album projects. Re-issues and compilations released during the eligibility period may be considered for this award if they include new graphic designs.
- ability to enhance the message of the recorded work
- quality and professionalism
The nominees for Best Graphic Design – Album Project for 2009 are:
| G. Carr & Sallie Ratts (designers) |
Steve Martin, The Crow, 40 Share Productions |
web site |
| Stumptown Printers (designer) |
Uncle Charlie Osborne: The June Appal Recordings, June Appal |
web site |
| Loren Witcher (designer) |
Missy Raines & The New Hip, Inside Out, Compass Records |
web site |
Review past recipients of this award.
Best Liner Notes for a Recorded Project -Criteria: The album for which the liner notes were written must have been released during the current eligibility period for album projects. Re-issues and compilations released during the eligibility period may be considered for this award if they include newly written liner notes.
- ability to enhance the message of the recorded work
- quality and professionalism
- ability to foster bluegrass music’s image
- contribution to the field of writing
The nominees for Best Liner Notes for a Recorded Project for 2009 are:
| Charlie Cushman, Marty Stuart, Eddie Stubbs, Johnny Warren |
A Tribute to Fiddlin’ Paul Warren | web site |
| Eddie Den | Old-Time Pickin’: A Clawhammer Banjo Collection, Ralph Stanley , Rebel Records |
web site |
| Steve Martin | The Crow, Rounder Records | web site |
