The International Bluegrass Music Assocaiation has announced the nominees for the 18th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards. [press conference photos here]
Rhonda Vincent & The Rage lead the pack with 11 total nominations, split between the boss and her band members. Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver have 9 amongst them, and Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, The Del McCoury Band and Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder each received 7 nominations.
The awards will be presented on Thursday October 4 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, TN, in an awards show and gala hosted by Sam Bush.
Bluegrass Today is providing expanded coverage of the nominations for these awards, with posts that include the names of each nominee, along with links to their web sites, bios and audio, in each of the award categories. We hope that this coverage will aid members of the press who will be reporting on the awards, as well as IBMA members who want to do some research before casting their votes.
To view the nominees, click on the (more…) link at the end of this sentence, or click on the title of the post.
Entertainer Of The Year
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 goes to member(s) of the performing act.
The nominees for Entertainer Of The Year for 2006 are:
Cherryholmes | web site | bio | audio |
The Grascals | web site | bio | audio |
Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas | web site | bio | audio |
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver | web site | bio | audio |
The Del McCoury Band | web site | bio | audio |
Rhonda Vincent & The Rage | web site | bio 1 bio 2 | audio |
Review past recipients of this award.
Vocal Group Of The YearThe 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 nominees for Vocal Group Of The Year for 2007 are:
Blue Highway | web site | bio | audio |
The Isaacs | web site | bio | audio |
Alison Krauss & Union Station | web site | bio | audio |
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver | web site | bio | audio |
Rhonda Vincent & The Rage | web site | bio | audio |
Review past recipients of this award.
Instrumental Group Of The YearThe 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 nominees for Instrumental Group Of The Year for 2007 are:
Blue Highway | web site | bio | audio |
Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper featuring Audie Blaylock | web site | bio | audio |
Alison Krauss & Union Station | web site | bio | audio |
The Del McCoury Band | web site | bio | audio |
Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder | web site | bio | audio |
Review past recipients of this award.
Male Vocalist Of The YearAward for the outstanding male vocalist based on recorded and in-person performance. The award goes to the individual.The nominees for Male Vocalist Of The Year for 2007 are:
Ronnie Bowman | web site | bio | audio |
Russell Moore | web site | bio | audio |
Tim O’Brien | web site | bio | audio |
Larry Sparks | web site | bio | audio |
Bradley Walker | web site | bio | audio |
Review past recipients of this award.
Female Vocalist Of The YearThe 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 2007 are:
Dale Ann Bradley | web site | bio | audio |
Sonya Isaacs | web site | bio | audio |
Alison Krauss | 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 YearThis award is 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 goes to the songwriter and artist. The nominees for Song Of The Year for 2007 are:
Song Title links to audio | Artist(s) links to artist(s) | Songwriter(s) links to writer(s) |
All American Bluegrass Girl | Rhonda Vincent | Rhonda Vincent |
Fork In The Road | The Infamous Stringdusters | Chris Jones & John Pennell |
Lefty’s Old Guitar | J.D. Crowe & The New South | Dave Maggard & Jack Spencer |
Sadie’s Got Her New Dress On | Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver | Connie Leigh |
The Last Suit You Wear | Larry Sparks | Larry Shell, Larry Williams & Kim Williams |
Review past recipients of this award.
Album Of The YearAward for an outstanding recorded performance by an artist or artists, first commercially released during the specified time period (Award to artist(s), producer, and label).The nominees for Album Of The Year for 2007 are:
Album Title links to audio | Artist(s) links to artist(s) | Label links to label |
All American Bluegrass Girl | Rhonda Vincent | Rounder |
Fork In The Road | The Infamous Stringdusters | Sugar Hill |
Lefty’s Old Guitar | J.D. Crowe & The New South | Rounder |
More Behind The Picture Than The Wall | Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver | Sugar Hill |
The Last Suit You Wear | Larry Sparks | McCoury Music |
Review past recipients of this award.
Instrumental Album Of The YearThis award is for an outstanding recorded performance by an artist or artists featuring instrumental music, new or old, first commercially released during the eligibility period. An album project is eligible when 50% or more of its songs are instrumental performances. (Award to featured artist(s), producer, and label):The nominees for Instrumental Album Of The Year for 2007 are:
Album Title links to audio | Artist(s) links to artist(s) | Label links to label |
Acoustic Rising | Mark Johnson & Emory Lester | Mountain Home |
Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular | Tony Trischka | Rounder |
Instrumentals | Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder | Skaggs Family |
No Apologies | Jim Van Cleve | Rural Rhythm |
Wow Baby | Hunter Berry | Upper Mgt Music |
Review past recipients of this award.
Recorded Event Of The YearThis award is for a recorded album performance on which 50% or more of the songs represent special collaboration between two or more featured artists (individuals or groups) who do not regularly record together and who are known primarily for their contributions and public performances separate from one another. These acts must have performed together, as a unit, on a musical recording released during the eligibility period with each separate act receiving special billing on the record label and/or songs on which they are featured. (Award to featured acts, producer and label):The nominees for Recorded Event Of The Year for 2007 are:
Review past recipients of this award.
Gospel Recorded Performance Of The YearThis 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 award goes to the featured artist(s), producer, and label.The nominees for Gospel Recorded Performance Of The Year for 2007 are:
Song Title links to audio | Artist(s) links to artist(s) | Label links to label |
Did You Forget God Today | The Grascals | Rounder |
He Lives In Me | Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver | Horizon |
Tell Someone | Kenny & Amanda Smith Band | Rebel |
The Promised Land | The Del McCoury Band | McCoury Music |
We Shall Inherit | Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver | Horizon |
Review past recipients of this award.
Emerging Artist Of The YearAward 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. (Award to each group member or individual):The nominees for Emerging Artist Of The Year for 2007 are:
Cadillac Sky | web site | bio | audio |
Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper featuring Audie Blaylock | web site | bio | audio |
The Infamous Stringdusters | web site | bio | audio |
Bradley Walker | web site | bio | audio |
Williams & Clark Expedition | web site | bio | audio |
Review past recipients of this award.
Instrumental Performers Of The YearThe 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. The awards go to the artists.The nominees for Banjo Player Of The Year for 2007 are:
Cia Cherryholmes | web site | bio | audio |
Tony Trischka | web site | bio | audio |
J.D. Crowe | web site | bio | audio |
Jim Mills | web site | bio | audio |
Sammy Shelor | web site | bio | audio |
Review past recipients of this award.
The nominees for Bass Player Of The Year for 2007 are:
Barry Bales | web site | bio | audio |
Mike Bub | web site | bio | |
Mickey Harris | 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 2007 are:
Hunter Berry | web site | bio | audio |
Jim VanCleve | 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 2007 are:
Mike Auldridge | web site | bio | audio |
Jerry Douglas | 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 2007 are:
Jim Hurst | web site | bio | audio |
Tony Rice | web site | bio | audio |
Kenny Smith | web site | bio | audio |
Bryan Sutton | web site | bio | audio |
Larry Sparks | web site | bio | audio |
Review past recipients of this award.
The nominees for Mandolin Player Of The Year for 2007 are:
Sam Bush | web site | bio | audio |
Chris Thile | web site | bio | audio |
Doyle Lawson | 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 4 at The Renaissance Hotel in Nashville.
The nominees for Bluegrass Broadcaster Of The Year for 2007 are:
Kyle Cantrell | Bluegrass Junction XM Satellite Radio, Nashville, TN | web site |
Chris Jones | Sirius Satellite Radio | web site |
Ned Luberecki | Sirius Satellite Radio | web site |
Review past recipients of this award.
The nominees for Bluegrass Event Of The Year for 2007 are:
33rd Festival of the Bluegrass | Lexington, KY – June 2006 | web site |
The Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival | Ancramdale, NY – July 2006 | web site |
Pickin’ in the Sticks The 27th Annual MBOTMA Festival | St. Cloud, MN – August 2006 | web site |
Review past recipients of this award.
The nominees for Print Media Person Of The Year for 2007 are:
Aaron Keith Harris | writer, National Review Online Baltimore Examiner News Lonesome Road Review Blog | web site |
Chris Stuart | writer, Bluegrass Unlimited | web site |
John Lawless Brance Gillihan | authors, Bluegrass Today | web site |
Review past recipients of this award.
The nominees for Best Graphic Design for a Recorded Project for 2007 are:
Don Bailey (designer) | The Mark Newton Band, Hillbilly Hemingway, Rebel Records | web site |
Sue Meyer (designer) | Various Artists, Sugar Hill Records, A Retrospective, Sugar Hill Records | web site |
Visual Dialogue (designers) | Various Artists, Friends of Old Time Music, The Folk Arrival 1961-1965, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings | web site |
Review past recipients of this award.
The nominees for Best Liner Notes for a Recorded Project for 2007 are:
Barry Poss Jay Orr | Various Artists, Sugar Hill Records, A Retrospective, Sugar Hill Records | web site |
Peter K. Siegel John Cohen Jody Stecher | Various Artists, Friends of Old Time Music, The Folk Arrival 1961-1965, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings | web site |
Gary Reid | Don Reno Red Smiley and the Tennessee Cut-Ups, 1959-1963, Gusto Records | web site |
Review past recipients of this award.
See the list of 2007 honorees for the Bluegrass Hall Of Fame and the Distinguished Achievement Awards here.