The Boxcars Lead IBMA Nominations

The Boxcars are comprised of Adam Steffey, Ron Stewart, John R. Bowman, Keith Garrett and Harold Nixon

The Boxcars lead the just-announced International Bluegrass Music Award nominations with nods in nine categories ranging from Emerging Artist of the Year to Entertainer of the Year.

The nominations were revealed today (8/17) at a special press event at the Loveless Barn hosted by Doyle Lawson, Russell Moore, Josh Williams and Sierra Hull.

Star Del McCoury and pioneering bass player/guitar stylist George Shuffler were announced as the new inductees to the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame. They will be honored at the International Bluegrass Music Awards on Sept. 29 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. Also that night, Distinguished Achievement Awards will be presented to Greg Cahill, Bill Knowlton, Lilly Pavlak, Geoff Stelling and Roland White.

Among the other top nominees are Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out with nods in eight categories, and The Gibson Brothers, and Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas with seven each.

The IBMA Awards Show is the centerpiece of the World of Bluegrass Week, running Sept. 26 – Oct. 2 in Nashville, which also includes the IBMA Business Conference and Bluegrass Fan Fest.

Nominees in select categories are below, and a complete list is here.

Entertainer of the Year: The Boxcars, 
Dailey & Vincent
, The Gibson Brothers
, The Grascals
, Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers

Vocal Group
: Blue Highway, 
Dailey & Vincent, 
The Gibson Brothers, 
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
, Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out

Instrumental Group: Blue Highway, 
The Boxcars, 
Sam Bush Band, 
Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
, The Infamous Stringdusters

Emerging Artist: Darin & Brooke Aldridge, 
Balsam Range
, The Boxcars
, Sierra Hull & Highway 111
, Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers

Male Vocalist: Jamie Dailey,
Leigh Gibson, 
Russell Moore, 
Dan Tyminski, 
Josh Williams

Female Vocalist: Dale Ann Bradley,
 Sonya Isaacs, 
Alison Krauss, 
Claire Lynch
, Rhonda Vincent

Song of the Year:
• “Help My Brother,” The Gibson Brothers (artists), Leigh Gibson (songwriter)
• “I Am Strong;” The Grascals featuring Dolly Parton (artists); Jamie Johnson, Susanne Mumpower-Johnson, Janee Fleenor (songwriters)
• “I’ll Take Love,” Dale Ann Bradley with Alison Krauss & Steve Gulley (artists), Louisa Branscomb & Dale Ann Bradley (songwriters)
• “Trains I Missed;” Balsam Range (artists); Walt Wilkins, Gilles Godard, Nicole Witt (songwriters)
• “Walkin’ West to Memphis,” The Gibson Brothers (artists), Chris Henry (songwriter)

Album of the Year:
• The All-Star Jam: Live At Graves Mountain; Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, The Crowe Brothers, Lonesome River Band, Mark Newton, Lou Reid & Carolina, Carl Jackson, Audie Blaylock & Redline, Carrie Hassler with Brand New Strings (artists); Mark Newton & Carl Jackson (producers); Rural Rhythm Records (label)
• Almost Home, Larry Sparks (artist), Larry Sparks (producer), Rounder Records (label)
• The Boxcars, The Boxcars (artists), The Boxcars (producers), Mountain Home (label)
• Help My Brother, The Gibson Brothers (artists), Compass Records (label), Eric & Leigh Gibson and Mike Barber (producers)
• Rare Bird Alert, Steve Martin and The Steep Canyon Rangers (artists), Tony Trischka (producer), Rounder Records (label)
• Trains I Missed, Balsam Range (artists), Balsam Range (producers), Mountain Home (label)