IBMA Crowns Best Of Year At Annual Awards in Raleigh

The best in bluegrass were honored Thursday night (Sept. 26) in Raleigh at the annual IBMA Awards, where the Gibson Brothers took home their second straight Entertainer of the Year trophy along with two other awards, making them the top winners at this year’s ceremonies. The group also won Vocal Group of the Year and Song of the Year honors for “They Called It Music.” The Steep Canyon Rangers hosted the show, which was being held in Raleigh, N.C. for the first time.
Tony Rice and Paul Warren were inducted into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame during the evening, and Rob Ickes took home his 15^th trophy in the Instrumentalist award category as Dobro Player of the Year. Other instrumentalists recognized with IBMA nods included Mike Munford (banjo), Barry Bales (bass), Jason Carter (fiddle), Bryan Sutton (guitar), and Adam Steffey (mandolin).
The very first IBMA Awards were held on this day (Sept. 27) back in 1990 in Owensboro, Ky. Alison Krauss was named Female Vocalist of the Year during those ceremonies.
2013 IBMA Awards Winners:
Entertainer of the Year: The Gibson Brothers
Vocal Group: The Gibson Brothers
Instrumental Group: The Boxcars
Song of the Year: “They Called It Music,” The Gibson Brothers, written by Eric Gibson and Joe Newberry
Album of the Year: Papertown, Balsam Range
Gospel Recorded Performance: “Beulah Land,” Marty Raybon
Instrumental Recorded Performance: “Foggy Mountain Rock,” Tom Adams, Dan Tyminski, Ron Stewart, Dennis Crouch, Clay Hess and Randy Kohrs
Recorded Event of the Year: “What’ll I Do,” Terry Baucom with Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Wyatt Rice, Steve Bryant and Buddy Melton
Emerging Artist: Della Mae
Male Vocalist: Junior Sisk
Female Vocalist: Claire Lynch
Banjo Player of the Year: Mike Munford
Bass Player of the Year: Barry Bales
Fiddle Player of the Year: Jason Carter
Dobro Player of the Year: Rob Ickes
Guitar Player of the Year: Bryan Sutton
Mandolin Player of the Year: Adam Steffey