Florida Georgia Line Honored With Three ACM Decade Awards

(L-R:) RAC Clark, ACM Interim Executive Director; Scott Borchetta, Founder, President and CEO of Big Machine Label Group; Tyler Hubbard; Jimmy Harnen, CEO of BMLG Records; Brian Kelley; Seth England, Partner, Big Loud; Kevin “Chief” Zaruk, Partner, Big Loud; Scooter Braun, Chairman of Ithaca Holdings Photo Credit: The Holy Mountain

Florida Georgia Line are the first-ever recipients of the ACM Breakout Artist of the Decade Award, ACM Single of the Decade Award and ACM Music Event of the Decade Award, it was announced on Sunday (Sept. 29). The duo was awarded all three ACM Decade Awards in a surprise backstage presentation on Sept. 28 during their final stop on their Can’t Say I Ain’t Country Tour at FivePoint Amphitheatre in Irvine, California.

With these wins, Florida Georgia Line earns three of the seven all-new ACM Decade Award categories. The ACM Breakout Artist of the Decade Award acknowledges an artist that first impacted country music in the decade and has contributed to the country format in an impactful way. Factors considered include success at radio, commercial media, sales and streaming, creative integrity, touring statistics, artistic merit and ACM Award recognition.

The multi-platinum BMLG Records duo received the ACM Single of the Decade Award for their record-breaking No.1 hit “Cruise,” which recognizes a single that has impacted country over the decade. The factors considered include success at radio, commercial media, sales and streaming, artistic merit and ACM Award recognition.

Additionally, Florida Georgia Line received the ACM Music Event of the Decade Award for “Meant to Be” with Bebe Rexha. The award recognizes a recording performed by artists who do not regularly perform together that has impacted country music over the decade. The factors considered include success at radio, commercial media, sales and streaming, artistic merit and ACM Award recognition.

“Since FGL’s debut with ‘Cruise,’ their success has been amazing. They’ve blown us all away with recording-breaking tracks and performances. Once they collaborated with Bebe Rexha, they reached even more fans outside country music. We are excited to award BK and Tyler with these well-deserved awards to celebrate these unprecedented multiple career milestones from this past decade,” said RAC Clark, ACM Interim Executive Director.

The ACM Decade Awards were ratified by the ACM Board of Directors, following a stringent examination by more than 20 Board members and the ACM Special Awards Committee co-chaired by Chuck Aly and Kelly Rich – from the full spectrum of creative and commercial aspects of the genre – of the most influential projects over the past decade of country music. Like the ACM Dick Clark Artist of the Decade honor recognizing Jason Aldean in April, these awards will be presented only every ten years. The recipient of the remaining category ACM Album of the Decade Award will be announced in the coming weeks.

Other ACM Decade Award winners include ACM Artist-Songwriter of the Decade Award recipient Chris Stapleton, ACM Songwriter of the Decade Award recipient Rhett Akins and ACM Song of the Decade Award recipients Miranda Lambert, and songwriters Tom Douglas and Allen Shamblin, for “The House That Built Me.”

Visionary Songwriter And Producer busbee Dies At 43

busbee

Visionary songwriter busbee has passed away according to news shared by country artist Maren Morris via Twitter.

The writer and producer known for his genre-bending talents has collaborated with a broad range of artists, including Morris, Shakira, Usher, Lady Antebellum, Jon Bellion, Blake Shelton, Timbaland, 5 Seconds of Summer, Keith Urban, and Jason Aldean, among others. He was previously signed to BMG.

Earlier this year, busbee, whose given name is Michael James Ryan, celebrated the launch of his new company, Altadena, which is a growing force in the launching and development of careers of artists, producers, and songwriters in a variety of genres, with offices in Los Angeles and Nashville.

In 2018, busbee signed a worldwide publishing agreement with Warner/Chappell Music.

A year earlier, busbee received a BMI Song of the Year award for co-writing Florida Georgia Line’s No. 1 hit, “H.O.L.Y.” He also co-produced Grammy-winning artist Maren Morris’ breakthrough album, Hero, and co-wrote her first two hit singles, “My Church” and “80s Mercedes.” busbee also co-wrote Keith Urban’s “The Fighter” ft. Carrie Underwood which won an ACM Award for Vocal Event of the Year, and produced Lady Antebellum’s 2017 Grammy-nominated album, Heart Break, co-writing six songs, including the hit single, “You Look Good.”

Additionally, busbee produced and contributed to songs on the breakout albums from emerging country stars Lauren Alaina (Road Less Traveled) and Carly Pearce (Every Little Thing), having written Pearce’s breakout single of the same name, which made her the only female to debut at No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart in 2017.

He co-wrote and co-produced Rachel Platten’s “Collide”; co-wrote and produced P!nk’s “Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken” and co-produced Gwen Stefani’s holiday album, You Make It Feel Like Christmas, co-writing all six of the original songs.

Other notable busbee hits include “Try” by P!nk, “Dark Side” by Kelly Clarkson, and numerous other top ten singles. His recent collaborations include Jon Bellion, Justin Tranter, James Arthur, Lady Antebellum, Missio, and Maren Morris’ current album, Girl, released in January of this year.

Carrie Underwood Brings Hits, Inspiration, And An Entertainer’s Soul To Nashville Show

Carrie Underwood. Photo: Jeff Johnson

“It’s good to be home,” Carrie Underwood told the crowd at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena Friday evening (Sept. 27). “It felt so weird waking up in my own bed and now I’m playing at the Bridgestone. This is kind of my second home.”

Indeed, Underwood and her openers Maddie & Tae (“Die From A Broken Heart”) and Runaway June (with the Top 5 hit, “Buy My Own Drinks”) have been busy criss-crossing the country on Underwood’s current The Cry Pretty Tour 360 for the better part of the year, before bringing it back to Nashville. The 360-degree, in-the-round show was completely sold out Friday evening. The second leg of the tour concludes Oct. 31 in Detroit.

The Bridgestone was buzzing with anticipation by the time headliner Underwood took the stage, and she came ready to party, launching into the summery “Southbound” from her latest album Cry Pretty, her first at her new label home UMG Nashville. The in-the-round stage was shaped like an eye, both as a nod her album, and to allow for as many people as possible in the stands and in the pit in the center of the stage. Throughout the evening, images were projected onto 17 filmy screens that hung above the stage.

The high-energy show, propelled by Underwood’s breathtaking, powerhouse voice, continued with “Cowboy Casanova” and “Good Girl.” The stage was trimmed in technicolor teals, oranges, and purples, as Underwood shifted back to her current album material for “Backsliding,” her crystalline voice accented by seat-shaking bass.

“I first came to Nashville at [age] 10, and I thought, ‘Nashville is the coolest thing in the world and I want to live there.’ There was an open door and I walked through it,” Underwood said, referencing her win on American Idol nearly 15 years ago.

“If there is something you are holding onto that seems like it’s too big a dream, I’m living proof that things can happen and you can end up doing what you’ve always dreamed of.”

Though the power and range of Underwood’s sterling voice is well-known after seven Grammy wins and numerous No. 1 hits, her Cry Pretty album, and the corresponding tour, find her relishing the different shades and timbres she can summon.

Carrie Underwood. Photo: Jeff Johnson

Seated on a dark red velvet couch, donning a black hat and clutching a classic Sinatra-esque mic, Underwood was at her most sultry on the jazz-infused, smoky tune “Drinking Alone,” which offers an alluring alternative to trying to solve the world’s problems.

“It’s cool and groovy and sassy, and I like sassy,” she said of the song.

As images of cemetery flowers and military funerals were displayed on screens round the arena, Underwood churned a soulful, almost hymn-like take on the socially-charged “The Bullet.”

But she’s at her most comfortable showcasing the influence of ‘80s rock bands like Guns N’ Roses and Aerosmith.

She mashed her own hit “Just A Dream” with Aerosmith’s “Dream On,” imitating frontman Steven Tyler’s signature warble and piercing falsetto. The influence can be heard in “Flat On The Floor,” as she effortlessly bends the lyrics, pleading baby, baby, baby tell me why.

From there, she combed through her back catalog of chart-toppers, culling some a trio of her popular story songs. Columns of light sparkled as she appeared centerstage with a guitar for “Church Bells,” at one point playing off of her fellow guitar player from the opposite side of the stage.

She was flanked by her bandmates, each performing on risers of alternating heights that were accented with flames as she offered “Two Black Cadillacs.” She poured her own fury into the theatrical song, drawing out the final bye, bye for dramatic effect.

Carrie Underwood. Photo: Jeff Johnson

She followed with her 2012 hit about domestic abuse and revenge, “Blown Away,” as she stalked every inch of the stage, pausing to accentuate certain aspects of the story as each lyric unfurled.

Though formidable, her voice is not her only musical talent, as made known throughout the evening as she played bongos on “End Up With You” and, tickled the ivories at an upright piano, leading an audience awash in a sea of cell phone lights through “See You Again.”

This being a Nashville concert, she took time to thank the musicians, songwriters, and members of her label and management teams for their work on Cry Pretty. Underwood took on a co-producer role for the first time on this project, alongside David Garcia.

“I feel like I took more ownership of this album and took more time and I’m so proud of this album.” she noted.

As with other shows on her The Cry Pretty Tour 360, Underwood welcomed Maddie & Tae and Runaway June back to the stage for a tribute to many of country music’s chart-topping female artists. Underwood began with Tammy Wynette’s “Stand By Your Man,” a cappella. She was soon joined by Runaway June and Maddie & Tae for Patsy Cline’s “Walkin’ After Midnight,” Loretta Lynn’s “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” Dolly Parton’s “9 To 5,” The Judds’ “Rhythm of the Rain,” Trisha Yearwood’s “She’s In Love With The Boy,” Martina McBride’s “Independence Day,” Faith Hill’s “Wild One,” Reba’s “Why Haven’t I Heard From You” and Shania Twain’s “Man! I Feel Like A Woman!”

“Growing up we were all very fortunate because we had some of the best of the best in music to idolize and they just so happened to be on country radio. They taught us all how to sing. We are lucky that because of them, we get to do what we love, we get to be up on this stage together going all over the place, doing what we love. So we are going to pay tribute to just a fraction of our ‘sheroes.’”

Carrie Underwood. Photo: Jeff Johnson

Though the concert leaned heavily on material from the new album, she left plenty of room for selections from her catalog of chart-toppers. There were plenty of her fiery breakup songs, such as “Before He Cheats” and “Undo It,” though the show centered around the kinds of songs Underwood does best—inspirational compositions that channel inner strength and encourage faith.

Smoke billowed over the edges of another riser as she performed one of her most well-crafted tracks, the Grammy-winning “Something In The Water.”

Revisiting her breakthrough country hit, “Jesus, Take The Wheel,” she again utilized a series of seven risers to help her ascend as the song reached its compelling crescendo, before later leading the crowd in an a cappella chorus of the song. She also offered her 2009 hit, “Temporary Home.”

“I sing a lot of songs that are faith based and I believe the words I’m singing,” she told the crowd, before her performance of “See You Again.” “I believe that when we leave this earth there is a place that is beautiful and perfect…and this isn’t the end.”

She welcomed Nashville resident Kevin to join on “The Champion,” which Underwood originally recorded with Ludacris. The song served as an opening theme for Super Bowl LII.

“People applied that hype song, that fight song, to their lives,” Underwood told the crowd. Kevin performed the rap portion of the song, spurred on by Underwood. His performance was in honor of his late grandmother, who died a year ago from liver cancer, after a six-year battle with the disease.

Afterward, the lights dimmed and the band vamped as a live shot showed Underwood applying purple and pink glitter tears similar to those featured on the cover of Cry Pretty, just before she returned to center stage. Long strands of beads glistened above the stage as she offered the vulnerable, powerful title track.

The concert concluded, appropriately, with another track from Cry Pretty, titled “Love Wins.”

As pink confetti fell around the arena, and Underwood and her band took the final bows, the song was a final victory lap in an already incredibly inspirational concert, one where the messages were often every bit as powerful as the messenger. Underwood’s approximately two-hour, in-the-round show was a supreme showcase of an artist who has more than proven her entertainer mettle, with a combination of quality songs and stunning vocal ability that has long dominated charts and hearts.

Brian Mansfield To Exit Shore Fire Media

Brian Mansfield. Photo: Robert Deutsch

Brian Mansfield, Director of Content for Shore Fire Media, will exit on Monday, Sept. 30 to explore other opportunities.

He joined Shore Fire in 2015, following more than 18 years as Sr. Music Writer for USA Today. During his career, he has also worked at The Tennessean, Nashville Scene, CDNow, and more. He has worked as writer and producer for the syndicated weekly radio program America’s Opry Weekend, and has also produced a weekly live concert series for the Grand Ole Opry titled Opry Country Classics.

He can be reached at mansfield@comcast.net or 615-480-2170.

CMT To Honor Reba With Artist Of A Lifetime Award

Reba McEntire is being honored with the Artist of a Lifetime award presented by Ram Trucks at this year’s upcoming CMT Artists of the Year event. The 10th annual celebration will air live from Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center on Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. 

This year marks a significant milestone for the CMT Artists of the Year special as it celebrates the decade-long anniversary of the live music franchise. The highly anticipated 90-minute event will pay tribute to the five “Artists of the Year” who collectively ruled the last 12 months in country music. This year’s honorees include Carrie Underwood, Dan + Shay, Kane Brown, Luke Combs and Thomas Rhett, and will feature surprise musical pairings and guests. 

“I have loved entertaining people since I was a little girl and after being in the music business more than 40 years, I’m still having so much fun! For CMT to recognize me as the ‘Artist of A Lifetime’ is pretty special,” said Reba.

Other artists who have received the Artist of a Lifetime award include Loretta Lynn (2018), Shania Twain (2016), Kenny Rogers (2015), and Merle Haggard (2014).

 

Taylor Swift’s ‘Lover’ Certified Platinum

Taylor Swift‘s latest album, Lover, her first for Universal Music Group’s Republic Records, has been certified Platinum by the RIAA. The album was released just over one month ago, on Aug. 23.

Tracks from the album have earned more than 3 billion streams globally. Lover‘s first single, “ME!” has also been certified Platinum.

Every album Swift has released has attained at least Platinum status. 2017’s reputation has been certified 3x Platinum, while her foray into pop music, 1989 (released in 2014) is inching closer to Diamond status, having sold more than 9 million copies. Swift’s 2008 album Fearless has already achieved Diamond status.

Speak Now has been certified 6x Platinum, while both her 2006 self-titled debut album and her 2012 album Red have been certified 7x Platinum. 2008’s The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection has been certified Platinum.

 

 

 

Big & Rich, Travis Tritt, Gretchen Wilson To Be Featured On ‘The Song’

New TV series The Song has announced the talent lineup featuring Big & RichTravis TrittGretchen Wilson, All-4-One, CeeLo Green, Dirty HeadsDon McLean, Sublime w/RomeRick Springfield, and Lonestar performing their most impactful songs.

Executive producers Marc Oswald and Cary Glotzer will be joined by award-winning director Trey Fanjoy to create nine 30-minute episodes and a one-hour “Best of The Song” finale for season one. Each episode will center around a specific hit song and will be filmed at TGL Farms, in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Gray Television will premiere the series, which will be presented by Ally and Nashville Music City, the week of Jan. 4, 2020 on its major network affiliated stations across America.

In-depth conversations with the artists and songwriters will reveal the inspiration, journey and evolution of each song. Viewers will also be treated to newly written and recorded material and an intimate performance.

Pat LaPlatney, Co-CEO & President of Gray Television says, “Our extensive TV station group is extremely privileged to be the launch platform for Season One of The Song series starting in national syndication this January. Highlighting some of most famous hit songs and artists of all-time will create compelling content for viewers of all ages.”

The Song pays it forward through cause-related partnerships with The Songwriters Hall of Fame and Belmont University’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business to provide both scholarship and internship opportunities for their outstanding programs and to help develop new talent in the music, media and television arts disciplines.

Lauren Daigle, Zach Williams, John Crist Among Presenters on 50th Annual GMA Dove Awards

Another round of performances has been announced for the upcoming 50th Annual GMA Dove Awards, including a tribute celebrating Bill and Gloria Gaither. Bill Gaither along with the Gaither Vocal Band, Matt Maher, Mark Lowry, Bart Millard, Michael English, Russ Taff, and David Phelps will collaborate for this special segment.

The show will also feature performances throughout the evening from all New Artist of the Year nominees, including Riley Clemmons, Aaron Cole, Austin French, Josh Baldwin and Kelontae Gavin. The awards show will be held on October 15 in Nashville and will air exclusively on TBN October 20 at 8 p.m. ET.

GMA also announced the first round of their star-studded presenter lineup, including Lauren DaigleJohn Crist, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Zach Williams, BlancaBrown Bannister, Don Moen, Evan CraftGloria Gaither, Nicole C. Mullen, Point of GraceShirley Caesar and William McDowell.

Previously announced performers include MercyMeLecrae, Phil Wickham, Brian Johnson and the Bethel Music Band, Steven Curtis Chapman, Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Cece Winans, TobyMac, Hillsong Worship and Kirk Franklin. Additional performers and presenters will be announced soon.

Daigle leads artist nominations with six, followed by for KING & COUNTRY and Kirk Franklin with five nods each. Top nominated writer/producer Wayne Haun scored 10 nominations.

Bobby Karl Works The Room: Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum Honors Boudleaux And Felice Bryant

Pictured: Dane Bryant, Ronnie Dunn of Brooks and Dunn, actor Dennis Quaid, Del Bryant, Billy Ray Cyrus and Charles Esten attend the grand opening of We Could: The Songwriting Artistry of Boudleaux and Felice Bryant at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on September 26, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum)

BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM

Chapter 633

I have been to many exhibit-opening galas at the Country Music Hall of Fame, but I have never been to one that was mobbed until Thursday evening (9/26).

More than a thousand peers, well-wishers, fans and industry mavens crammed into the museum’s upstairs event hall to celebrate “We Could: The Songwriting Artistry of Boudleaux & Felice Bryant.”  We got more than we bargained for, because the exhibit preview party also announced a major acquisition for the Hall.

“We are proud and happy to announce that the Boudleuax & Felice Bryant Collection is now a part of the Country Music Hall of Fame collection,” said Hall v.p. Brenda Calladay. This includes the 16 famous, 300-500 page ledgers containing drafts of their songs, doodles, musical notations, sketches and ideas. The acquired collection also includes photos, song demos, documents, sheet music, correspondence, artifacts and even the dress that Felice Bryant wore the night the team was inducted to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1991.

These priceless items very nearly vanished three years ago.

Son Del Bryant recalled that on Nov. 28, 2016 he received a panicked phone call that the Gatlinburg wildfire was approaching the Bryants’ home and office there. Firemen evacuated the premises, leaving the songwriters’ precious memorabilia behind.

Jason Isbell performs onstage during the grand opening of We Could: The Songwriting Artistry of Boudleaux and Felice Bryant at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on September 26, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum)

“Fortunately, the house was spared,” Del related. “Everything was irreplaceable and everything was spared. That fire was a catalyst and a wake-up call.”

He and his brother Dane Bryant knew that their parents’ legacy needed to be preserved safely somewhere. The Smithsonian Institution approached them. The University of Tennessee pursued them. Ultimately, they chose the Country Music Hall of Fame as the appropriate repository.

Boudleaux Bryant (1920-1987) and Felice Bryant (1925-2003) “were part of the fabric of Music City U.S.A.,” Del explained. “The collection needs to be here.”

Letting go of the collection, “is almost like losing our parents again, but we are at peace. Now it will have a home in perpetuity. We couldn’t be happier than to be a permanent member of this family.”

The Bryants were the first full-time professional songwriters in Nashville. Their 6,000-song catalog is studded with timeless classics. They made history in taking complete control of their publishing royalties by regaining all of their copyrights and forming their own House of Bryant, where both Dane and Del began their music-business careers in 1967.

Fittingly, a major contingent of Music Row songwriters attended the gala – Wayne Kirkpatrick, Paul Kennerley, Don Henry, Jeff Hanna & Matraca Berg, Jon Vezner, Margie Singleton, Chuck Cannon, Billy Burnette, Steve Wariner, Rick & Janis Carnes, Janis Oliver, Pat Alger and Tom Douglas, to name a few.

Museum v.p. Lisa Purcell welcomed the throng, noting that the Bryants’ songs have resulted in 59 BMI Awards and perhaps more than a half a billion bucks in record sales.

Pictured: Johnny Mike Walker, Dane Bryant, Mandy Macke and Del Bryant attend the grand opening of We Could: The Songwriting Artistry of Boudleaux and Felice Bryant at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on September 26, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum)

The awesome catalog includes such standards as “All I Have to Do Is Dream,” “Bye Bye Love,” “Raining In My Heart,” “We Could,” “It’s a Lovely Lovely World,” “Hole in My Pocket,” “Hey Joe,” “Out Behind the Barn,” “Let’s Think About Living,” “Midnight,” “How’s the World Treating You,” “Blue Boy,” “Wake Up Little Susie,” “I’m Little But I’m Loud,” “Sleepless Nights,” “Take Message to Mary,” “Come Live With Me,” “Devoted to You,” “Bird Dog,” “Country Gentleman,” “Have a Good Time,” “Fall Away,” “Like Strangers,” “I Can Hear Kentucky Calling Me,” “Penny Arcade,” “Mexico” and “Take Me As I Am (Or Let Me Go).”

Old Crow Medicine Show kicked off the celebration with a merry rendition of “Country Boy.” That 1949 Jimmy Dickens hit was the first song the Bryants’ had recorded as well as their first hit.

Brenda recapped the couple’s story, noting that they met on Valentine’s Day, 1945. Felice said she had dreamed of Boudleaux coming to Milwaukee to make her his wife. He remarked that Matlida Scaduto should be named Felice and “married” her within days (their official wedding had to wait for her divorce and took place that fall).

She was the driving force behind them becoming a songwriting team. Publisher Fred Rose discovered them and brought them to Music City in 1950.

“It’s fair to say that in the Nashville music industry, the Bryants created the profession of full-time country songwriters,” noted Brenda.

Jason Isbell and Alison Krauss took the stage to harmonize on “Love Hurts,” immortalized by Roy Orbison, The Everly Brothers, Gram Parsons & Emmylou Harris and Nazareth, among others. Bobby Osborne, still vibrant at 87, electrified the crowd with an appropriate finale of “Rocky Top.” It is probably the Bryants’ most-performed composition and a Tennessee State Song.

The songwriting team’s m.o. was to invite artists to their home, ply them with Felice’s Sicilian spaghetti, enjoy wine and then pitch tunes from their ledgers. Fittingly, Thursday’s party fare included pasta dressed with Felice’s marinara recipe.

Bobby Osborne performs onstage during the grand opening of We Could: The Songwriting Artistry of Boudleaux and Felice Bryant at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on September 26, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum)

Del choked up when recalling his mother. Dane’s wife, Lee Wilson, wrote the 2017 Bryant biography All I Have to Do Is Dream. Del’s wife, Carolyn Bryant, writes many of the family’s press releases. Both were in attendance, as were many other Bryant family members.

It is a measure of the community’s love and reverence for Boudleaux and Felice that this event was mega. It was so crowded that several folks couldn’t even get into the event hall. Charlie Monk noted that it took a 40-minute wait in the valet-parking line to get to the front door downstairs.

Working the room was a challenge, but Tom Collins, Tom Roland, Dave Nichols, David Briggs, David & Carolyn Corlew, Jody Williams, Marion Williams, Harold Shedd, Clay Bradley, Joe Scaife, Dan Rogers, Don Cusic, Doyle Brown, Alan Valentine, Kos Weaver, Holly Gleason, Rick Sanjek, Rod Essig, Martha Moore, Barry Mazor, Ken Paulson, Bonnie Garner, Bob Delevante, Karen Clark, Tim Wipperman, Caroline Davis, Woody Bomar, Lori Badgett, Adam Dread, Deborah Evans Price, Gary Overton, Rose Drake, Brent Maher and Mark Ford gave it their all.

Historians Bobbie & Bill C. Malone were there. They are working on a new book about the Bryants. Dennis Morgan was there, too. He is the only songwriter that Felice ever worked with following Boudleaux’s death. They will take part in a panel discussion about the couple at 2 p.m. Saturday at the museum.

The legendary ledgers are in the exhibit. So is Felice’s handwritten recipe. Boudleaux’s fiddle and guitar are on display, as is the reel tape recorder on which they recorded their demos. Felice’s childhood prayer book is included, too. The exhibit opens today.

Dana Bryant and Dane Bryant attend the grand opening of We Could: The Songwriting Artistry of Boudleaux and Felice Bryant at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on September 26, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum)

Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers Earn Top Prize At 30th Annual IBMA Awards

(L-R): Jason Barie, Mike Terry, Joe Mullins, Adam McIntosh, Randy Barnes (photo credit: Jeff Fasano/IBMA)

Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers won the coveted Entertainer of the Year Award at the 30th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards, marking the band’s first win – and first nomination – in this category. The IBMA awards ceremony was hosted by Del McCoury and Jim Lauderdale and held at the Duke Energy Performing Arts Center in Raleigh, North Carolina on Sept. 26. Awards were voted on by the professional membership of the International Bluegrass Music Association.

“Congratulations to this year’s awards recipients and all of the nominees,” said Paul Schiminger, Executive Director of IBMA. “Being recognized by your professional peers with the highest honors in bluegrass music is quite an achievement, considering the number of incredible artists and recordings in our music today. This is a moment for everyone in the bluegrass community to feel proud and celebrate the many accomplishments of the past year. It is no wonder the appreciation of bluegrass is growing every day.”

The recipients of the 2019 International Bluegrass Music Awards are listed below:

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR:
Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR:
Sister Sadie (this is the band’s first win in this category)

INSTRUMENTAL GROUP OF THE YEAR:
Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper (this is the band’s fifth win in this category)

SONG OF THE YEAR:
“Thunder Dan” – Sideline (artist), Josh Manning (writer) Tim Surrett (producer), Mountain Home Music Company (label)

ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
Del McCoury Still Sings Bluegrass – Del McCoury Band (artist), Del and Ronnie McCoury (producer), McCoury Music (label) (this is the band’s second win in this category, with a previous win in 2004)

GOSPEL RECORDING OF THE YEAR:
“Gonna Sing, Gonna Shout” – Claire Lynch (artist), Jerry Salley (producer), Billy Blue Records (label)

INSTRUMENTAL RECORDING OF THE YEAR:
“Darlin’ Pal(s) of Mine” – Missy Raines with Alison Brown, Mike Bub, and Todd Phillips (artist), Alison Brown (producer), Compass Records (label)

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
Billy Strings

COLLABORATIVE RECORDING OF THE YEAR:
“The Guitar Song” – Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers with Del McCoury (artists), Joe Mullins (producer), Jerry Salley (associate producer) Billy Blue (label)

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR:
Brooke Aldridge (her third win in this category, including 2017 and 2018)

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR:
Russell Moore (his sixth win in this category, the most recent in 2012)

BANJO PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Kristin Scott Benson (her fifth win in this category, the most recent in 2011)

BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Missy Raines (her eighth win in this category, the most recent in 2007)

RESOPHONIC GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Phil Leadbetter (his third win in this category, the most recent in 2014)

FIDDLE PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Michael Cleveland (his 12th win in this category, previously in 2018)

GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Billy Strings (his first nomination – and win – in this category)

MANDOLIN PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Alan Bibey (his first win in this category)

Previously announced inductees into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame – Mike Auldridge, Bill Emerson, and The Kentucky Colonels – were honored at the show.

At the Industry Awards Luncheon held earlier in the day, the recipients of the following awards were also announced:

BROADCASTER OF THE YEAR:
Michelle Lee
EVENT OF THE YEAR:
Blueberry Bluegrass Festival – Stony Plain, Alberta, Canada
LINER NOTES OF THE YEAR:
Epilogue: A Tribute to John Duffey
Akira Otsuka, Dudley Connell, Jeff Place, Katy Daley
GRAPHIC DESIGNER OF THE YEAR:
Michael Armistead
WRITER OF THE YEAR:
David Morris
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR:
Jerry Salley
SOUND ENGINEER OF THE YEAR:
Ben Surratt

The previously announced 2019 Distinguished Achievement Award recipients –Katy Daley, Mickey Gamble, Dan Hays, Allen Mills, and Moonshiner – were also honored at a luncheon.