Nominees For IBMA’s 2023 Industry Awards, Momentum Awards Announced

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The nominees have been revealed for this year’s IBMA Industry Awards and IBMA Momentum Awards, which will be presented during the IBMA World of Bluegrass, slated for Sept. 26-30.

The Momentum Awards will take place on Sept. 27 at the IBMA World of Bluegrass conference in Raleigh, North Carolina. The IBMA Industry Awards will follow on Sept. 28 and also includes the IBMA Distinguished Achievement Awards presentations. Both awards luncheons will feature music and memorable presentations to and by this year’s recipients.

The Industry Awards recognize outstanding work in categories including Broadcaster of the Year, Event of the Year, Graphic Designer of the Year, Liner Notes of the Year, Writer of the Year, Sound Engineer of the Year and Songwriter of the Year. Nominees in each category are selected by specially appointed committees made up of bluegrass professionals who possess significant knowledge of that field. The recipient of each award is decided on by the Panel of Electors, an anonymous group of veteran bluegrass music professionals selected by the IBMA Board of Directors.

The Momentum Awards recognize both musicians and bluegrass industry professionals who, in the early stages of their careers, are making significant contributions to or are having a significant influence upon bluegrass music. The Mentor Award recognizes a bluegrass professional who has made a significant impact on the lives and careers of newcomers to the bluegrass industry.

“The IBMA’s Industry Awards and Momentum Awards are important to recognize the exceptional contributions by those who are dedicated to furthering bluegrass music behind the scenes and those who are successful rising stars in our music,” says IBMA Interim Executive Director Paul Schiminger. “I can’t wait for the luncheons in Raleigh to honor them all. Congratulations to these nominees who are lifting bluegrass music to new heights!”

Winners of the IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards and the 2023 inductees into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame will also be celebrated during the conference, on Sept. 28 at the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh. Nominees for those awards were revealed last week.

2023 IBMA Industry Awards Nominees:

WRITER OF THE YEAR:
Chris Jones
Craig Havighurst
Garret K. Woodward
Gary Reid
Stacy Chandler

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR:
Becky Buller
Jon Weisberger
Rick Faris
Thomm Jutz
Tim Stafford

SOUND ENGINEER OF THE YEAR:
Aubrey Shamel
Brad Benge
Dewey Boyd
Key Chang
Steve Chandler

BROADCASTER OF THE YEAR:
Barb Heller
Brad Kolodner
Michelle Lee
Ned Luberecki
Peter Thompson

GRAPHIC DESIGNER OF THE YEAR:
Eric Barie
Gina Dilg
Grace van’t Hof
Pharis & Jason Romero
Tim Kapustka

LINER NOTES OF THE YEAR:
Birthright: A Black Roots Music Compendium – Written by Ted Olsen
Dom Flemmons – Traveling Wildfire – Written by Dom Flemmons
Jake Blount – The New Faith – Written by Jake Blount
Pharis &Jason Romero – Tell ‘em You Were Gold – Written by Pharis & Jason Romero
Sam Bush – Radio John: The Songs of John Hartford – Written by Sam Bush and Jon Weisberger

EVENT OF THE YEAR:
Blue Highway Fest – Big Stone Gap, Virginia
Bluegrass in La Roche – La Roche-sur-Foron, France
Doc at 100 – Various locations
Durango Bluegrass Meltdown – Durango, Colorado
Pickin’ in the Pines – Flagstaff, Arizona

2023 IBMA Momentum Awards Nominees:

MOMENTUM BAND OF THE YEAR:
Crying Uncle Bluegrass Band
The Fretliners
Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra
Never Come Down

MENTOR OF THE YEAR:
Austin Scelzo
Dan Boner
Louisa Branscomb
Ruth McLain Smith
Scott Napier

INDUSTRY INVOLVEMENT:
Daniel Mullins
Katie Kirchner
Maggie Rainwater
Matt Hutchinson
Mike Kaiz

INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR:
Anthony Howell
Alex Genova
Gavin Largent
Jake Eddy
Josiah Nelson
Maddie Dalton
Michael Prewitt

VOCALIST OF THE YEAR:
Carley Arrowood
Crystal Lariza
Nick Dumas
Starlett Austin
Tianna Lefebvre

Lorie Hollabaugh
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