IBMA Reveals Bluegrass Music Award Winners

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Pictured (L-R): Kimber Ludiker, Deanie Richardson, Ken White, Jim Lauderdale, Del McCoury, Billy Strings, Gena Britt, Steve Martin, Kristin Scott Benson, Missy Raines, Alison Brown, Sierra Hull, Tristan Scroggins and Justin Moses. Photo: Daniel Schram

Bluegrass innovator Billy Strings took Entertainer of the Year honors at Thursday night’s (Sept 18) 36th Annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards.

The Entertainer of the Year trophy is Strings’ fourth Entertainer of the Year award, following wins in 2021, 2022 and 2023. Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland’s “Outrun the Rain” picked up two awards, Song of the Year and Collaborative Recording of the Year. “Outrun the Rain” is from their 2025 Carter & Cleveland album, which won Album of the Year.

Co-hosted by Steve Martin and Alison Brown, The IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards Show was held at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium in Chattanooga.

See the full list of 2025 IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards Winners below:

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR: 
Billy Strings

SONG OF THE YEAR:  
“Outrun the Rain” – Jason Carter & Michael Cleveland – Songwriters: Terry Herd/Jimmy Yeary
Producers: Jason Carter/Michael Cleveland
Label: Fiddle Man Records

ALBUM OF THE YEAR: 
Carter & Cleveland – Jason Carter & Michael Cleveland
Producers: Jason Carter/Michael Cleveland
Label: Fiddle Man Records

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR:  
Authentic Unlimited

INSTRUMENTAL GROUP OF THE YEAR:  
The Travelin’ McCourys

GOSPEL RECORDING OF THE YEAR:
“He’s Gone” – Jaelee Roberts – Songwriter: Kelsi Harrigill
Producer: Byron House
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

INSTRUMENTAL RECORDING OF THE YEAR:  
“Ralph’s Banjo Special” – Kristin Scott Benson, Gena Britt & Alison Brown – Songwriter: Ralph Stanley
Producer: Alison Brown
Label: Compass Records

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR:  
Red Camel Collective

COLLABORATIVE RECORDING OF THE YEAR:
“Outrun the Rain” – Jason Carter, Michael Cleveland, Jaelee Roberts & Vince Gill – Songwriters: Terry Herd/Jimmy Yeary
Producers: Jason Carter/Michael Cleveland
Label: Fiddle Man Records

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR:   
Greg Blake

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR: 
Alison Krauss

BANJO PLAYER OF THE YEAR:  
Kristin Scott Benson

BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR:  
Vickie Vaughn

FIDDLE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: 
Maddie Denton

RESOPHONIC GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR: 
Justin Moses

GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR:  
Trey Hensley

MANDOLIN PLAYER OF THE YEAR:  
Sierra Hull

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR:  
“The Auctioneer” – The Kody Norris Show –  Songwriters: Leroy Van Dyke/Buddy Black
Producer: James Gilley
Label: Rebel Records

Lorie Hollabaugh
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