IBMA Reveals Bluegrass Music Award Winners
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
