Billy Strings Takes Home Fifth IBMA Entertainer of the Year Title

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Billy Strings accepts his fifth IBMA Entertainer of the Year honor. Photo: Dan Schram

Bluegrass phenom Billy Strings was named Entertainer of the Year for the fifth time at last night’s 37th Annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium in Chattanooga.

Strings also previously received the honor in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2025. East Nash Grass also picked up two awards, Album of the Year for All God’s Children, and Instrumental Group of the Year, after being named New Artist of the Year just two years ago. Song of the Year honors went to Trey Hensley for “Can’t Outrun the Blues.” Sierra Hull picked up her eighth Mandolin Player of the Year honor, and Authentic Unlimited was named Vocal Group of the Year at the annual awards ceremony.

The 2026 IBMA Momentum Award winners were also honored this week during the IBMA Business Conference at the Chattanooga Convention Center. The awards recognize emerging bluegrass trailblazers in five categories: Band of the Year, Instrumentalist of the Year, Vocalist of the Year, Mentor of the Year, and Industry Involvement. Hosted by Grammy-winning artist Bronwyn, the awards included live performances by Remedy Tree, Shadowgrass, The Cody Sisters, The Creekers, and Under the Rocks.

The 2026 IBMA Momentum Awards Winners included The Creekers (Band of the Year); Lydia Hamby (Vocalist of the Year); Luciya Sullivan (Instrumentalist of the Year); Jean-Baptiste Cardineau) Instrumentalist of the Year); Pammy Davis Lassiter (Mentor of the Year); and Helen Ludé (Industry Involvement).

IBMA’s Industry Award winners and Distinguished Achievement Award honorees were also celebrated at a special luncheon during the IBMA Business Conference. The Industry Awards recognize the outstanding work happening behind the scenes in non-performing categories in the Bluegrass community and the Distinguished Achievement Awards honor individuals and organizations whose contributions have made a lasting impact on the genre.

Hosted by 12-time IBMA Bluegrass Music Award winner Chris Jones, the event featured performances by Tonewood String Band (Denver) and Veranda (Montreal).

IBMA Industry Award Winners:
Songwriter of the Year: Tim Stafford
Event of the Year: CBA 50th Anniversary Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival, Grass Valley, CA
Writer of the Year: Gary Reid
Broadcaster of the Year: Michelle Lee, Michelle Lee On Air
Photographer of the Year: Scott Simontacchi
Graphic Designer of the Year: Grace van’t Hof
Sound Engineer of the Year: Key Chang
Liner Notes of the Year: Safe Sensible and Sane, Alison Brown and Steve Martin; Liner notes by Alison Brown and Steve Martin

IBMA Distinguished Achievement Award Honorees:
Gary Reid
Gallagher Guitar Co
Derek Halsey
Matt Glaser
The Marshall Family

Lorie Hollabaugh
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