Bluegrass musicians Sierra Hull and Dan Tyminski will host the 27th International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Awards on Sept. 29 at the Duke Energy Center in Raleigh, North Carolina.

“Sierra and Dan both have long and respected histories in the IBMA community, so it’s a thrill to have them together on stage to host this year’s awards,” said Amy Reitnouer, executive director of The Bluegrass Situation, who returns as producer of the IBMA Awards for the third year. “We’ve got plenty of memorable moments being planned out for the show, and there’s no doubt that these two will bring class, charisma, and chemistry to the stage and serve as great emcees!”

In addition to acknowledging the year’s outstanding talent and achievements, new Hall of Fame inductees will also be honored. The inductees are late guitarist Clarence White and Rounder Records founders Bill Nowlin, Marian Leighton Levy and Ken Irwin.

Mandolin player and songwriter Sierra Hull released her newest album, Weighted Mind, earlier this year. A skilled guitarist and mandolin player, Dan Tyminski has released two solo albums as well as projects with Lonesome River Band, Alison Krauss & Union Station, and the Soggy Bottom Boys.

The IBMA Awards are part of the organization’s World of Bluegrass 2016 event, which takes place Sept. 27–Oct. 1 in Raleigh.

Ashley Sidoti has been named National Director of Radio Promotion for The Valory Music Co.

Most recently serving as Southeast Director of Marketing and Promotion, she will continue to build relationships between radio and the label’s talented artist roster of Brantley Gilbert, Thomas Rhett, Justin Moore, Eli Young Band, Tara Thompson and Levi Hummon.

“It’s been a pleasure to see Ashley’s growth with The Valory Music Co.,” said Valory’s Senior Vice President of Promotion George Briner. “Since she started with the company as an intern in 2008, Ashley has grown through the ranks beginning as the imprint’s Label Coordinator. With her passion for music, creative ideas and experience in the business, Ashley is a great fit to be the National Director.”

“I am appreciative of the incredible opportunities I’ve been given to learn from the ground up at BMLG, even from my time as an intern in 2008,” said Sidoti. “I’m so grateful for Scott and George’s support and confidence in me. We are all incredibly proud of everything we have built at Valory, thus far, and I’m even more excited to be a part of our growth into the future.”

Sidoti can be reached at 615-574-7827 or via Ashley.Sidoti@valorymail.com.

Photos: Chris Hollo

MCA Records Nashville’s Vince Gill celebrated his milestone 25th Anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry with two memorable shows ‪Saturday night (Aug. 13) at the Grand Ole Opry House. Gill was inducted as an Opry member on August 10, 1991.

 

Gill shared the stage, collaborating with family and close friends including Amy Grant, Rodney Crowell, Patty Loveless, The Time Jumpers, Ashley Monroe, Andrea Zonn, Bill Anderson, Jenny Gill, Paul Franklin, and Charlie Worsham. Grant and Crowell even joined the Opry Square Dancers.

 

After opening the night with his classic hit “One More Last Chance,” an emotional Gill welcomed everyone saying, “This evening is filled with people I hold more than dear. They have made my entire life.” 

The first show ran almost an hour over its two-hour allotted time. “Sorry we made you late,” Gill said to a packed audience at the top of the night’s second show. “We were having a blast in here.”

Daughter Jenny Gill reminisced of the time she was in first grade and her dad finally got the call he had been waiting for– the Grand Ole Opry inviting him to make his debut. However, he had to decline the long-awaited opportunity, saying he was already booked. He had promised Jenny he would accompany her on guitar on “You Are My Sunshine” for her school’s talent show. She remarked, “It’s a great thing they called him back, don’t you think?”

“It’s always been an honor to sing with Vince Gill,” said longtime friend Patty Loveless said before the two performed Gill’s iconic classics: “When I Call Your Name” and “Go Rest High On That Mountain.”

 

 

 

“Vince has truly become family to all of us at the Opry,” said Pete Fisher, VP/GM, Opry. “Like Mr. Acuff before him, his dressing room door is always open, and he’s often ready to pick one backstage and catch up with friends in the wings as well as to collaborate with them musically on the Opry stage.

“It is obvious in watching clips from Vince’s Opry induction 25 years ago that Opry patriarch Roy Acuff was a big Vince Gill fan and that he was hoping Vince would help carry on the magic of the Opry for future generations,” Fisher continued. “Though Roy died the next year, there is no doubt he would be proud tonight of all that Vince has accomplished and everything he has meant to Mr. Roy’s beloved show.”

 

 

 

In addition to collaborations, Gill performed the title track of his current album, Down To My Last Habit. Gill is also a member of The Time Jumpers, which will release their third album, Kid Sister, on Sept. 9. The ensemble joined him on performances of “Corinne, Corinna” and “Faint of Heart,” featuring a singer in Gill’s touring band, Wendy Moten.