It was destined to be a bittersweet evening.
The 23rd Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards, held last night (9/27) at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium will be the final one in Music City before the Conference and Awards move east to Raleigh in 2013. On top of that, the past year has dealt the bluegrass community some tough blows with the losses of bluegrass icons Earl Scruggs and Doc Watson.
So it was destined to be bittersweet, but it was also a time to celebrate and bring joyful sounds to life.
The opening number featured Del McCoury, Laurie Lewis, J.D. Crowe, Bobby Hicks, Jerry McCoury, and Bobby Osborne in a roof-raising all-star collaboration. Lewis and McCoury stayed on stage to serve as the evening’s hosts.
“Thank you, and welcome to the, uh, I didn’t bring my glasses, folks,” said McCoury as he tried to read the prompter. No worries, Lewis was there to back him up until he was seeing clearly.
Lewis also acknowledged the upcoming move of the Awards and surrounding World of Bluegrass Week, saying there was excitement but compared hosting the IBMA Awards at the Ryman to “holding the Gospel Music Awards in Heaven.” After all, the Ryman stage did play an integral role in the growth and nurturing of the musical form.
As one might expect, that stage had some fantastic performances. Highlights included The Gibson Brothers’ “We Called It Music,” with some lickety-split mandolin work; newcomers Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen turning in a cool, moody interpretation of The Box Tops’ (or Joe Cocker’s, if you prefer) “The Letter”; and perhaps most memorable of all, Dailey & Vincent’s heart-stopping gospel quartet a capella rendition of “When the Roll is Called Up Yonder.” The performance was so stirring, it induced wild cheers by the second verse and left audience members collecting their jaws off the floor. That’s how you do the Mother Church proud.
The Gibson Brothers performing at the Ryman. Photo: Alane Anno for IBMA
Other performers included nominees Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out, Dale Ann Bradley (with her “Somewhere South of Crazy” co-writer Pam Tillis), Special Consensus (with Josh Williams, Chris Jones and Sam Bush), The Boxcars, Blue Highway, and Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (on Lee Greenwood’s “Dixie Home”).
Lest you think I’ve forgotten, there were also awards. (The full list appears below).
The coveted Entertainer of the Year prize went home with The Gibson Brothers, who also also picked up the award for Gospel Recorded Performance for “Singing As We Rise,” which they recorded with Ricky Skaggs.
Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice also came up big, picking up awards for Song of the Year for “A Far Cry From Lester & Earl” and Album of the Year for Heart of a Song. “I’ve had speeches made up for years,” said an emotional Sisk, “and I’ve had to can them for a long time. This time it’s for real.”
Vocal Group of the Year went to Blue Highway, and its member Rob Ickes earned the Dobro player honor. Multiple nominee Russell Moore picked up the Male Vocalist of the Year award, Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers earned the Emerging Artist Award, and Dale Ann Bradley took home the Female Vocalist Award.
“The Lord gave us this particular genre because the songs are so heartfelt and true to life,” said Dale Ann.
Lonesome River Band’s “Angeline the Baker” won the Recorded Instrumental Performance Award and, rather conveniently, LRB banjo player Sammy Shelor was already onstage presenting the award.
Best Instrumental Group went to the Boxcars and then its member Adam Steffey nabbed the Mandolin Player Award. “I don’t consider myself the best at anything but I love this music and I consider it an honor to get up and play for y’all every night,” said Steffey.
Doyle Lawson and the late entrepreneur Ralph Rinzler were the 2012 Bluegrass Hall of Fame inductees.
Broadcaster Eddie Stubbs introduced Lawson, pointing out how at age 5 the artist heard Bill Monroe play bluegrass on the Ryman Stage during WSM’s broadcast of the Grand Ole Opry, and would now enter the Hall of Fame on the very same stage and radio station.
Clad in his signature sparkling scorpion-emblazoned jacket, Lawson rhapsodized about how bluegrass music had allowed him to play in every state in the country and 49 foreign countries as well.
“Because they’re putting me in the Hall of Fame, that don’t mean I’m done,” said Lawson. “I’ve got a lot of fuel left in my tank.”
The evening concluded with a spectacular tribute to the late, great Earl Scruggs. A visibly choked up Steve Martin hailed the banjo master as an inspiration to all banjo players. “Before Earl Scruggs, no one played like him. After him, everyone played banjo like him. Or at least they tried,” said Martin.
The tribute performance featured an ensemble cast of over 30 banjo players onstage. Everyone was there: Martin, Kristin Scott Benson, J.D. Crowe, Alison Brown, Sam Bush, Sammy Shelor, Chris Pandolfi, Sleepy Man Banjo Boys (with 10-year-old banjo wiz Johnny Mizzone), and many more. Del McCoury led the entire gang through a rousing version of Scruggs “Little Girl of Mine in Tennessee” to close out the evening.
From us folks in Nashville, farewell Earl, Doc, and the Bluegrass Awards. We’ll miss you.
Participants in the Scruggs tribute included Tom Adams, Eddie Adcock, Jessie Baker, Terry Baucom, Sam Bush, Kristin Scott Benson, Alison Brown, Jason Burleson, Greg Cahill, Jason Carter, J.D.Crowe, Jason Davis, Joe Dean, Steve Dilling, Glenn Gibson, Eric Gibson, Mark Johnson, Doyle Lawson, Laurie Lewis, Del McCoury, Rob McCoury, Lynn Morris, Joe Mullins, Mike Munford, Chris Pandolfi, Graham Sharp, Sammy Shelor, Sleepy Man Banjo Boys (Jonny, Robbie & Tommy Mizzone), Ron Stewart, Mike Sumner, Tony Trischka, Scott Vestal, Pete Wernick, and Roland White. Photo: Alane Anno for IBMA
The 2012 International Bluegrass Awards
Bluegrass Hall of Fame Inductees: Doyle Lawson, Ralph Rinzler
Distinguished Achievement Award Recipients: Byron Berline, Joe & Lil Cornett, Orin Friesen, Pee Wee Lambert, Kitsy Kuykendall
Entertainer of the Year: The Gibson Brothers
Vocal Group of the Year: Blue Highway
Instrumental Group of the Year: The Boxcars
Emerging Artists of the Year: Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers
Male Vocalist of the Year: Russell Moore
Female Vocalist of the Year: Dale Ann Bradley
Song of the Year: “A Far Cry From Lester & Earl” Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice
Album of the Year: Heart Of A Song, Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice
Gospel Recorded Event of the Year: “Singing As We Rise” by the Gibson Brothers w/Ricky Skaggs
Instrumental Performance of the Year: “Angeline The Baker” by Lonesome River Band
Recorded Event of the Year: “Life Goes On”
Banjo Player of the Year: Sammy Shelor
Bass Player of the Year: Marshall Wilborn
Fiddle Player of the Year: Stuart Duncan
Dobro Player of the Year: Rob Ickes (dedicated to Mike Auldridge)
Guitar Player of the Year: Doc Watson
Mandolinist of the Year: Adam Steffey
Broadcaster of the Year: Kyle Cantrell
Bluegrass Event of the Year: ROMP,produced by the International Bluegrass Music Museum; Owensboro, KY
Print Media Person of the Year: Marty Godbey, author of Crowe on the Banjo: The Music Life of J.D. Crowe (Univ. of Illinois Press)
Best Graphic Design: Bedrock Manufacturing (designer) for Nobody Knows You, by the Steep Canyon Rangers (Rounder Records)
Best Liner Notes: Marian Leighton Levy (liner notes), for Tony Rice: The Bill Monroe Collection, by Tony Rice (Rounder Records)
Bluegrass Songwriter of the Year: Jon Weisberger
Earlier in the week, IBMA’s new Momentum Awards, designed to recognize promising new talent, were presented. This year’s recipients are:
Band of the Year: Monroeville
Vocalist of the Year: Emily Bankester (performs with The Bankesters)
Instrumentalists of the Year: bassist Samson Grisman (son of legendary mandolinist David “Dawg” Grisman, performs with The Deadly Gentlemen), fiddler Alex Hargreaves (performs with Sarah Jarosz), and fiddler Christian Ward (performs with Sierra Hull)
Event/Venue of the Year: Appalachian Uprising, produced by Steve Cielic (new festival in Scottown, Ohio)
Industry Achievement: Crash Avenue publicist Emilee Warner
Mentor of the Year: Five-time IBMA Bass Player of the Year and producer Mike Bub
BMI Promotes Two in Nashville Office
/by FreemanMark Mason, Bradley Collins
BMI has announced the promotions of Mark Mason and Bradley Collins, both of whom are key team members in the organization’s Nashville Writer/Publisher Relations department.
“BMI is lucky to have two such engaged and forward-thinking Writer/Publisher executives on our Nashville team,” said Jody Williams, Vice President of Writer/Publisher Relations. “Mark Mason consistently creates win-win opportunities for BMI songwriters by providing showcase opportunities, as well as through strategic partnerships he develops. Bradley Collins is an amazing talent scout, organizational point person and problem solver. Mason and Collins have a unique ability to amplify songwriters’ talents and mentor them, without losing sight of what makes a writer special.”
Previously a Senior Director, Mason has been upped to Executive Director, Writer/Publisher Relations. He started his career at RCA and joined BMI in 1995 as Associate Director, assuming increasing levels of responsibility for developing and coordinating showcases in Nashville and the region.
Collins has been promoted to Senior Director, Writer/Publisher Relations from his previous role as Director. He joined the organization in 2002 from Acuff-Rose Music Publishing. His duties include coordinating writer events, creating opportunities for BMI writers and publishers, and identifying new sources of revenue and exposure for artists.
Demonbreun Property Changes Hands
/by Sarah SkatesDemonbreun-FCA, a subsidiary of Charlotte, N.C. based Faison Enterprises, purchased the lot. No word on the company’s plans for the land, but the Post reports Faison’s history of developing mixed-use properties, including the Avenue Murfreesboro.
The Lionstone Group unloaded the parcel, but retained another 1.5 acres on the roundabout itself.
Apple Streaming Service Delayed
/by Eric T. ParkerCoupling with this news, Sony/ATV is reportedly planning to withdraw digital rights from ASCAP and BMI at the end of 2012, collecting compulsory licenses directly. This would follow a move made last year by EMI to pull digital license services away from its previous administer, ASCAP.
Sony/ATV–owned by the Sony Corp. and the Michael Jackson estate–brings incredible leverage in negotiations especially since it recently acquired the EMI publishing catalog, now controlling rights to about 3 million songs.
In related Apple news, the company released the iPhone 5 in 22 additional countries today (9/28) with plans to be available in over 100 by the end of the year. In a rare statement of apology today (9/28), CEO Tim Cook acknowledged the dysfunction of the Apple Maps update associated with operating system changes surrounding the iPhone 5 release.
Hunter Hayes Offers Free Unreleased Song
/by Eric T. Parker“I am really excited to finally release ‘Light Me Up’,” Hunter says. “This is such a great way to say thanks to all the fans for their support!”
Additionally, CF has partnered with Hayes for 15 dates as he tours with Carrie Underwood’s Blown Away Tour. Fans can enter a sweepstakes to win a VIP experience, concert tickets and backstage passes to meet Hayes and receive a special performance. Additional offerings include support for an upcoming Livestream tour where Hayes will give free exclusive concerts, as well as a chance for fans to participate in the upcoming “Light Me Up” video.
Hayes is also slated to perform on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon tonight (9/28), which airs at 11:37 pm/ET.
Over the past three years, Road Trips and Guitar Picks has partnered with artists as Train, Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean and Little Big Town.
Willie Nelson Reflects In His New Book
/by Eric T. ParkerIn the November 13 release, Nelson opens up about his music, politics, his home state of Texas, religion, past relationships, his wife and children and includes never-before seen photos and stories from family, friends, and band mates.
The Red Headed Stranger, who talks about living in Hawaii and his Maui tribe, shares what it’s like to live in an entirely solar-powered community and how much that means to him.
The Outlaw tells of moving to Tennessee where Patsy Cline decided to record “Crazy” after she heard Nelson’s version, and how Hank Cochran hired him as a songwriter after hearing him play with Jimmy Day and Buddy Emmons. Kinky Friedman penned the foreword.
The book will be available from publisher William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins, for $22.99/$24.99 Can.
Nelson has recorded more than one hundred albums over six decades, appearing in several films, and written two New York Times bestsellers, as well as been named a Kennedy Center honoree in 1998. He was presented with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000. He is currently nominated for the 2012 Vocal Event of the Year at the 46th Annual CMA Awards alongside Snoop Dogg, Kris Kristofferson, and Jamey Johnson for “Roll Me Up And Smoke Me When I Die.”
Jagermeister Presents Jerrod Niemann
/by Eric T. ParkerFor Niemann, the upcoming tour will be in conjunction with the release of his sophomore album, Free The Music, on October 2.
Jagermeister, the No. 1 selling imported liqueur in America and the eighth largest selling premium spirit in the world, has a history of supporting bands, both from a local level to national amphitheater acts.
“We both come from German origins and both believe in the power of music,” said Niemann, of Jagermeister.
For tickets and information, visit www.facebook.com/jagerusa. Tour dates listed below.
10/10 Nashville, TN (3rd and Lindsley)
10/11 Oxford, MS (The Lyric Oxford)
10/13 Bradenton, FL (Joyland IV)
10/25 Farmington, NM (Farmington Civic Center)
11/8 Tulsa, OK (Cain’s Ballroom)
11/9 Oklahoma City, OK (Diamond Ballroom)
11/14 Clifton Park, NY (Upstate Concert Hall)
11/16 Poughkeepsie, NY (The Chance Theatre)
11/17 Stamford, CT (Palace Theater)
11/30 Indianapolis, IN (8 Seconds Saloon)
12/1 Wisconsin Dells, MN (Crystal Grand Music Theatre)
12/2 Milwaukee, WI (Turner Hall Ballroom)
12/5 Macomb, IL (The Forum Live)
12/15 Rootstown, OH (Dusty Armadillo)
Dolly Parton Withdraws From Nashville Water Park
/by Freeman“Gaylord makes decisions that they feel are good for their company and their stockholders and I have to make decisions based on what is best for me and the Dollywood Company,” said Parton in a statement. “Governor Haslam, Mayor Dean, and all the folks in government have been great to work with. I really appreciate their support through this process.”
The proposed water park was originally announced in early 2012 as a 50/50 joint venture between Parton’s Dollywood Company and Gaylord, with Dollywood Company serving as the operating partner. The 114-acre family entertainment center would boast both water and snow park features, and employ up to 450 full-and-part time features. The original plan was for construction to begin in late 2012 and be ready to open in summer 2014 but with this announcement the park’s future remains uncertain.
Snapshots: Tracy Lawrence and Colt Ford
/by MichelleTracy Lawrence received two special honors from his community on Tuesday (9/25) evening at the Wilson County Humanitarian Award Gala for his philanthropy and charitable efforts. Community leaders showed their appreciation to a sold out crowd during the gala event, hosted by Storme Warren, by honoring Lawrence with the first ever Wilson County Humanitarian Award and proclaiming September 25th as Tracy Lawrence Day. “I feel very blessed to be the first to receive the Humanitarian Award,” said Lawrence. “I hope this will inspire others to the take time, give back and realize that we all can make a difference in the community.”
Special guests told the story of how Lawrence has helped make a difference in the community through his efforts with charities such as New Leash On Life, Golf & Concert For A Cure, Music with a Mission, and the annual Mission Possible Turkey Fry. Casey Beathard, the songwriter of Lawrence’s song, “Find Out Who Your Friends Are,” shared his thanks to the entertainer and performed for the audience. In addition, the event served as a benefit for New Leash On Life, an organization dedicated to providing care and improving the welfare of stray and abused animals in need.
(L-R): Wilson County Mayor Randall Hutto, Tracy Lawrence, Mayor of Lebanon Philip Craighead Photo: Alex Torrez
• • • •
At the first annual Colt Ford & Friends Celebrity Golf Classic benefiting St. Jude, Jake Owen, Darius Rucker, Justin Moore, John Anderson, John Michael Montgomery and Ken Block (Sister Hazel) surprised Colt Ford during his performance with a No.1 plaque commemorating his fourth studio release, Declaration of Independence. The album, released August 7, marked a career-high debut for Ford.
Others in attendance but not pictured at the inaugural event, were PGA stars Stewart Cink and Boo Weekley, NFL alumni Corey Miller, Atlanta Falcons placekicker Matt Bryant, NASCAR Driver David Ragan, and many others.
Pictured L-R: Justin Moore, Colt Ford Jake Owen, John Anderson, Ken Block, John Michael Montgomery and Darius Rucker.
40th Anniversary American Music Awards
/by MichelleThe 40th Anniversary American Music Awards will honor artists in the categories of Pop/Rock, Country, Rap/Hip-Hop, Soul/R&B, Alternative, Adult Contemporary, Latin and Contemporary Inspirational. Nominations will be announced Tuesday, October 9th at the J.W. Marriott L.A. LIVE. For the sixth year, fans will determine the winners by online voting at www.ama.abc.com
The Gibson Brothers Take Top Bluegrass Awards Prize
/by FreemanIt was destined to be a bittersweet evening.
The 23rd Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards, held last night (9/27) at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium will be the final one in Music City before the Conference and Awards move east to Raleigh in 2013. On top of that, the past year has dealt the bluegrass community some tough blows with the losses of bluegrass icons Earl Scruggs and Doc Watson.
So it was destined to be bittersweet, but it was also a time to celebrate and bring joyful sounds to life.
The opening number featured Del McCoury, Laurie Lewis, J.D. Crowe, Bobby Hicks, Jerry McCoury, and Bobby Osborne in a roof-raising all-star collaboration. Lewis and McCoury stayed on stage to serve as the evening’s hosts.
“Thank you, and welcome to the, uh, I didn’t bring my glasses, folks,” said McCoury as he tried to read the prompter. No worries, Lewis was there to back him up until he was seeing clearly.
Lewis also acknowledged the upcoming move of the Awards and surrounding World of Bluegrass Week, saying there was excitement but compared hosting the IBMA Awards at the Ryman to “holding the Gospel Music Awards in Heaven.” After all, the Ryman stage did play an integral role in the growth and nurturing of the musical form.
As one might expect, that stage had some fantastic performances. Highlights included The Gibson Brothers’ “We Called It Music,” with some lickety-split mandolin work; newcomers Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen turning in a cool, moody interpretation of The Box Tops’ (or Joe Cocker’s, if you prefer) “The Letter”; and perhaps most memorable of all, Dailey & Vincent’s heart-stopping gospel quartet a capella rendition of “When the Roll is Called Up Yonder.” The performance was so stirring, it induced wild cheers by the second verse and left audience members collecting their jaws off the floor. That’s how you do the Mother Church proud.
The Gibson Brothers performing at the Ryman. Photo: Alane Anno for IBMA
Other performers included nominees Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out, Dale Ann Bradley (with her “Somewhere South of Crazy” co-writer Pam Tillis), Special Consensus (with Josh Williams, Chris Jones and Sam Bush), The Boxcars, Blue Highway, and Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (on Lee Greenwood’s “Dixie Home”).
Lest you think I’ve forgotten, there were also awards. (The full list appears below).
The coveted Entertainer of the Year prize went home with The Gibson Brothers, who also also picked up the award for Gospel Recorded Performance for “Singing As We Rise,” which they recorded with Ricky Skaggs.
Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice also came up big, picking up awards for Song of the Year for “A Far Cry From Lester & Earl” and Album of the Year for Heart of a Song. “I’ve had speeches made up for years,” said an emotional Sisk, “and I’ve had to can them for a long time. This time it’s for real.”
Vocal Group of the Year went to Blue Highway, and its member Rob Ickes earned the Dobro player honor. Multiple nominee Russell Moore picked up the Male Vocalist of the Year award, Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers earned the Emerging Artist Award, and Dale Ann Bradley took home the Female Vocalist Award.
“The Lord gave us this particular genre because the songs are so heartfelt and true to life,” said Dale Ann.
Lonesome River Band’s “Angeline the Baker” won the Recorded Instrumental Performance Award and, rather conveniently, LRB banjo player Sammy Shelor was already onstage presenting the award.
Best Instrumental Group went to the Boxcars and then its member Adam Steffey nabbed the Mandolin Player Award. “I don’t consider myself the best at anything but I love this music and I consider it an honor to get up and play for y’all every night,” said Steffey.
Doyle Lawson and the late entrepreneur Ralph Rinzler were the 2012 Bluegrass Hall of Fame inductees.
Broadcaster Eddie Stubbs introduced Lawson, pointing out how at age 5 the artist heard Bill Monroe play bluegrass on the Ryman Stage during WSM’s broadcast of the Grand Ole Opry, and would now enter the Hall of Fame on the very same stage and radio station.
Clad in his signature sparkling scorpion-emblazoned jacket, Lawson rhapsodized about how bluegrass music had allowed him to play in every state in the country and 49 foreign countries as well.
“Because they’re putting me in the Hall of Fame, that don’t mean I’m done,” said Lawson. “I’ve got a lot of fuel left in my tank.”
The evening concluded with a spectacular tribute to the late, great Earl Scruggs. A visibly choked up Steve Martin hailed the banjo master as an inspiration to all banjo players. “Before Earl Scruggs, no one played like him. After him, everyone played banjo like him. Or at least they tried,” said Martin.
The tribute performance featured an ensemble cast of over 30 banjo players onstage. Everyone was there: Martin, Kristin Scott Benson, J.D. Crowe, Alison Brown, Sam Bush, Sammy Shelor, Chris Pandolfi, Sleepy Man Banjo Boys (with 10-year-old banjo wiz Johnny Mizzone), and many more. Del McCoury led the entire gang through a rousing version of Scruggs “Little Girl of Mine in Tennessee” to close out the evening.
From us folks in Nashville, farewell Earl, Doc, and the Bluegrass Awards. We’ll miss you.
Participants in the Scruggs tribute included Tom Adams, Eddie Adcock, Jessie Baker, Terry Baucom, Sam Bush, Kristin Scott Benson, Alison Brown, Jason Burleson, Greg Cahill, Jason Carter, J.D.Crowe, Jason Davis, Joe Dean, Steve Dilling, Glenn Gibson, Eric Gibson, Mark Johnson, Doyle Lawson, Laurie Lewis, Del McCoury, Rob McCoury, Lynn Morris, Joe Mullins, Mike Munford, Chris Pandolfi, Graham Sharp, Sammy Shelor, Sleepy Man Banjo Boys (Jonny, Robbie & Tommy Mizzone), Ron Stewart, Mike Sumner, Tony Trischka, Scott Vestal, Pete Wernick, and Roland White. Photo: Alane Anno for IBMA
The 2012 International Bluegrass Awards
Bluegrass Hall of Fame Inductees: Doyle Lawson, Ralph Rinzler
Distinguished Achievement Award Recipients: Byron Berline, Joe & Lil Cornett, Orin Friesen, Pee Wee Lambert, Kitsy Kuykendall
Entertainer of the Year: The Gibson Brothers
Vocal Group of the Year: Blue Highway
Instrumental Group of the Year: The Boxcars
Emerging Artists of the Year: Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers
Male Vocalist of the Year: Russell Moore
Female Vocalist of the Year: Dale Ann Bradley
Song of the Year: “A Far Cry From Lester & Earl” Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice
Album of the Year: Heart Of A Song, Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice
Gospel Recorded Event of the Year: “Singing As We Rise” by the Gibson Brothers w/Ricky Skaggs
Instrumental Performance of the Year: “Angeline The Baker” by Lonesome River Band
Recorded Event of the Year: “Life Goes On”
Banjo Player of the Year: Sammy Shelor
Bass Player of the Year: Marshall Wilborn
Fiddle Player of the Year: Stuart Duncan
Dobro Player of the Year: Rob Ickes (dedicated to Mike Auldridge)
Guitar Player of the Year: Doc Watson
Mandolinist of the Year: Adam Steffey
Broadcaster of the Year: Kyle Cantrell
Bluegrass Event of the Year: ROMP,produced by the International Bluegrass Music Museum; Owensboro, KY
Print Media Person of the Year: Marty Godbey, author of Crowe on the Banjo: The Music Life of J.D. Crowe (Univ. of Illinois Press)
Best Graphic Design: Bedrock Manufacturing (designer) for Nobody Knows You, by the Steep Canyon Rangers (Rounder Records)
Best Liner Notes: Marian Leighton Levy (liner notes), for Tony Rice: The Bill Monroe Collection, by Tony Rice (Rounder Records)
Bluegrass Songwriter of the Year: Jon Weisberger
Earlier in the week, IBMA’s new Momentum Awards, designed to recognize promising new talent, were presented. This year’s recipients are:
Band of the Year: Monroeville
Vocalist of the Year: Emily Bankester (performs with The Bankesters)
Instrumentalists of the Year: bassist Samson Grisman (son of legendary mandolinist David “Dawg” Grisman, performs with The Deadly Gentlemen), fiddler Alex Hargreaves (performs with Sarah Jarosz), and fiddler Christian Ward (performs with Sierra Hull)
Event/Venue of the Year: Appalachian Uprising, produced by Steve Cielic (new festival in Scottown, Ohio)
Industry Achievement: Crash Avenue publicist Emilee Warner
Mentor of the Year: Five-time IBMA Bass Player of the Year and producer Mike Bub