Male Vocalist of the Year
Jamie Dailey
Russell Moore
Danny Paisley
Junior Sisk
Dan Tyminski
Female Vocalist of the Year
Dale Ann Bradley
Emerging Artist of the Year
Sierra Hull & Highway 111
Sierra Hull
Danny Paisley & Southern Grass
Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice
Junior Sisk
The Steeldrivers
Chris Stapleton
Tami Rogers
The Josh Williams Band
Instrumental Performers of the Year
Banjo
Kristin Scott Benson
J.D. Crowe
Steve Martin
Ron Stewart
Bass
Barry Bales
Mike Bub and Family
Fiddle
Hunter Berry
No Photo Available
Dobro
Mike Aldridge
Guitar
Jim Hurst
No Photo Available
Kenny Smith
Mandolin
Jesse Brock
There are lots of other awards like Song of the Year, Recorded Event, Bluegrass Event of the Year, Album of the Year and so-on, but these don't seem to admit themselves to photographic display, at least not by me. A look at the nominations suggests that the choices are not easy in any of the performance categories. While I don't think our membership has been very adventurous in selecting the nominees, nevertheless it's a very high quality group, and Irene and I both had to think long and hard about our choices. That's the way it should be.
It's worth remembering that the IBMA World of Bluegrass convention in Nashville from September 28 - October 4 is really a lot more than an awards show. Rather, it is two very different events separated by the Awards Show on Thursday evening, which culminates the business meeting. At the business meeting there are seminars and presentations dealing with the concerns and interests of the broad spectrum of people in the business, from artists to promoters to agents to equipment manufacturers and dealers, and on and on. There are also banquets where speeches are given and bands, usually up-and-comers, are seen by the industry. There's even a golf tournament. Beginning on Friday, and running for three days Fan Fest is a large and varied bluegrass festival. Bands contribute their performances and the money raised is used to support the Bluegrass Music Trust Fund which benefits artists in need. IBMA is a lively and exciting week. There's jamming nearly everywhere, in designated areas, and after hours showcases run from 11:00 PM until 2:00 AM. People say that IBMA actually stands for "I've Been Mostly Awake."
It's worth remembering that the IBMA World of Bluegrass convention in Nashville from September 28 - October 4 is really a lot more than an awards show. Rather, it is two very different events separated by the Awards Show on Thursday evening, which culminates the business meeting. At the business meeting there are seminars and presentations dealing with the concerns and interests of the broad spectrum of people in the business, from artists to promoters to agents to equipment manufacturers and dealers, and on and on. There are also banquets where speeches are given and bands, usually up-and-comers, are seen by the industry. There's even a golf tournament. Beginning on Friday, and running for three days Fan Fest is a large and varied bluegrass festival. Bands contribute their performances and the money raised is used to support the Bluegrass Music Trust Fund which benefits artists in need. IBMA is a lively and exciting week. There's jamming nearly everywhere, in designated areas, and after hours showcases run from 11:00 PM until 2:00 AM. People say that IBMA actually stands for "I've Been Mostly Awake."
Irene and I will be there, cameras in hand, hoping to record the events for you and trying to post daily, althought that isn't always easy. Hope to see you there.
