Monday, August 31, 2009

IBMA Nominees Preview - Part 2

Here's Part 2 of my portfolio of Nominees for awards at the upcoming IBMA awards show, to be held in the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN on Thursday, October 1, 2009.  It focuses on individual awards in many categories. 

Male Vocalist of the Year
Jamie Dailey
Russell Moore
 
 Danny Paisley
 
 
Junior Sisk

Dan Tyminski
 
Female Vocalist of the Year
Dale Ann Bradley
Sonya Isaacs
Claire Lynch
Alecia Nugent
Rhonda Vincent

Emerging Artist of the Year

Sierra Hull & Highway 111
Sierra Hull

Sierra Hull and Cory Walker

Danny Paisley & Southern Grass
Danny Paisley

  Michael Paisley

Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice
Junior Sisk

 Timmy Massey & Junior Sisk

Billy Hawks

The Steeldrivers
Chris Stapleton
 
Tami Rogers


The Josh Williams Band
 Josh Williams

Instrumental Performers of the Year

Banjo
Kristin Scott Benson
 
J.D. Crowe 

Steve Martin
  Sammy Shelor
 
Ron Stewart 

 
Bass
Barry Bales

Mike Bub and Family
Missy Raines
Darrin Vincent
Marshall Wilborn
 
Fiddle
Hunter Berry 
 Jason Carter
Michael Cleveland
Ron Stewart
Stuart Duncan
No Photo Available


Dobro
Mike Aldridge
Jerry Douglas
Andy Hall

Rob Ickes
Randy Kohrs
Phil Leadbetter


Guitar
Jim Hurst
Tony Rice
Bryan Sutton
No Photo Available


Kenny Smith
Josh Williams


Mandolin
Jesse Brock

Sam Bush
Sierra Hull
Ron McCoury
Adam Steffey


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."  
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.