IBMA Live - Thursday - Awards Show Edition

The stories of the IBMA award show were two standout surprises, some nice stories, and the amazing power shown by Dailey & Vincent who walked off with six awards to the enthusiastic cheers of the audience. Over at The Bluegrass Blog they raise the issue of whether six awards constitute a sweep. Dailey & Vincent took home enough hardward to decorate the mantles of every member of the band. That's a pretty strong performance. We had seats way up in the nosebleed section of the Ryman, and I didn't toddle down to the main level to take pictures, so please forgive the angles and, perhaps, a little fuzziness.

Cia Cherryholmes & Sami Butler at Awards Luncheon

Bill Harrell Receives Distinguished Achievement Award
from Larry Stevenson

Bill Harrell and Larry Stephenson

Kyle Cantrell - Broadcaster of the Year

Alan Munde Receives Distinguished Achievement Award
from Mike Bub

Ricky Skaggs w/odd banjo

Mando Jam in Exhibition Area w/Mike Compton

Jens Kruger, Mark Johnson & Joel Landsberg in Deering Booth

Terry Baucom w/Baucom Deering #1

Terry Baucom & Jens Kruger

Chris Pandolfi at Huber Banjos booth

Dale Pyatt & Steve Thomas

Kristin Scott Benson - Banjo Player of the Year

Brooke Justice, Darin Aldridge, Kristen and Wayne Benson & Hogan

Dale Ann Bradley - Female Vocalist of the Year

Steep Canyon Rangers open the show

Dailey & Vincent Receive One of Six Awards

Blue Highway sings "Window of a Train"

Michael Cleveland - Fiddle Player of the Year

The Steeldrivers

Andy Hall - Instrumental Album of the Year

Kristin Scott Benson - Banjo Player of the Year

Del McCoury Band
Del also did a fine job as emcee

Rob Ickes - Dobro Player of the Year

Dan Tyminski Band sings "Wheels"

Jamie Dailey accepts an award

Steve Gulley & Tim Stafford receive Song of the Year
for
"Through the Windows of a Train"

Dailey & Vincent - Entertainer of the Year
presenters - Lynn Morris and Marshal Wilborn

Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder Close the Show

Commentary on the IBMA experience next week some time. Fan Fest today and tomorrow. I'll be backstage. Should be fun.

IBMA 2008 - Live - Wednesday

As IBMA continued the attendance and intensity grew. Mentor sessions, the Gig Fair meat market, Showcase brunch, the exhibition hall, dinner at Demo's, more "Official" showcases, and "After Hours" showcases tumbled one on top of the other. The adage, repeated to us by several more experienced attendees, is that IBMA actually stands for "I've Been Mostly Awake." Here's a sampler of pictures from several venues.

Kitsy Kuykendall, Mark Schatz, Tom T. Hall at Brunch

Jim Lauderdale

Lonesome River Band Brunch Showcase

Becky Buller, Valerie & Craig Smith
w/Mary Daub and Mary Burdette (?) of Grey Fox
at Gig Fair

Roger Williams & Andy Hall

Donna Ulisse

Young Turks at Nechville Booth

Jerry Douglas at Beard Booth

Andy Hall Sitter at the Master's Feet

Hunter Berry, Jamie Johnson, Aaron McDaris

Jere Cherryholmes, Alan Mills, Sandy Leigh Cherryholmes & Jeri Butler
w/Sami Butler

Mr. Roberts in Mrs. Roberts Booth

Si Kahn, Jens Kruger, & Joel Landsburg in Deering Booth

Pete Kuykendall - Founder of Bluegrass Unlimted

Miss Dixie Hall at Daughters of Bluegrass Rehearsal

Special Concensus at Showcase

Greg Cahill - IBMA President

Kathy Mattea

Eddie Biggerstaff

Steve Gulley

Phil Leadbetter

We're beginning to run down with another day of the conference to go and then two days of Fan Fest after that. Stay tuned for more, if I can stay tuned in myself.

IBMA 2008 - Live - Tuesday

Tuesday was a great day for meeting people, hearing music, attending sessions, and seeing old friends. Here's a sampler of the pictures I took with no commentary. More tomorrow.

Andrea Roberts - Booking Agent

Crowd for Dale Ann Bradley and Louisa Branscomb Showcase

Dale Ann Bradley, Louisa Branscomb, Tim Laughlin

Sierra Hull & Cia Cherryholmws

Tony Williamson & Two Loars at Elderly Instruments

Andy Falco and Eric Gibson

Janet Deering

Ned Luberecki, Janet Deering, & Jens Kruger

Donna Ulisse

Junior Sisk

Becky Buller & Valerie Smith

Ned Luberecki & Chris Pandolfi

Brooke Justice

Darin Aldridge

Meetin' & Greetin'

Kyle Cantrell & Your Faithful Blogger