IBMA announces Bluegrass Music Award nominees ahead of Raleigh ceremony
Known as "the biggest night in bluegrass music," the International Bluegrass Music Awards is still two months away, but IBMA announced Wednesday the nominees up for awards at the September show in Raleigh.
Nominees for "Entertainer of the Year" include Balsam Range, Sam Bush Band, The Earls of Leicester, Del McCoury Band and Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers. Artists nominated for "Vocal Group of the Year" include Balsam Range, I’m With Her, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out and Sister Sadie.
Artists and bands nominated for "Instrumental Group of the Year" include Sam Bush Band, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, The Earls of Leicester, Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder and The Travelin’ McCourys.
"New Artist of the Year" nominees include Appalachian Road Show, Carolina Blue, High Fidelity, Mile Twelve and Billy Strings.
Winners will be announced at a Sept. 26 ceremony at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, which takes place in the middle of the five-day World of Bluegrass event.
World of Bluegrass runs Sept. 24-28 in downtown Raleigh and features conferences, showcases and the Wide Open Bluegrass Festival, or seven stages of music around downtown Raleigh and at Red Hat Amphitheater.
Other categories will honor songs, including "Song of the Year," "Album of the Year," "Gospel Recording of the Year," "Instrumental Recording of the Year" and "Collaborative Recording of the Year."
Individuals will also be awarded, including the categories of male vocalist, female vocalist, banjo player, bass player, fiddle player, resophonic guitar player, guitar player and mandolin player.
One of the most anticipated categories in the awards ceremony is the announcement of three inductees into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame. This year's inductees include dobro innovator Mike Auldridge, banjo player Bill Emerson and West Coast band The Kentucky Colonels.
Tickets for the ceremony can be purchased online or by calling 1-800-514-3849. The show will be broadcast live on Sirius XM Satellite Radio at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 26.
