The Worldwide Bluegrass Music Affiliation (IBMA) has introduced the nominees for the 2026 IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards, the 2026 class of inductees into the Bluegrass Music Corridor of Fame, and the recipients of this yr’s IBMA Distinguished Achievement Awards. These honorees have been revealed throughout a particular reside broadcast from SiriusXM studios in Nashville, Tennessee.2026 IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards Nominees:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Billy Strings
Alison Krauss & Union Station
Sister Sadie
East Nash Grass
The Del McCoury Band
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Alison Krauss & Union Station
Genuine Limitless
Sister Sadie
Blue Freeway
Pink Camel Collective
INSTRUMENTAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
Billy Strings
The Travelin’ McCourys
East Nash Grass
Appalachian Street Present
SONG OF THE YEAR
Damaged Angels
Artist: The Grascals and Dolly Parton
Songwriters: Dolly Parton/Jamie Johnson
Producer: Kent Wells
Label: Billy Blue Information
Can’t Outrun the Blues
Artist: Trey Hensley
Songwriters: Trey Hensley/Bobby Starnes
Producer: Brent Maher
Label: Pinecastle Information
New Cluck Outdated Hen
Artist: Steve Martin and Alison Brown (Feat. Della Mae)
Association: Steve Martin/Alison Brown
Producers: Alison Brown/Garry West
Label: Compass Information
Value of Dwelling
Artist: Genuine Limitless
Songwriter: Jerry Cole
Producer: Genuine Limitless
Label: Edisonic Information
Discovering Your Method Residence
Artist: Pink Camel Collective
Songwriters: Heather Berry Mabe/Joseph Scott Patrick
Producer: Pink Camel Collective/Stephen Burwell
Label: Pinecastle Information
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Can’t Outrun the Blues
Artist: Trey Hensley
Producer: Brent Maher
Label: Pinecastle Information
All Will Be Effectively
Artist: Sister Sadie
Producer: Deanie Richardson
Label: Mountain Residence Music Firm
All God’s Youngsters
Artist: East Nash Grass
Producers: Jake Stargel/East Nash Grass
Label: Mountain Fever Information
Della Jane’s Coronary heart
Artist: Appalachian Street Present
Producer: Appalachian Street Present
Label: Billy Blue Information
Songs That Sing Me
Artist: Becky Buller
Producer: Stephen Mougin
Label: Darkish Shadow Recording
GOSPEL RECORDING OF THE YEAR
I Will Sometime
Artist: NewFound Street
Songwriters: Ronnie Bowman/Garnet Bowman/Chris Stapleton/Morgane Stapleton
Producer: Tim Shelton
Label: Billy Blue Information
The place the Soul By no means Dies
Artist: Bobby Osborne & C.J. Lewandowski
Songwriter: William M. Golden
Producer: C.J. Lewandowski
Label: Turnberry Information
Some Day
Artist: Blue Freeway
Songwriters: Olive Stockton/Tim Stafford
Producer: Blue Freeway/Dan Boner
Label: Rounder Information
You Don’t Knock
Artist: Darin & Brooke Aldridge with John Cowan
Songwriters: Cedar Walton/Wesley Westbrooks
Producer: Mark Fain/Darin Aldridge
Label: Billy Blue Information
Two Outdated Church Pews
Artist: Danny Paisley
Songwriters: Mark “Brink” Brinkman/Daryl Mosley
Producer: Greg Cole
Label: Pinecastle Information
INSTRUMENTAL RECORDING OF THE YEAR
Grandfather’s Clock
Artist: Bryan Sutton and Sierra Hull
Songwriter: Henry Clay Work arr. Bryan Sutton/Sierra Hull
Producer: Bryan Sutton
Label: Mountain Residence Music Firm
Huge Daddy Rabbit
Artist: Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper (Feat. Nathan Livers)
Songwriter: Nathan Livers
Producer: Michael Cleveland
Label: Yeah, Man Information
Cacklin’ Hen
Artist: Deanie Richardson and Kimber Ludiker
Songwriter: Conventional
Producer: Deanie Richardson
Label: Mountain Residence Music Firm
Let’s Get Out of Right here
Artist: Steve Martin and Alison Brown
Songwriters: Alison Brown/Steve Martin
Producers: Alison Brown/Garry West
Label: Compass Information
Tom & Jerry
Artist: Andy Leftwich
Songwriter: Conventional
Producer: Andy Leftwich
Label: Mountain Residence Music Firm
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Jaelee Roberts
Mason Through
Carson Peters & Iron Mountain
Vickie Vaughn
Daniel Grindstaff & The Uptown Troubadours
COLLABORATIVE RECORDING OF THE YEAR
Damaged Angels
Artist: The Grascals and Dolly Parton
Songwriters: Dolly Parton/Jamie Johnson
Producer: Kent Wells
Label: Billy Blue Information
Mild on My Thoughts
Artist: Tony Trischka and Billy Strings
Songwriter: John Hartford
Producer: Tony Trischka/Lawson White
Label: Down the Street Information
New Cluck Outdated Hen
Artist: Steve Martin and Alison Brown (Feat. Della Mae)
Songwriters: Arr. Steve Martin/Alison Brown
Producers: Alison Brown/Garry West
Label: Compass Information
The Satan Went Right down to Deep Hole
Artist: Bryan Sutton with Billy Strings
Songwriters: Tom Crain/Charlie Daniels/Taz DiGregorio/Fred Edwards/Charlie Hayward/James W. Marshall tailored by Bryan Sutton/Billy Strings
Producer: Bryan Sutton
Label: Mountain Residence Music Firm
Only a Holler Over
Artist: Sister Sadie and The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys
Songwriters: Robin Macy/Deanie Richardson
Producer: Sister Sadie/C.J. Lewandowski
Label: Mountain Residence Music Firm
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Dan Tyminski
Russell Moore
Greg Blake
Del McCoury
Trey Hensley
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Alison Krauss
Jaelee Roberts
Heather Berry Mabe
Sierra Hull
AJ Lee
BANJO PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Kristin Scott Benson
Gena Britt
Ron Block
Alison Brown
Tony Trischka
BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Mike Bub
Vickie Vaughn
Missy Raines
Barry Bales
Alan Bartram
FIDDLE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Michael Cleveland
Jason Carter
Bronwyn Keith-Hynes
Deanie Richardson
Andy Leftwich
RESOPHONIC GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Justin Moses
Jerry Douglas
Rob Ickes
Andy Corridor
Matt Leadbetter
GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Trey Hensley
Billy Strings
Bryan Sutton
Cody Kilby
Molly Tuttle
MANDOLIN PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Sierra Hull
Ronnie McCoury
Jesse Brock
Sam Bush
Alan Bibey
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Damaged Angels
Artist: The Grascals and Dolly Parton
Videographer: Natalie Simmons
Producer: Olly Rowland
The Satan Went Right down to Deep Hole
Artist: Bryan Sutton with Billy Strings
Animator: Pat Bradley, SpringShoe Animation
Producer: Josh Serrato
Ralph’s Banjo Particular
Artist: Kristin Scott Benson, Gena Britt, & Alison Brown
Videographer: Joseph Spence
Producer: Alison Brown
New Cluck Outdated Hen
Artist: Steve Martin, Alison Brown (Feat. Della Mae)
Videographer: Drew Levin
Producer: Alison Rose Gregory/Scott Roberts
Let the Circle Be Damaged
Artist: Sister Sadie
Videographer: David Rossow
Producer: Joshua Britt/Neilson Hubbard
2026 Bluegrass Music Corridor of Fame Inductees:
BYRON BERLINE (July 6, 1944 – July 10, 2021) was a multi-instrumentalist who performed music for over seventy years. He’s identified primarily for his fiddle work but additionally performed mandolin and guitar. Born in Caldwell, Kansas, he grew up in Oklahoma and began out on fiddle at age 5. Byron’s father, Lue Berline, was a championship old-time fiddler. Fiddle albums by Tommy Jackson and Howdy Forrester knowledgeable his taking part in; as he found bluegrass, Chubby Sensible and Kenny Baker have been large influences. In his mid-teens, Bryon started attending – and successful – regional fiddle contests. He met the Dillards in 1964 and subsequently appeared on their Pickin’ and Fiddlin’ album on Elektra. This led to his look with the group on the 1965 Newport People Competition. Though he earned a B. A. in Bodily Training from the College of Oklahoma, he made a profession in music. In 1966/’67, Byron labored for Invoice Monroe and recorded three tunes: “Gold Rush,” “Virginia Darling,” and “Sally Goodin’.” Throughout a two-year stint within the Military (1967-1969) he was assigned to Particular Companies and was afforded quite a few alternatives to play music. Shortly earlier than being discharged, he obtained a request from Doug Dillard in California to assist with the recording of an album. It was the beginning of a musically-active twenty-six-year keep out west. His associations there included Dillard & Clark, 1969-1970; Dillard Expedition, 1970-71; Nation Gazette (which he co-founded and with which he recorded a number of influential albums together with Traitor in our Midst and Don’t Give Up Your Day Job), 1971-75; Sundance, 1975-85; Berline, Crary & Hickman, 1978-90; L. A. Fiddle Band, 1978-93; and California, 1990-96. Byron was additionally an in-demand session participant and appeared on recordings by The Byrds, The Eagles, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, John Denver, Elton John, Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Jethro Burns, John Hartford, Nitty Gritty Dust Band, Don Reno, and Earl Scruggs. Byron returned to Oklahoma in 1995 and arranged the Byron Berline Band. He additionally opened the Double Cease Music Store in Guthrie. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Musicians Corridor of Fame and was the driving pressure behind the Oklahoma Worldwide Bluegrass Competition.
The NASHVILLE BLUEGRASS BAND (NBB), shaped in 1984 by Alan O’Bryant and Pat Enright in Nashville, shortly grew to become identified for its soulful harmonies, ingenious preparations, and deep respect for conventional bluegrass. Their early albums, comparable to My Native Residence and Idle Time (produced by Béla Fleck), showcased a singular mix of bluegrass, blues, and gospel, setting them aside with glowing vocal preparations and excellent instrumental work. NBB’s method was rooted in each authenticity and innovation. The group revived uncared for songs, reintroduced blues parts that had pale from bluegrass, and drew inspiration from each black and white southern gospel traditions. Their a cappella gospel performances, influenced by Black church music, grew to become a signature function, broadening the horizons of bluegrass audiences. The band operated democratically, with all members contributing to preparations and performances, fostering a cohesive ensemble sound that emphasised group unity over particular person showmanship. Internationally, NBB broke new floor by turning into the primary bluegrass band to carry out within the Folks’s Republic of China in 1986, demonstrating music’s skill to bridge cultural divides. Their excursions additionally reached Japan, Europe, and Brazil, incomes them international acclaim. Domestically, they carried out at prestigious venues just like the Grand Ole Opry and Carnegie Corridor, and their music appeared on main movie soundtracks, together with O Brother, The place Artwork Thou? The band’s lineup featured a few of bluegrass’s most revered musicians. Alan O’Bryant contributed a transparent tenor voice, revolutionary banjo model, and songwriting expertise—his track “These Reminiscences of You” grew to become successful for The Trio (Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Dolly Parton). Pat Enright offered a bluesy lead voice and regular rhythm guitar. Mike Compton’s mandolin, influenced by Invoice Monroe, added rhythmic drive and bluesy phrasing. Mark Hembree anchored the group with stable bass and vocals, drawing on expertise with Invoice Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys. Fiddler Stuart Duncan, becoming a member of within the band’s second yr, grew to become famend for his ingenious taking part in and later grew to become a prime Nashville session musician. Later members like Roland White and Gene Libbea additional enriched the band’s sound. NBB has earned two Grammy Awards, a number of IBMA Vocal Group of the 12 months honors, and widespread recognition for its artistry and innovation.
BARRY LYLE POSS (September 7, 1945 – Could 13, 2025) got here from Canada in 1960, with a fellowship and a pupil visa, to acquire a doctorate diploma in sociology at Duke College in North Carolina. Inside one chapter of finishing his dissertation, Poss answered a categorised advert for a graphic artist positioned by County Information, a small Virginia-based label. Although Poss didn’t know something about graphic design, David Freeman employed him anyway, and Poss gave up educating to comply with music, his essential ardour. After three years of immersion within the file enterprise, Poss and Freeman launched the Sugar Hill label in 1978. Poss acquired full management in 1980. He wished a powerful label id with a “signature sound” that stood for excellent artists and high quality manufacturing, a lot the identical as Sam Phillips had achieved with Solar Information. Whereas touring round rural areas within the South, Poss grew to become intrigued by the music of the kids and grandchildren of the mountain musicians he visited and noticed how they have been influenced as a lot by old-time and bluegrass music as by rock, nation and different new types of music. Ricky Skaggs completely personified this pressure. Sugar Hill’s first album was by Boone Creek, that includes Skaggs and Jerry Douglas. The success of that file begat a Ricky Skaggs solo effort, Candy Temptation, adopted by a joint effort with Epic Information on Skaggs’s Don’t Cheat in Our Hometown. That file helped pave the best way for a neo-traditional motion in mainstream nation music. With an early emphasis on bluegrass and folks music, Sugar Hill launched a number of the most critically acclaimed albums of the Eighties and ‘90s. They first introduced Chris Thile and Nickel Creek to worldwide consideration and launched albums for the Lonesome River Band, Dolly Parton, the Seldom Scene, Scorching Rize, Sam Bush, the Notorious Stringdusters, Ronnie Bowman, New Grass Revival, Pink Clay Ramblers, Steve Martin, Bryan Sutton, Doc Watson, and lots of others. Non-bluegrass luminaries of the label Townes Van Zandt, Man Clark, and Robert Earl Eager. Sugar Hill Information, beneath Poss, is credited with twelve Grammy successful tasks. Poss offered Sugar Hill to the Welk Music Group in 1998, and the label was subsequently bought by Harmony Music Group in 2015. Poss was offered the IBMA’s Distinguished Achievement Award in 1998.
THE LOST & FOUND carved a singular area of interest within the bluegrass music scene since its formation in 1973. The band was born out of a jam session amongst 4 mates – Allen Mills, Gene Parker, Dempsey Younger, and Roger Helpful – who shared a mutual love for bluegrass music. The identify “Misplaced & Discovered” was conceived by Mills, symbolizing how the members had been “misplaced” in different bands and had now “discovered” themselves on this new bluegrass ensemble. By 1975, they’d launched their first album, First Time Round, on Outlet Information. The debut disc featured authentic songs that have been written by Mills, together with “Love of the Mountains” and “If Right now Was the Final Day.” The band’s music, a mix of conventional and fashionable bluegrass, shortly resonated with followers. The lineup of the Misplaced & Discovered noticed modifications through the years, however the core members-Mills, Parker, and Younger – remained pivotal in shaping their sound. Mills, the group’s supervisor and stand-up bass participant, was identified for his excessive tenor voice and interesting stage presence. Parker’s banjo choosing, influenced by legends like Earl Scruggs and Allen Shelton, added a dynamic edge to their music, whereas Younger’s mandolin taking part in introduced a swing-influenced aptitude. The music of the Misplaced & Discovered was closely influenced by bluegrass greats comparable to Flatt and Scruggs, Invoice Monroe, and the Stanley Brothers. In addition they drew inspiration from up to date teams just like the Nation Gents and Seldom Scene. This mix of influences helped them create a sound that was each rooted in custom and refreshingly revolutionary. The band’s skill to combine conventional tunes with authentic compositions and songs from different genres made their music interesting to a large viewers. All through the late Nineteen Seventies and Eighties, the Misplaced & Discovered performed at quite a few bluegrass festivals and reveals throughout the US, incomes a loyal fan base. In addition they toured internationally, performing in international locations like Sweden, Holland, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland. Their infectious enthusiasm and down-to-earth model endeared them to audiences worldwide. In 1980, the band signed with Insurgent Information, which offered them with nationwide distribution and additional solidified their place within the bluegrass world. Over time, they launched a number of albums on Insurgent, together with Solar’s GonnaShine, The Deal, Hymn Time, and It’s About Time. Co-founder Allen Mills obtained an IBMA Distinguished Achievement Award in 2019.
Along with these honorees, the IBMA acknowledges people and organizations whose important contributions to the development of bluegrass music are honored by way of the Distinguished Achievement Awards.
2026 IBMA Distinguished Achievement Award Recipients:
GALLAGHER GUITARS was based in 1965 by grasp cabinetmaker J.W. Gallagher in Wartrace, Tennessee. The corporate has spent over six a long time cementing its legacy as a cornerstone of American acoustic craftsmanship. Transitioning seamlessly from customized furnishings to elite instrument building, the family-owned firm revolutionized the bluegrass panorama. By refining conventional physique designs to optimize projection, clear notice definition, and a superbly balanced tone, Gallagher remodeled the acoustic guitar from a strictly rhythm instrument into a strong voice for lead melody. Their legendary devices shortly captured the hearts of iconic musicians, most notably Doc Watson, who famously endorsed his beloved Gallagher “Ol’ Hoss.” House owners David and Reina Mathis proceed to steer the corporate ahead with the identical uncompromising dedication to hands-on craftsmanship and premium, aged woods which are among the many hallmarks of Gallagher Guitars.
Fiddler MATT GLASER has spent a long time redefining bluegrass music by dissolving the boundaries between conventional string types, jazz, and classical music. Rising within the late Nineteen Seventies, Glaser pioneered the city “jazzgrass” scene with groundbreaking ensembles just like the Central Park Sheiks, Fiddle Fever, and celebrated twin-fiddle recordings with Kenny Kosek on the album Hasty Lonesome. An influential educator and historian, Glaser grew to become chair of Berklee Faculty of Music’s String Division in 1980, later founding their acclaimed American Roots Music Program to champion improvisation. His multi-genre mastery led to high-profile work with filmmaker Ken Burns, traditionalist Hazel Dickens, and the ensemble The Wayfaring Strangers. In 2013, Glaser made historical past as the primary non-classical teacher awarded the celebrated American String Lecturers Affiliation’s Artist Instructor Award, cementing his profound, enduring impression on acoustic music.
DEREK HALSEY is an award-winning journalist, editor, copy author, and interviewer/biographer whose work has contributed mightily to bluegrass. His writing has been revealed in Bluegrass Limitless journal (the place he has over 100 articles to his credit score), The Mountain Occasions, the Herald Dispatch, Cincinnati’s Metropolis Beat, Kudzoo journal, and Gritz Music Journal, which he helped launch and served as Editor-At-Massive. Born in West Virginia and raised in Ohio, Halsey’s historical past with the music started in childhood by listening to Roland and Clarence White, the Dillards, Flatt and Scruggs, and the Grand Ole Opry on AM radio. Moreover, he’s a guitar participant who twice made the finals of the Non-Conventional Band Contest on the Clifftop Appalachian String Band Competition, noting that his time onstage helps him write about music.
The MARSHALL FAMILY burst on the bluegrass music scene within the spring of 1974. They made an unannounced cold-call audition on the residence of Ralph Stanley, who immediately grew to become their greatest supporter. He booked the group on his Memorial Day bluegrass competition and actively pitched them to different promoters. Stanley even coordinated their signing with Insurgent Information. The group, Ohiotransplants from West Virginia, was comprised of elder Chester “Pop” Marshall and his youngsters. Siblings David on banjo and Judy on guitar acted as co-leaders of the group. Each have been artistic writers and Judy’s clear, hovering vocals have been a key factor of the band’s sound. Rounding out the group have been brothers Danny on mandolin and Ben on acoustic bass. Though the unique group disbanded by the tip of the Nineteen Seventies, curiosity of their music stays sturdy even to this present day.
GARY REID was bitten by the bluegrass bug in 1974. It has consumed him ever since. By no means one to passively get pleasure from music, he’s very a lot a do-er. Recent out of the chute, he launched into what turned out to be a 39-year analysis challenge that he revealed as The Music of The Stanley Brothers. He was the debut bass participant for the Johnson Mountain Boys. In 1978, he based Copper Creek Information and through the years launched 175 albums and CDs. He additionally logged 20 years because the writer of the Bluegrass Calendar. From 1983 to 1996, he served because the workplace supervisor for Insurgent Information. Extra not too long ago, as a part of his obsession for All-Issues-Stanley, he wrote and performs a one-man play referred to as A Lifetime of Sorrow – the Life and Occasions of Carter Stanley.
Winners of the 2026 IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards shall be introduced on the thirty seventh Annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards, offered by Get It Performed, on Thursday, October 22, 2026, on the Troopers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Nominees for the 2026 IBMA Momentum Awards, which acknowledge artists and business professionals within the early phases of their bluegrass music careers, and the 2026 IBMA Trade Awards shall be introduced in the course of the week of July 20.
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