2017 IBMA International Bluegrass Music Awards

Where: Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, Raleigh, North Carolina

When: Thursday, September 28

The 28th Annual IBMA Awards Show were hosted by Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn, acclaimed artists in their respective careers and GRAMMY winners in their duo work.

The theme for this Awards Show was The Bluegrass Songbook, a common language spoken by bluegrass musicians the whole world over, and a context for one-of-a-kind pairings of stellar musicians in musical performance that bridge styles, generations and borders.

Listen to the lineup in Raleigh Fri-Sat, September 29-30.

Going into the 2017 International Bluegrass Music Awards saw Balsam Range and the Earls of Leicester leading the pack with eight nominations each. Balsam Range received six nominations for the band and two for their individual members, while the Earls pulled in five nominations, plus three for individual members.

Close behind were Gibson Brothers, with seven nominations (band and individuals), and Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper, with five nominations (band and individuals).

The IBMA Awards Show were broadcast live on Sirius XM Satellite Radio (Bluegrass Junction) on Thursday, September 28th at 7:30 p.m. EDT, streamed via Facebook Live, and will be made available for rebroadcast by radio stations worldwide,

Hoover over video, set volume, tap to play:

IBMA Awards Ceremony 2017 - Presented by Radio Bristol
IBMA Awards Ceremony 2017 - Presented by Radio Bristol
Posted by International Bluegrass Music Association on Thursday, 28 September 2017

Entertainer of the Year went to the Earls of Leicester. The Jerry Douglas-led supergroup won the top award for the third consecutive year thumping Balsam Range, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Flatt Lonesome and The Gibson Brothers.
Jerry Douglas stated, “It’s always a pleasure coming to IBMA’s, and we’re thrilled and honored to win the Entertainer of the Year Award.  Personally, I loved it that so many young people where winning awards last night.  Things are moving in the right direction for bluegrass.”

Flatt Lonesome repeated as Vocal Group of the Year for the second consecutive time.

Balsam Range, the quintet from Haywood County, won the prestigious Album of the Year for MOUNTAIN VOODOO, which was released on North Carolina-based Mountain Home Records.

Brooke Aldridge, half of the Cherryville-based duo Darin & Brooke Aldridge, won Female Vocalist of the Year beating out Dale Ann Bradley, Sierra Hull, Amanda Smith and Molly Tuttle.

Shawn Camp took home the Male Vocalist Of The Year cup snagging the trophy over fellow nominees Eric Gibson, Leigh Gibson, Buddy Melton and Russell Moore.

“It was a true honor to win the Male Vocalist of the year," said Shawn Camp.  "It was especially humbling to win this award after seeing greats like Hazel & Alice, Roland White, and my favorite fiddle player Bobby Hicks get inducted in to the Bluegrass Hall of Fame.  Without those folks, I don’t know if I’d be here.”

Sierra Hull picked up Mandolin Player of the Year again after becoming the first woman to win the award in 2016.

IBMA 2017 Mandolin Player Of The Year: Sierra Hull

Guitar prodigy Molly Tuttle became the first woman to win Guitar Player Of The Year.

The Up-and-coming guitarist and singer has signed with Compass Records, just in time for the whirlwind week at IBMA World of Bluegrass in Raleigh. 

Tuttle, who has been catching the attention of the bluegrass world since she was a teen playing with her family’s band in California, has headed up her own group for the past few years and recently released a solo debut EP, RISE, which has found favor with critics and radio broadcasters alike. Alison Brown, co-founder of Compass Records, had nothing but praise for Tuttle. “I’ve been a fan of Molly’s since I heard her at IBMA’s World of Bluegrass convention nearly a decade ago,” she said. “Since then it’s been wonderful to watch her mature into a great songwriter, guitarist, and bandleader. The depth of her musicianship is extremely impressive and I’m really proud of her both for what she is bringing to contemporary bluegrass as well as the example she is setting for the next generation.” - www.mollytuttlemusic.com

Emerging Artist Of The Year Winners: Volume Five
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WINNERS - 2017 International Bluegrass Music Awards

Entertainer Of The Year: Earls of Leicester

Vocal Group Of The Year: Flatt Lonesome

Instrumental Group Of The Year: Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper

Song Of The Year: “I Am a Drifter,” Volume Five (written by Donna Ulisse and Marc Rossi)

Album Of The Year: Balsam Range, “Mountain Voodoo”

Mountain Voodoo – Balsam Range (artist), Balsam Range (producer), Mountain Home Records (label)

Female Vocalist Of The Year: Brooke Aldridge

Male Vocalist Of The Year: Shawn Camp

Emerging Artist Of The Year: Volume Five

Gospel Recorded Performance Of The Year: (tie)

Gibson Brothers’ “I Found a Church Today”

The Gibson Brothers (artist), Eric Gibson/Leigh Gibson (writers), In the Ground (album), Eric Gibson, Leigh Gibson, and Mike Barber (producers), Rounder Records (label)

Joe Mullins & Radio Ramblers’ “Sacred Memories” (with Ricky Skaggs and Sharon White)

with Ricky Skaggs and Sharon White Skaggs (artist), Dolly Parton (writer), Sacred Memories (album), Joe Mullins (producer), Rebel Records (label)

Instrumental Recorded Performance: Michael Cleveland, “Fiddler’s Dream”

Michael Cleveland (artist), Arthur Smith (writer), Fiddler’s Dream (album), Jeff White and Michael Cleveland (producers), Compass Records (label)

Recorded Event Of The Year: “I’ve Gotta Get a Message to You,” Bobby Osborne with Sierra Hull, Alison Brown, others

Banjo Player Of The Year: Noam Pikelny (Punch Brothers)

Bass Player Of The Year: Alan Bartram (Del McCory Band)

Dobro Player Of The Year: Josh Swift (Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver)

Fiddle Player Of The Year: Patrick McAvinue

Guitar Player Of The Year: Molly Tuttle

Mandolin Player Of The Year: Sierra Hull

The 2017 Bluegrass Songwriter of the Year Special Award: Tim Stafford

Josh Swift: 2017 IBMA Dobro Player of the Year

Credit: Dave Brainard for IBMA 

Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver's Josh Swift brought home the Instrumental Performer of the Year honor for his innovative Dobro skills last night at the 28th Annual International Bluegrass Music Association Awards held at Raleigh, North Carolina's Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts. 

Swift, a 31-year-old Tennessee native who has been with DLQ for 10 years, says of his win, "I told my wife that if I walked out there to accept that award, I'd pass a pig flying by.  I am stunned, overwhelmed, and humbled to even be considered on that list with four of my heroes."

It was a busy evening for the group. DLQ opened the evening's entertainment with a performance of "Derailed," and Doyle shared presenting duties with the lovely Claire Lynch for both the Song of the Year and Album of the Year awards

Distinguished Achievement Awards

Guitar great Norman Blake received a 2017 Distinguished Achievement Award (presented by Tim O'Brien)

Influential songwriter Louisa Branscomb received a 2017 Distinguished Achievement Award (presented by Dale Ann Bradley and Jeanettes Music)

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— IBMA (@IntlBluegrass) 28 September 2017

Full list of the 2017 International Bluegrass Music Awards Nominees at ibma.org

Congratulations to our winners at this year's International Bluegrass Music Association #ibma #awards! Michael...
Posted by Compass Records Group on Thursday, 28 September 2017

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