The International Bluegrass Music Awards

- Rules Of The Election
- IBMA Award Criteria
- Special Awards

The following rules, criteria and election procedures for the IBMA Awards are provided as an information resource. In some cases, this information may be paraphrased or abbreviated from the original documents which govern the awards in any given year. Also, exact dates for balloting and deadlines for recommendations may change depending on how days fall within the actual calendar or of the awards presentations. IBMA makes complete information relative to any given year available to members upon request.

Rules Of The Election
(Awards Voted By Full Body of Professional Members)

- These awards are to honor people who are known as, and have achieved fame as, bluegrass music performers.

- The twelve month eligibility period is from April 1st through March 31st the year prior to any given awards presentation.

- Voting is limited to current professional members of IBMA at each stage in the election process.

- Nominees are not required to be members of IBMA.

- The election will be accomplished in three stages as follows:

- Nominations: each current professional member of IBMA (at teh time of the mailing date) may make as many as five nominations per category* and sub-category on the first ballot which mails in May of each year.  Mailing number 1 contains:

• official nominations ballot 
• accounting firm return envelope
• a voter certificate which must be signed and returned with the ballot in order for that ballot to be counted.
• rules of election

(The first stage of election for the emerging artists of the year and recorded event of the year awards are determined by special committee and submitted to the full voting membership in the second stage of balloting.)

-Second ballot: to be mailed early or mid July for return by mid August. All eligible nominees receiving ten or more nominations* in the nomination stage will become candidates for awards and shall be placed on the second ballot. *(Song of the Year candidates will be all songs receiving ten nominations or more, or the top ten vote getters, whichever number is greater). Each professional member may vote for no more or no less than five candidates in any category in which they choose to vote. The second ballot mailing contains:

• official second ballot containing a listing of all eligible candidates;
• accounting firm return envelope; and
• a voter certificate which must be signed and returned with the ballot in order for that ballot to be counted.

- Final ballot: to be mailed on or about mid August for return by early September. The top five vote getting candidates in each category of the second ballot stage will become final nominees. Each professional member of IBMA may vote for their number one choice in any category on this final ballot. The final ballot mailing contains:

• official final ballot containing a list of the top five nominees in each category;
• accounting firm return envelope; and
• a voter certificate which must be signed and returned with the ballot in order for that ballot to be counted.

The results of each stage of the election will be tabulated by an independent accounting firm. Only the responsible employees of that accounting firm will know the results of the final tabulations until the winners are announced at the International Bluegrass Music Awards that year.

The awards election procedures are established by the board of directors of IBMA. The IBMA awards committee determines eligibility (i.e. assuring that all nominations fall within the specified eligibility period, etc.)

Current professional members of IBMA may vote for any or all categories appearing on the ballot. It is not necessary to vote in every category.

The official ballot shall not be cut or altered in any manner and may not be duplicated for voting purposes.

The accounting firm tabulating votes and the awards eligibility committee interpret every vote cast literally and members must be very specific in identifying exactly which candidate they are voting for. For example, please list the complete band name if voting for an entire band or an individual's name if voting only for one person from within a band.

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This award is for an outstanding gospel recorded performance of one or more songs, new or old, first commercially released or showed significant chart action during the eligibility period. Versions of recorded songs released on albums nominated for this award in prior years are ineligible. Recorded performance may be vocal, instrumental or a combination of both.  The award goes to the featured artist(s), producer, and label.

Album Of The Year

The award for an outstanding recorded performance by an artist or artists, first commercially released during the specified time period. The award goes to the artist(s), producer, and label.

Instrumental Album Of The Year

This award is for an outstanding recorded performance by an artist or artists featuring instrumental music, new or old, first commercially released during the eligibility period. An album project is eligible when 50% or more of its songs are instrumental performances. The award goes to the featured artist(s), producer, and label.

Instrumental Performers Of The Year

The awards for artists who, on recorded and/or in-person performance during the specified time period, have shown an extraordinary mastery of their instruments. Nominations and awards will be made in six (6) sub-categories: Banjo, Bass, Dobro, Fiddle, Guitar and Mandolin. The awards go to the artists.

Recorded Event Of The Year

This award is for a recorded album performance on which 50% or more of the songs represent special collaboration between two or more featured artists <individual(s) or group(s)> who do not regularly record together and who are each known primarily for their contributions and public performances separate from one another. These acts must have performed together, as a unit, on a musical recording released during the eligibility period with each separate act receiving special billing on the record label and/or the songs on which they are featured. The award goes to the featured acts, producer and label.

Emerging Artists Of The Year

The award for a group or individual, new to the national bluegrass scene, which has made considerable advances artistically and/or commercially during the eligibility period. The band or individual should be performing under its/his/her name on a regular basis and not have more than two previous finalist nominations for this award. The award goes to each group member or individual.

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• Basic Standard - A candidate basically is to be judged on the degree of their contribution to the advancement of bluegrass music and the indelibility of that impact.
  
  
• Individual/Group Candidacies - Individual or group candidacies will be considered on a case by case basis. Group candidacies in some cases have merit because collective contributions may have significance beyond that of any individuals in the group. Only people or musical groups may be elected to the Hall of Fame. Companies, publications, radio stations, and other groups -- many of which significantly foster bluegrass music -- are not eligible for Hall of Fame recognition.
  
  
• Scope of Activity - Flexible authority is vested in the Electors in identifying the scope of a candidate's activity in bluegrass music. He/she/it may have excelled in a narrow, specific sphere such as songwriting, publishing, musician, recording artist, etc., or he/she/it may have been active in several areas. In any event, a candidate must have achieved definitive leadership in his/her/its own field. However, it is definitely not mandatory to honor the leaders of every activity related to bluegrass music. A candidate truly must compete with all candidates in all fields, as well as with all candidates in their own field. Exceptions shall be made in even numbered years to allow the consideration of individuals for their contributions in a non-performing role.
  
  
• Span of Influence - The time factor of a candidate's impact on bluegrass music is completely flexible. It may cover an uninterrupted span of many years or it may cover two or more distinct and separate time cycles. Conceivably, a candidate may earn Hall of Fame recognition by one transient act, momentary in time, providing the impact on bluegrass music is deemed significant enough. Longevity of involvement with bluegrass music, therefore, will not in itself warrant recognition in the Hall of Fame.
  
  
• Influence on Others - A most significant criterion in evaluating a candidate will be his/her/its inspirational effect on others...the degree to which his/her/its influence is multiplied through others to create an impact on bluegrass music far beyond his/her/its direct individual contribution.
  
  
• Quantity vs. Quality - A candidate's ability to expand the popularity of bluegrass music is a quantitative virtue. The professionalism of the activity is a qualitative one. Both qualitative and quantitative criteria are to be considered equally and separately important; conceivably, one may be present without the other.
  
  
• Devotion to Others - Furthering bluegrass music by selfless devotion to the interests of others may enhance the candidacy of an individual, but it is not essential to winning. The activities of a candidate may be completely self devoted and still be considered significant enough to warrant recognition.
  
  
• Professional Conduct and Image - A candidate is expected to have practiced the highest caliber of professional conduct in order to have enhanced his/her own public image and that of bluegrass music.
  
  
• Personal Morals and Behavior - The selection process is not a judgment of personal morals and behavior, providing the latter do not negatively affect the professional conduct of the candidate and the public image of bluegrass music.

The Distinguished Achievement Award

IBMA's Distinguished Achievement Award program exists to honor those in bluegrass music who have:

• proven to be forerunners in their particular field of endeavor, and/or
• fostered bluegrass music's image with developments that will broaden the music's recognition and accessibility.

The awards extended to individuals for there contributions shall fall into specific categories and are especially appropriate when they provide acclaim for those not recognized by other IBMA Awards categories.

Candidates for the Distinguished Achievement should be judged on the degree to which they have contributed to or influenced bluegrass music in general or to a specific part of the industry. Their contributions should be unique given the relative period of time in which they were made and should embody the spirit of one who "pioneers" or open new possibilities for the music. The selection committee is also urged to consider significant recent influences on the music as well as historic ones.

The selection committee is required to spread the recognition afforded by the Distinguished Achievement Award to the various fields of endeavor which have an impact on bluegrass music. Each year the committee will achieve th awards purpose by recognizing one individual from each of the following four categories except that it can recognize two in the "General" category (a total of five recipients) whose contributions fit the above criteria

• Music - Artists, Composers, Side/Session Musicians.
  
• Media - Journalists, Broadcasters (Radio or Television), Photographers, Historians/Folklorists, Publishers
  
• Business - Promoters, Music Publishers, Agents, Recording Manufacturers and Distributors, Recording Engineers, Luthiers.
  
• General - International Organizers, Association Leaders, Friends of the Music, Philanthropists, Arts Administrators, Teachers/Educators, and other Innovators.

Criteria and Categories of Recognition

Selection Process

The Selection Committee of five members is appointed by the IBMA board chairperson. The committee is made up of professional members with at least ten years experience in bluegrass music and a demonstrated significant knowledge of the history of the music. The committee shall actively seek out potential honorees and solicit candidate's names from the IBMA membership. A brief letter of recommendation, sent to IBMA, and any support information on the candidate is sufficient for the committee's consideration.

From recommendations solicited and received, the selection committee shall compile a list of potential candidates (including recommendations from the selection committee itself). The committee shall convene at an appropriate time to review all candidates (usually in June or July prior to the IBMA Awards presentations) and shall select by majority vote the recipients of the awards for any given year.

Broadcast, Print Media/Writer and Bluegrass Event Of The Year Awards

Any IBMA member, fan or professional, may submit a nomination for Broadcast Personality of the Year, Print Media/Writer of the Year or Bluegrass Event (festival or concert production) of the Year. The recipients of these awards will be selected by special committees named by the executive committee of the IBMA board. Written nominations must be received no later than June 30. (Consult IBMA in any given year for exact deadlines.) Nominations for special awards should be submitted in writing to: Special Awards Committee and mailed to IBMA or they may be submitted via email.

Broadcaster of the Year

Criteria: This award recognizes outstanding service to bluegrass music in the field of broadcasting. The recipients must be judged by the committee for their:

• contributions to the field of endeavor
  
• professionalism - work in their community
  
• demonstrated ability to foster bluegrass music's image.

Because this is not a lifetime achievement award, longevity of service alone is not a factor.

Print Media Personality of the Year

Criteria: This award recognizes outstanding service to bluegrass music in the field of print media and journalism. The recipient must be judged by the committee for their:

• contributions to the field of endeavor
• professionalism
  
• work in their community
  
• demonstrated ability to foster bluegrass music's image.

Because this is not a lifetime achievement award, longevity of service alone is not a factor.

Bluegrass Event of the Year

Criteria: This award recognizes events (festivals, concerts, other live performance productions) for their outstanding accomplishment and service to bluegrass music in the field of event production. The event must have been active and the accomplishments evident within the general eligibility period for all IBMA Awards in that particular year. The recipients will be judged by the committee for their:

• overall contributions to the field of event production.
  
• professionalism and quality of presentation.
  
• work furthering bluegrass in their area of service.
  
• demonstrated ability to foster bluegrass music's image.

Longevity of an event (number of years produced) may be a contributing factor for extending the award, but length of service alone is not an acceptable reason for recognizing an event. All candidates must be judged and compared equally for their contributions within the stated eligibility period and nothing within these criteria prevents an event from winning the award more than once or in consecutive years.

• ability to enhance the message of the recorded work
• quality and professionalism.

Best Liner Notes - Album Projects

Criteria: The album for which the liner notes were written must have been released during the current eligibility period for album projects. Re-issues and compilations released during the eligibility period may be considered for this award if they include newly written liner notes.

• ability to enhance the message of the recorded work
• quality and professionalism
• ability to foster bluegrass music's image
• contribution to the field of writing

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