Raleigh, North Carolina (September 27, 2018) — Balsam Range won the coveted
“Entertainer of the Year” Award at the 29th Annual International Bluegrass Music
Awards; the North Carolina-based group won this award previously in 2014.
The International Bluegrass Music Awards, hosted by Hot Rize, was held at the
Duke Energy Performing Arts Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. Awards were
voted on by the professional membership of the International Bluegrass Music
Association (IBMA).
The recipients of the 2018 International Bluegrass Music Awards are listed below:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR:
Balsam Range
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR:
Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver (this is the band’s 8 th win in this category, with the last
win in 2007)
INSTRUMENTAL GROUP OF THE YEAR:
The Travelin’ McCourys (the band’s first award, although members of the band have
won many awards individually)
SONG OF THE YEAR:
“If I’d Have Wrote That Song” – Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers (artist), Larry
Cordle/Larry Shell/James Silvers (writers) (the band’s first award in this category)
ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
Rivers & Roads – Special Consensus (artist), Alison Brown (producer), Compass
Records (label) (the band’s first win in this category)
GOSPEL RECORDED PERFORMANCE OF A YEAR :
“Speakin’ to That Mountain” – Becky Buller (artist), Becky Buller/Jeff Hyde
(writers), Crepe Paper Heart (album), Stephen Mougin (producer), Dark Shadow
Recording (label)
INSTRUMENTAL RECORDED PERFORMANCE:
“Squirrel Hunters” – Special Consensus with John Hartford, Rachel Baiman,
Christian Sedelmyer, and Alison Brown (artist), Traditional arranged by Alison
Brown/Special Consensus (writers), Rivers & Roads (album), Alison Brown
(producer), Compass Records (label)
EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys
RECORDED EVENT OF THE YEAR:
“Swept Away” – Missy Raines with Alison Brown, Becky Buller, Sierra Hull, and
Molly Tuttle (artists), single release, Alison Brown (producer), Compass Records
(label)
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR:
Brooke Aldridge (her second win in this category, previously in 2017)
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR:
Buddy Melton (his second win in this category, previously in 2014)
BANJO PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Ned Luberecki (his first win in this category)
BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Tim Surrett (his second win in this category, previously in 2015)
DOBRO PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Justin Moses (his first win in this category)
FIDDLE PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Michael Cleveland (his 11th win in this category, previously in 2015)
GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Molly Tuttle (her second win in this category, previously in 2017)
MANDOLIN PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Sierra Hull (her third win in this category, previously 2016 and 2017)
Previously announced inductees into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of
Fame – Ricky Skaggs, Paul Williams, Tom T. and Dixie Hall – were honored at
this evening’s show.
At the Special Awards Luncheon held earlier in the day, the recipients of the
following awards were also announced:
BLUEGRASS BROADCASTER OF THE YEAR:
(Northern Kentucky-based host of “Steve Martin’s Unreal Bluegrass”) Steve
Martin
BLUEGRASS EVENT OF THE YEAR:
Bluegrass on the Green– Frankfort, IL
BEST LINER NOTES FOR A RECORDED PROJECT (tie):
Craig Havighurst – The Story We Tell by Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers
Peter Wernick – Carter Stanley’s Eyes by Peter Rowan
BEST GRAPHIC DESIGN FOR A RECORDED PROJECT:
Lou Everhart
A Heart Never Knows by The Price Sisters
BLUEGRASS PRINT/MEDIA PERSON OF THE YEAR:
Neil Rosenberg
BLUEGRASS SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR:
Jerry Salley
SOUND ENGINEER OF THE YEAR (first year presented):
Ben Surratt
The previously announced 2018 Distinguished Achievement Award recipients –
George Gruhn, Christopher Howard-Williams, Curtis McPeake, Walter
Saunders and Chris Thile – were also honored at today’s luncheon.
“Congratulations to this year’s awards recipients and all of the nominees,” said Paul
Schiminger, Executive Director of IBMA. “Being recognized by your professional
peers with the highest honors in bluegrass music is quite an achievement,
considering the number of incredible artists and recordings in our music today.
This is a moment for everyone in the bluegrass community to feel proud and
celebrate the many accomplishments of the past year. It is no wonder the
appreciation of bluegrass is growing every day.”
