Sierra Hull, Doyle Lawson, Billy Strings Land Bluegrass Noms
Sierra Hull leads the 2021 nominations for the International Bluegrass Music Awards with 5, tying her with the retiring Doyle Lawson who picks up 5 himself, while Balsam Range, Justin Moses, and Billy Strings also pick up multiple big nominations, and Molly Tuttle comes in with 2. Entertainer of the Year nominees include Balsam Range, Billy Strings, and Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, along with the Del McCoury Band, and The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys.
With the announcement of the 2021 IBMA nominees, three new inductees into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame were also announced in the form of vocalist and musician Alison Krauss, banjoist and band leader Lynn Morris; and early influencers the Stoneman Family.
One bit of intrigue resolved by the nominations is if Sturgill Simpson would receive any love from the established bluegrass community for his reprisals of his previously-released songs in bluegrass form via his two Cuttin’ Grass volumes. The answer is apparently “no.” Sturgill has been affixed at the top of the bluegrass charts with the two albums since they came out, swapping spots with Gary Brewer and the Kentucky Ramblers.
Nominees are selected in a three part process by the professional membership of the IBMA consisting of artists, songwriters, label personnel, radio hosts, event producers, managers and agents, and others. Winners will be revealed at the IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 30, at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh, North Carolina as part of the greater IBMA World of Bluegrass event.
2021 IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards Nominees:
Entertainer Of The Year
Balsam Range
Billy Strings
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
The Del McCoury Band
The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys
Vocal Group of the Year
Darin & Brooke Aldridge
Balsam Range
Blue Highway
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Sister Sadie
Instrumental Group of the Year
Appalachian Road Show
Billy Strings
Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
The Infamous Stringdusters
The Travelin’ McCourys
New Artist of the Year sponsored by Ron & Nancy McFarlane
Appalachian Road Show
Carolina Blue
Gina Furtado Project
High Fidelity
Merle Monroe
Song of the Year
“Banjo Player’s Blues” by High Fidelity
“Hitchhiking to California” by Alan Bibey & Grasstowne
“Just Load the Wagon” by Junior Sisk
“Leaving on Her Mind” by Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
“Richest Man” by Balsam Range
Album of the Year
Bluegrass 2020 – Scott Vestal, Patrick McAvinue, Cody Kilby, Dominick Leslie, Curtis Vestal
Distance and Time – Becky Buller
Fall Like Rain – Justin Moses
Industrial Strength Bluegrass: Southwestern Ohio’s Musical Legacy – Various Artists
Load the Wagon – Junior Sisk
Still Here – Steve Gulley & Tim Stafford
Gospel Recording of the Year
“After Awhile” by Dale Ann Bradley
“Grit and Grace” by Balsam Range
“Hear Jerusalem Calling” by Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers
“In the Resurrection Morning” by Sacred Reunion featuring Doyle Lawson,
Vince Gill, Barry Abernathy, Tim Stafford, Mark Wheeler, Jim VanCleve,
Phil Leadbetter, Jason Moore
“When He Calls My Name” by Alan Bibey & Grasstowne
Instrumental Recording of the Year
“The Appalachian Road” by Appalachian Road Show
“Foggy Mountain Chimes” by Scott Vestal, Patrick McAvinue, Cody Kilby, Dominick Leslie, Curtis Vestal
“Ground Speed” by Kristin Scott Benson, Skip Cherryholmes, Jeremy Garrett, Kevin Kehrberg, Darren Nicholson
“Mountain Strings” by Sierra Hull
“Taxland” by Justin Moses with Sierra Hull
Collaborative Recording of the Year
“Birmingham Jail” by Barry Abernathy with Vince Gill
“In the Resurrection Morning” by Sacred Reunion featuring Doyle Lawson,
Vince Gill, Barry Abernathy, Tim Stafford, Mark Wheeler, Jim VanCleve,
Phil Leadbetter, Jason
“My Baby’s Gone” by Justin Moses with Del McCoury
“Tears of Regret” by High Fidelity with Jesse McReynolds
“White Line Fever” by Bobby Osborne with Tim O’Brien, Trey Hensley, Sierra Hull,
Male Vocalist of the Year
Ronnie Bowman
Del McCoury
Danny Paisley
Junior Sisk
Larry Sparks
Female Vocalist of the Year
Brooke Aldridge
Dale Ann Bradley
Sierra Hull
Molly Tuttle
Rhonda Vincent
Banjo Player of the Year
Gena Britt
Gina Furtado
Rob McCoury
Kristin Scott Benson
Scott Vestal
Bass Player of the Year
Mike Bub
Todd Phillips
Missy Raines
Mark Schatz
Marshall Wilborn
Fiddle Player of the Year
Jason Carter
Michael Cleveland
Stuart Duncan
Bronwyn Keith-Hynes
Deanie Richardson
Resophonic Guitar Player of the Year
Jerry Douglas
Andy Hall
Rob Ickes
Phil Leadbetter
Justin Moses
Guitar Player of the Year sponsored by Yamaha
Trey Hensley
Billy Strings
Bryan Sutton
Molly Tuttle
Jake Workman
Mandolin Player of the Year
Jesse Brock
Sam Bush
Sierra Hull
Ronnie McCoury
Tristan Scroggins
July 22, 2021 @ 9:29 am
Trey Hensley,a true master.
July 22, 2021 @ 10:16 am
That’s gotta be Billy’s award to lose, but agreed, Trey is a beast
July 22, 2021 @ 9:39 am
Doyle Lawson should be the sentimental favorite, and rightfully so. His career cannot be underestimated. For a man who started on banjo with Jimmy Martin in 1963, he did good. A class act.
July 23, 2021 @ 4:59 am
I always smile when i see Danny Paisley nominated. That guy is the REAL deal. Hes uncompromisingly hardcore traditional, and likes it that way. His voice is really something. Hes not gonna appeal as much to the jamgrass folks as he is the traditional crowd. If he wins, it would be his 3rd IBMA award.
July 22, 2021 @ 11:00 am
I am yet to get into Sierra Hulls music. Is it possible to get some recommendations for an album to start with.
July 22, 2021 @ 5:57 pm
Daylight was her last album of traditional bluegrass music. Since then she’s switched to progressive bluegrass in the vein of Nickel Creek and Punch Brothers.
July 22, 2021 @ 11:13 am
Damn purists! No carpet baggers allowed.
July 22, 2021 @ 12:13 pm
Balsam Range are good. I don’t even know how I discovered them, algorithms probably. Good songwriters.
July 23, 2021 @ 10:56 am
I discovered them through Spotify, along with The SteelDrivers and Steep Canyon Rangers.
July 22, 2021 @ 3:01 pm
unlike so many mainstream ‘country’ awards nominees , this list of bluegrass nominees is a list of talented artists , singers and pickers… every one worthy of recognition for the integrity of the work alone . you can’t fake bluegrass music . you can play it or sing it ….or you can’t .
this is an inspiring group of nominees .
July 22, 2021 @ 6:10 pm
Best music ever god has truly Bless them kinda folks
July 22, 2021 @ 10:19 pm
Gee shock and surprise Rhonda Vincent is nominated. I totally love her music. I have been a fan for many years. I hope she wins. Also love it when she sings with Dolly Parton.
July 23, 2021 @ 2:07 pm
Danny Paisley! Now theres a dude who knows who and what he is. Hes not gonna be doing weird , goofy side excursions into the jamgrass realm anytime soon. Hes dyed in the wool traditional bluegrass, and he possesses a mountain voice thats as authentic as Ralph Stanley. You go Paisley!