The comedian and banjo player joins fellow picker Brown for the IBMA’s September ceremonies
Steve Martin isn’t just an IBMA nominee — he’s also the host. The comedian and banjo player will co-host the 2025 International Bluegrass Music Association Awards with fellow picker Alison Brown.
“I’m thrilled to be hosting with Alison Brown, and connecting with all my bluegrass friends as opposed to my kinda dumb comedy friends,” Martin quipped in a statement.
Set for Sept. 18 at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the IBMAs will honor the best in bluegrass and string music. This year, that includes Martin and Brown. The duo is nominated for Song of the Year for their collaboration “5 Days Out, 2 Days Back,” featuring guitarist Tim O’Brien. They’re also up for Collaborative Recording of the Year and Music Video of the Year for the song. (Martin and Brown, who is up for Banjo Player of the Year, will release an album together, Safe, Sensible and Sane, in October.)
“The IBMA Awards show is always one of my very favorite nights of the year,” Brown said in a statement. “I’m so honored to co-host this year with my banjo pal Steve Martin.”
Other major nominees at the 36th annual awards include Alison Krauss & Union Station and Billy Strings. Both are up for Entertainer of the Year, along with Appalachian Road Show, East Nash Grass, and the Del McCoury Band. This year’s New Artist nominees include AJ Lee & Blue Summit, Bronwyn Keith-Hynes, Jason Carter, Red Camel Collective, and Wyatt Ellis.
The 2025 awards mark the first time the IBMAs will be held in Chattanooga after years in Raleigh, North Carolina. The IBMAs are expected to stay in Chattanooga through 2027.
