Rolling Stone <\/em>backstage. \u201cAnd to also let these folks know that I\u2019m still here with them. I haven\u2019t abandoned bluegrass. I very much am still wanting to be here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\tA multifaceted guitar wizard who has singlehandedly brought bluegrass to the arena level, the singer-songwriter took home his fourth Entertainer win. Held at the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Auditorium, the award show was hosted by the banjo duo of Alison Brown and Steve Martin.<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cSometimes I feel that music of certain frequencies we\u2019re drawn to at different points in time,\u201d Brown says. \u201cI think the authenticity of bluegrass music is something that speaks to people in the age of big-tech and A.I.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\tFor Strings, who was at IBMAs all this week, being present was more than just a full circle moment. It was also a chance to witness the bridging of generations of artists whose core resides in the storied \u201chigh, lonesome sound.\u201d At one point during the conference, Strings jumped onstage with 90-year-old Paul Williams, best known for his work with bluegrass pillar Jimmy Martin & the Sunny Mountain Boys.<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cThe scene has changed, and actually for the better,\u201d says Greg Cahill of bluegrass act the Special Consensus, who are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year. \u201cPeople were worried about traditional bluegrass dying. Thank God for Billy Strings. He\u2019s brought all these young people into [bluegrass].\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cI\u2019m going to try to mix up the camo with the tie-dye a little bit, stir up the Nag Champa with the \u2018Roll Tide,\u2019\u201d Strings said in his keynote address earlier this week. \u201cWe have to continue to welcome new voices, whose unique perspectives and experience will enrich our collective artistic expression. We\u2019ve got to allow these fresh ideas to mingle with tradition.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n
\t\tEditor\u2019s picks<\/p>\n<\/h2>\n<\/section>\n
\n\tStrings\u2019 sentiments rang true throughout the award show, especially when it came to this younger generation of musicians breaking into the mainstream. From Vickie Vaughn getting Bass Player of the Year to East Nash Grass\u2019 Maddie Denton receiving Fiddle Player honors, these are crystal-clear signs of a new, bountiful era for bluegrass.<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cThere\u2019s just something about this music that\u2019s pure at its truest form,\u201d says Sierra Hull, who was honored with her seventh Mandolin Player of the Year trophy. \u201cWhen you can actually come and hear these instruments \u2014 just wire and wood and these three-part harmonies \u2014\u00a0there\u2019s a truth to it that speaks to a lot of people.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\tThose truths go back numerous decades, underscored by those being inducted into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame during the ceremony. This year\u2019s newest members included Hot Rize, the Bluegrass Cardinals, and the late Arnold Shultz, an old-time Black musician who remains a pioneering influence on the formation of bluegrass.<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cThe bluegrass pendulum swings left and right, to the progressive side and back to traditional,\u201d said Hot Rize mandolinist Tim O\u2019Brien. \u201cWhen Hot Rize started, it was a good time to run down the middle.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\tFormed in 1978, Hot Rize were trailblazers when it came to keeping one foot in the traditions of bluegrass, the other in the natural progression of musical creativity and sonic curiosity \u2014 the result being where we stand today with the names like Strings, Hull, Molly Tuttle, and Sierra Ferrell.<\/p>\n\n\n
\t\tRelated Content<\/p>\n<\/h2>\n<\/section>\n
\n\t\u201cOur hair was long and our tongues were in our cheeks,\u201d O\u2019Brien says. \u201cBut we fed on the tried and true ingredients [of bluegrass]. We were just jamming, but we hit enough of the right notes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\tFiddle virtuosos Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland garnered a handful of honors for their astounding record Carter & Cleveland<\/em>, including Song, Album and Collaborative Recording of the Year. Each time their names were called, Carter would help Cleveland, who is blind, up to the podium to receive the awards, grins of gratitude appearing ear-to-ear.<\/p>\n\n\t\u201cMichael has been one of my best friends for many years. He was the best man at my wedding,\u201d Carter says. \u201cWe have played a lot of music together and have been talking about doing this record for 15 years. Kind of a dream come true to get to play with one of the greatest fiddle players that\u2019s ever drawn a bow.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\tThe culmination of the awards show came with a poignant rendition of the late Ralph Stanley\u2019s \u201cLittle Birdy.\u201d With a murderers\u2019 row of talent overtaking the stage, Strings was front and center alongside Del McCoury, Hull, Brown, Martin, Justin Moses, Jim Lauderdale, Deanie Richardson, and more.<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cLittle birdie, little birdie\/Won\u2019t you sing to me your song,\u201d Strings howled into the heavens. \u201cGot a short time to stay here\/And a long time to be gone.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\t2025 IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards winners list:\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\tENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR<\/strong>
Billy Strings\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\tSONG OF THE YEAR\u00a0<\/strong>
\u201cOutrun the Rain\u201d (Jason Carter & Michael Cleveland)<\/p>\n\n\tALBUM OF THE YEAR<\/strong>
Carter & Cleveland <\/em>(Jason Carter & Michael Cleveland)<\/p>\n\n\tVOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR<\/strong>
Authentic Unlimited\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\tINSTRUMENTAL GROUP OF THE YEAR<\/strong>
The Travelin\u2019 McCourys\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\tGOSPEL RECORDING OF THE YEAR\u00a0<\/strong>
\u201cHe\u2019s Gone\u201d (Jaelee Roberts)<\/p>\n\n\tINSTRUMENTAL RECORDING OF THE YEAR<\/strong>
\u201cRalph\u2019s Banjo Special\u201d (Kristin Scott Benson, Gena Britt, Alison Brown)<\/p>\n\n\tNEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR\u00a0<\/strong>
Red Camel Collective\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\tCOLLABORATIVE RECORDING OF THE YEAR<\/strong>
\u201cOutrun the Rain\u201d (Jason Carter, Michael Cleveland, Jaelee Roberts, Vince Gill)<\/p>\n\n\tMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR<\/strong>
Greg Blake\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\tFEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR<\/strong>
Alison Krauss\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\tBANJO PLAYER OF THE YEAR<\/strong>
Kristin Scott Benson\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\tBASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR<\/strong>
Vickie Vaughn\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\tFIDDLE PLAYER OF THE YEAR<\/strong>
Maddie Denton<\/p>\n\n\tRESOPHONIC GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR<\/strong>
Justin Moses\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\tGUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR<\/strong>
Trey Hensley\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n
\t\tTrending Stories<\/p>\n<\/h2>\n<\/section>\n
\n\tMANDOLIN PLAYER OF THE YEAR<\/strong>
Sierra Hull\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\tMUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR<\/strong>
\u201cThe Auctioneer\u201d (The Kody Norris Show)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n
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