Admission: $15

The ethereal Alison Krauss received resounding applause for her work with Robert Plant, as the pair earned Album and Duo/Group of the Year, while gospel and soul hybrid Mike Farris walked away with New Emerging Artist of the Year bragging rights. The association also doled out its prestigious lifetime achievement honors, the majority of which went to BMI legends. Iconic singer and songwriter John Hiatt received the Lifetime Achievement Award in Songwriting, while pioneering rock-roots synergists Jason and the Scorchers claimed Lifetime Achievement honors in the Performance field. Influential producer Tony Brown surprised folk and roots force Nanci Griffith with the 2nd annual Trailblazer trophy, and Griffith returned the honor in kind, presenting a Lifetime Achievement Award in the Producer/Engineer category to Brown.

The audience at the Ryman enjoyed performances from top tier BMI singer/songwriters including Joe Ely, Ryan Bingham, the original Jason and the Scorchers, the Sam Bush Band, Kane Welch Kaplin, The SteelDrivers, Tift Merritt, James McMurtry and Todd Snider.

2008 BMI AMA Honors & Awards Winners

Album of the Year Raising Sand Alison Krauss & Robert Plant

Duo/Group of the Year Alison Krauss & Robert Plant

New Emerging Artist of the Year Mike Farris

Lifetime Achievement Honors:

Lifetime Achievement / Songwriting John Hiatt

Jack Emerson Lifetime Achievement / Executive Terry Lickona

Lifetime Achievement / Performance Jason & The Scorchers

Trailblazer Nanci Griffith

Lifetime Achievement / Producer or Engineer Tony Brown

Legendary Nashville rock band Jason and the Scorchers took home a Lifetime Achievement Award. Pictured are (l-r) BMI's Phil Graham, Jason and the Scorchers' Jason Ringenberg and BMI's Jody Williams.

Sarah Siskind captivates the crowd at the BMI Americana showcase.

The Branded Sons rock the Americana coffee lounge.

Pictured after the BMI showcase are (l-r): back row: BMI's Mark Mason, with the Branded Sons' Nate Clark and Mike Bair; front row: the Branded Sons' Dwayne Rushing, Laws Rushing and Jeff Brown, with BMI's Perry Howard.

Each year at the Americana Music Honors & Awards, the association bestows the industry's arguably most unique and personalized awards on winners.

Pictured are (l-r): BMI's Jody Williams, Lifetime Achievement Award winner John Hiatt and BMI's Phil Graham.

Joe Ely (left) chats with Jason Ringenberg (right) backstage at the Ryman.

Todd Snider (right) cracks up Jason Ringenberg (left).

For their first trip to the IBMA Awards together, Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent of Dailey & Vincent amassed a jaw-dropping ten nominations, including Entertainer, Male Vocalist nod for Jamie, Vocal Group, Emerging Artist and Album of the Year. New as a duo but familiar to the world of bluegrass, Dailey honed his skills under Doyle Lawson while Vincent proved an adroit apprentice of Ricky Skaggs. Two Song of the Year nods for tunes “More Than a Name on a Wall” and “By the Mark” added to the pair’s stunning nomination tally.

Musician powerhouse Blue Highway assumed production and key songwriting responsibilities for their latest release, Through the Window of a Train, and the resulting project emphasized the group’s virtuosity and versatility. Album, Vocal Group, Instrumental Group and title track Song of the Year nods number among the band’s six nominations. Members Tim Stafford and Rob Ickes earned individual nods for Guitar and Dobro Player of the Year, respectively. With nine awards lining his shelves, longtime BMI songwriter Ickes is the most awarded instrumentalist in IBMA history.

Esteemed guitarist and vocalist Dan Tyminski also garnered six nominations. Known to many as the guitarist for Alison Krauss and Union Station and the George Clooney’s canorous singing voice in O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Tyminski’s solo work over the past year with the Dan Tyminski Band earned a Male Vocalist of the Year nod – an award Tyminski swept for three consecutive years in 2001, 2002 and 2003. Members of the band earned a slew of individual nominations as well, including Barry Bales for Bass, Adam Steffey for Mandolin and Ron Stewart with dual nominations for Banjo and Fiddle Player of the Year.

Venerable BMI bluegrass favorites Rhonda Vincent & the Rage, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, The Grascals and The Del McCoury Band all obtained four nominations each, while first-time nominees Grasstowne joined elite company by also garnering four nods. A striking balance of recognition between the genre’s pioneers and most promising torchbearers emerged, as International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame members Earl Scruggs and J.D. Crowe all secured nominations, and rising stars Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper and The Infamous Stringdusters scored multiple mentions. Critically acclaimed new group The Steeldrivers also earned their first nomination.

As the 2008 recipient of the genre’s highest honor, BMI songwriter Bill Clifton will take his place in the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame. Clifton’s profound legacy rests proudly upon the creation of a strong European bluegrass fanbase and a songwriter catalog that includes “Mary Dear,” “Little White Washed Chimney,” “Walking In My Sleep,” “Going Back To Dixie,” “Blue Ridge Mountain Blues” and “Are You Alone.”

All 2008 BMI IBMA Nominees

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Dailey & Vincent
The Grascals
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
The Del McCoury Band
Rhonda Vincent & The Rage

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Blue Highway
Dailey & Vincent
The Grascals
The Isaacs
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver

INSTRUMENTAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Blue Highway
Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
The Infamous Stringdusters
The Dan Tyminski Band

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Jamie Dailey
Russell Moore
Dan Tyminski

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Dale Ann Bradley
Alison Krauss
Claire Lynch
Rhonda Vincent
Sonya Isaacs

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
(album, artist, producer(s), label)

Dailey & Vincent
Dailey & Vincent
Produced by Jamie Dailey & Darrin Vincent, Rounder Records

Lovin’ Pretty Women
Produced by Ronnie Bowman, Rebel Records

The SteelDrivers
The SteelDrivers
Co-produced by The SteelDrivers, Rounder Records

Through The Window Of A Train
Blue Highway
Produced by Blue Highway, Rounder Records

SONG OF THE YEAR
(song, artist, songwriter(s))

“By The Mark”
Recorded by Dailey & Vincent
Co-written by David Rawlings & Gillian Welch

“Drinkin’ Dark Whiskey”
Recorded by The SteelDrivers
Co-written by Mike Henderson

“More Than A Name On A Wall”
Recorded by Dailey & Vincent
Co-written by Jimmy Fortune & John Rimel

“Through The Window Of A Train”
Recorded by Blue Highway
Co-written by Tim Stafford & Steve Gulley

GOSPEL RECORDED PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
(song or album, artist(s), producer(s), label)

“Be Still Moses”
Produced by Ronnie Bowman, Rebel Records

“By The Mark”
Recorded by Dailey & Vincent
Produced by Jamie Dailey & Darrin Vincent, Rounder Records

Help Is On The Way
Recorded by Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Produced by Doyle Lawson, Horizon Records

INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
(album, artist(s), producer(s), label)

Sound of the Slide Guitar
Recorded and produced by Andy Hall, Sugar Hill Records

The Past Is Present
Recorded and produced by Jason Barie, Pinecastle Records

When At Last
Recorded and produced by Russ Barenberg, Compass Records

RECORDED EVENT OF THE YEAR
(album, featured artists, producer(s), label)

Christmas Grass, Vol. 3
Featuring Larry Sparks, Russell Moore and Charlie Daniels
Produced by Greg Cole & Chuck Rhodes; KOCH Records

Everett Lilly & Everybody and Their Brother
Featuring Marty Stuart, Rhonda Vincent, Billy Walker, Ronnie McCoury, Rob McCoury, David Ball, Larry Stephenson, Joe Spivey, Eddie Stubbs, Jason Carter, Dickey Lee, Freddy Weller, Andy May, Darrin Vincent, Clay Rigdon and Bill Wolfenbarger
Co-produced by Bill Wolfenbarger; Swift River Music

Standard Songs for Average People
John Prine & Mac Wiseman
Co-produced by John Prine & David Ferguson; Oh Boy Records

We Are Family
Jeff & Sheri Easter & The Easter Brothers
Produced by Jeff & Sheri Easter; Daywind Records

EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Cadillac Sky
Dailey & Vincent
Grasstowne
The SteelDrivers

INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMERS OF THE YEAR

BANJO PLAYER OF THE YEAR
J.D. Crowe
Jim Mills
Earl Scruggs
Ron Stewart

BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Missy Raines
Darrin Vincent
Marshall Wilborn

FIDDLE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Hunter Berry
Jason Carter
Michael Cleveland
Stuart Duncan
Ron Stewart

DOBRO PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Mike Auldridge
Jerry Douglas
Rob Ickes
Randy Kohrs

GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Tony Rice
Tim Stafford
Josh Williams

MANDOLIN PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Sam Bush
Doyle Lawson
Ronnie McCoury
Adam Steffey

BLUEGRASS BROADCASTER OF THE YEAR
Terry Herd; Into the Blue, Bluegrass Radio Network

BEST GRAPHIC DESIGN FOR RECORDED PROJECT
(designer, album, artist, label)

Smay Vision Graphic Design
The Stanley Brothers: The Definitive Collection (1947-1966)
The Stanley Brothers, Time Life

BEST LINER NOTES FOR RECORDED PROJECT
(writer, album, artist, label)

Frank & Marty Godbey
Bluegrass Holiday
J.D. Crowe, Rebel Records

Gary Reid
The Stanley Brothers: The Definitive Collection (1947-1966)
The Stanley Brothers, Time Life

Pictured are (l to r): Publicist Kim Fowler, Jason & the Scorchers’ Warner Hodges, AMA’s Danna Strong, Jason & the Scorchers’ Jason Ringenberg, Webb Wilder and BMI’s Kay Clary.

Roots music royalty Abigail Washburn and Béla Fleck read the list of award candidates, whose names were met with enthusiastic whoops and applause.

Longtime BMI songwriter James McMurtry garnered a slew of nominations, including Artist, Album and Song of the Year. McMurtry’s barbed wit and astute songwriting have resonated with listeners all over the world.

Pictured are (l to r): Hal Ketchum, Billy Block and Fats Kaplin.

Perennial BMI favorite Alison Krauss also received multiple nominations for her work with legend Robert Plant. In addition to a spot on the Duo/Group of the Year list, their collaborative effort Raising Sand earned Album of the Year, and their rendition of the Everly Brothers’ “Gone, Gone, Gone” secured a Song of the Year nod.

New/Emerging Artist of the Year nominees included a wealth of auspicious BMI singer/songwriters. Neo-soul, gospel conduit Mike Farris, gravely troubadour Ryan Bingham and the virtuosic bluegrass-dipped SteelDrivers all received well-deserved nods.

Pictured are (l to r): Third Coast Artist Agency’s Clint Wiley and Steve Hoiberg, Thirty Tigers’ Traci Thomas, Justin Townes Earle and Bonnie Whitmore.

Recognition also went to preeminent mandolin player and roots/bluegrass innovator Sam Bush in the Instrumentalist of the Year field; esteemed singer/songwriter Tiff Merritt, who received a Song of the Year nod for “Broken”; and triple-threat Kane Welch Kaplin, in the Duo/Group of the Year field.

The winners will be announced September 18 at the historic Ryman Auditorium during the 7th Annual Americana Music Association’s Honors and Awards Show. Hosted by Jim Lauderdale and featuring a band led by Buddy Miller, the Honors & Awards ceremony will also recognize iconic troubadour John Hiatt with the Lifetime Achievement Award in Songwriting and Jason and the Scorchers with a Lifetime Achievement Award in Performance. Additional honorees and performers will be announced in the coming months.

Abigail Washburn (left) and Béla Fleck (right) announce the nominees.

Slated for Wednesday, September 17 through Saturday, September 20, the 9th Annual Americana Festival and Conference will offer daily seminars, panels and networking opportunities at the Nashville Convention Center. Each evening brings more than 80 stacked Americana showcases to key venues throughout Nashville. Approximately 2,000 industry executives, artists and fans are expected this year.

For more information on tickets, becoming a member of the Americana Music Association and more, please visit www.americanamusic.org.

About the Americana Music Association
The Americana Music Association is a professional trade organization whose mission is to provide a forum for the advocacy of Americana music and to promote public awareness of the genre to support the creative and economic viability of professionals in this field. Dedicated to building and promoting the Americana genre and the individuals who participate in that industry, the Americana Music Association works closely with artists, labels, radio stations, retailers, print media, festivals, agents, publishers and more to help organize and build the infrastructure necessary for the Americana genre to achieve success both creatively and financially.

Pictured are (l to r): BMI's Jody Williams, Honorable Mayor Karl Dean, Abigail Washburn and Béla Fleck, with the AMA's Danna Strong and Jed Hilly.

2008 BMI Americana Music Association Honors & Awards Nominees

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Alison Krauss & Robert Plant
Raising Sand

James McMurtry
Just Us Kids

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
James McMurtry

INSTUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR
Sam Bush

NEW EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Mike Farris
Ryan Bingham
The Steeldrivers

SONG OF THE YEAR
“Broken”
Tift Merritt

“Cheney’s Toy”
James McMurtry

“Gone Gone Gone”
Alison Krauss & Robert Plant

DUO/GROUP OF THE YEAR
Alison Krauss & Robert Plant
Drive By Truckers
Kane Welch Kaplin

Sam Bush (right) fields questions from GAC Edge of Country host Kylie Harris (left).

Fresh-faced newcomers the Infamous Stringdusters took home three awards including Song and Emerging Artist of the Year; the ‘dusters shared bragging rights with J.D. Crowe & New South, whose project Lefty’s Old Guitar tied the Infamous String Dusters’ Fork in the Road for Album of the Year.

Host and Mandolin Player of the Year Sam Bush pauses for a photo. Pictured are (l to r): BMI’s Mark Mason and Jody Williams, Sam Bush, manager Tim McFadden and BMI’s Bradley Collins.

Tony Trischka’s Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular took home two awards for both Recorded Event and Instrumental Album of the Year. The project featured contributions from legend Earl Scruggs, along with BMI affiliates Kenny Ingram, Tom Adams, Bela Fleck, Noam Pikelny, Alison Brown, Scott Vestal, Steve Martin and Bill Emerson. Trischka, who co-produced the album, also scored a win in the Instrumental Players of the Year category for the banjo.

GAC’s Kylie Harris (left) and award-winning singer/songwriter Ronnie Bowman (right) finish their interview.

BMI bluegrass luminaries Doyle Lawson & Quick Silver celebrated their seventh Vocal Group win and sixth Gospel Performance of the Year honor. Fellow BMI affiliate Rob Ickes took home his ninth Dobro Player of the Year award, officially making Ickes the most-awarded musician among all IBMA Instrumental Performer categories.

BMI’s Mark Mason (left) and Jody Williams (right) flank bluegrass luminary Del McCoury (center).

Dale Ann Bradley secured a Female Vocalist of the Year award. A favorite amongst fellow artists and fans, Bradley’s voice prompted Alison Krauss to praise her as “one of the most gifted vocalists bluegrass and country music has ever heard.”

Ronnie Bowman penned “Never Wanted Nothing More” – a recent chart topper for Kenny Chesney. Pictured are (l to r): BMI’s Jody Williams, Ronnie Bowman, Ronnie’s wife and harmony vocalist Garnet Imes Bowman and BMI’s Bradley Collins.

Instrumental Players of the Year also included bassist Missy Raines, fiddler Michael Cleveland and guitarist Tony Rice; Cleveland, along with his band Flamekeeper featuring Audie Blaylock, also earned Instrumental Group of the Year honors.

BMI’s Jody Williams (right) chats with the Tennessean’s Peter Cooper (left).

Sirius Satellite Radio’s beloved DJ Chris Jones snagged the Bluegrass Broadcaster of the Year award.

Pictured are (l to r): BMI’s Jody Williams, with Sirius Satellite Radio DJ and songwriter Chris Jones.

The Bluegrass Hall of Fame inducted the late Carl Story this year. Affectionately dubbed the “Father of Bluegrass Gospel Music,” Story pioneered the genre alongside bluegrass royalty like Bill Monroe and Ralph Stanley.

Pictured are (l to r): BMI’s Bradley Collins and Mark Mason, multi-instrumentalist Rob Ickes and BMI’s Jody Williams.

Guitar stylist Mike Auldridge and Homespun Tapes’ Happy Traum will both receive Distinguished Achievement Awards. IBMA's Distinguished Achievement Award, an honor which recognizes individuals in the bluegrass music industry who have fostered the music's image with developments that broaden the genre's recognition and accessibility.

Pictured are (l to r): BMI’s Mark Mason, IBMA Executive Director Dan Hays and BMI’s Bradley Collins.

2007 BMI IBMA Award Winners

BLUEGRASS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
Carl Story

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver

INSTRUMENTAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper featuring Audie Blaylock

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Dale Ann Bradley

SONG OF THE YEAR
"Fork In The Road," The Infamous Stringdusters (artists), Chris Jones & John Pennell (songwriters)

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Lefty's Old Guitar, J.D. Crowe & The New South (artists), Rounder Records, J.D. Crowe & The New South (producers);
and Fork In The Road, The Infamous Stringdusters (artists), Sugar Hill Records, Tim Stafford & The Infamous Stringdusters (producers)

RECORDED EVENT OF THE YEAR
Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular; Tony Trischka with Earl Scruggs, Kenny Ingram, Tom Adams, Bela Fleck, Noam Pikelny, Alison Brown, Scott Vestal, Steve Martin & Bill Emerson (artists); Rounder Records; Tony Trischka, Bela Fleck (producers)

INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular; Tony Trischka (artist); Rounder Records; Tony Trischka, Bela Fleck & Ronnie Freeland (producers)

GOSPEL RECORDED PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
"He Lives In Me," Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (artists), Horizon, Doyle Lawson (producer)

EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR
The Infamous Stringdusters

INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMERS OF THE YEAR
BANJO: Tony Trischka;
BASS: Missy Raines;
FIDDLE: Michael Cleveland;
DOBRO Rob Ickes;
GUITAR: Tony Rice;
MANDOLIN: Sam Bush

DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Mike Auldridge
Happy Traum

BLUEGRASS BROADCASTER OF THE YEAR
Chris Jones, Sirius Satellite Radio

Rhonda Vincent

Rhonda Vincent & the Rage secured an impressive 11 individual IBMA award nominations, including nods for Entertainer, Vocal Group, Female Vocalist, Song of the Year for "All American Bluegrass Girl" and Album of the Year for the project by the same name.  Band member Hunter Berry received a nomination for Fiddle Player of the Year; and his solo debut Wow Baby is nominated for both Instrumental Album of the Year and Recorded Event of the Year.  Mickey Harris was nominated for Bass Player of the Year, and both Vincent and Kenny Ingram are in the running for Recorded Event of the Year for their work on New Songs, Old Friends and BMI affiliate Tony Trischka's Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular, respectively. 

Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver

Six-time recipients of IBMA's Vocal Group of the Year, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver are nominated for this award again, along with Entertainer of the Year, Song of the Year for "Sadie's Got Her New Dress On" written by BMI songwriter Connie Leigh, Album of the Year for More Behind the Picture than the Wall, two nominations for Gospel Recorded Event (for songs "We Shall Inherit" and "He Lives in Me") and Mandolin Player of the Year (Lawson). Guitarist/vocalist Jamie Dailey and Lawson will vie separately for Recorded Event of the Year, for their contributions to New Songs, Old Friends and Hunter Berry's Wow Baby respectively--bringing the band's collective tally to nine nominations.

Alison Krauss & Union Station

Longtime BMI affiliates Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas and The Del McCoury Band each received seven nominations.

The Del McCoury Band

In addition to Entertainer, Instrumental Group and Gospel Recorded Event of the Year, individual members of The Del McCoury Band earned nods for Mandolin Performer (Ronnie McCoury) and Recorded Event of the Year. The McCoury Music label also garnered an Album of the Year nomination for legendary artist Larry Sparks' new project, The Last Suit You Wear, co-produced by Sparks.

Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas picked up nominations for Entertainer, Vocal Group, Female Vocalist and Instrumental Group of the Year.  The prolific Jerry Douglas is nominated for Dobro Player of the Year, and vocalist/guitarist Dan Tyminski was also included in the Recorded Event of the Year category for his contributions to Wow Baby.

Kentucky Thunder is nominated for Instrumental Group of the Year--an award they have taken home eight times since 1998, while their album Instrumentals is up for Instrumental Recording of the Year.  Band member Darrin Vincent earned two individual nods: he contributed to Recorded Event of the Year nominee Wow Baby and produced Album of the Year contender All American Bluegrass Girl.  Smilin' Jim Mills received a nod for Banjo Performer of the Year - an award he has walked away with six times since 1999.

Additional nominees include Ronnie Bowman for Male Vocalist of the Year; The Infamous Stringdusters for Song, Album and Emerging Artist of the Year; Tony Trischka for the year's top Recorded Event, Instrumental Album and Banjo Player; Russell Moore for Male Vocalist of the Year; J.D. Crowe & The New South for Album and Song of the Year; fiddler extraordinaire Michael Cleveland & his band Flamekeeper for Instrumental Group honors; Blue Highway and The Isaacs for Vocal Group of the Year; Jim VanCleve for Instrumental Album and Fiddle Player of the year; Mark Johnson & Emory Lester for Instrumental Album of the Year; newcomers Cadillac Sky for Emerging Artist honors; Cia Cherryholmes for top Banjo picker and Mickey Harris for Bass Performer of the Year.

The late Carl Story will enter the Bluegrass Hall of Fame this year. Affectionately dubbed the "Father of Bluegrass Gospel Music," Story pioneered the genre alongside bluegrass royalty like Bill Monroe and Ralph Stanley.

Guitar stylist Mike Auldridge and Homespun Tapes' Happy Traum will both receive Distinguished Achievement Awards. IBMA's Distinguished Achievement Award, an honor which recognizes individuals in the bluegrass music industry who have fostered the music's image with developments that broaden the genre's recognition and accessibility.

Hosted by Sam Bush, the 2007 IBMA Awards will take place during World of Bluegrass week, slated for October 1-7 in Nashville. Tickets for the IBMA award ceremony are available through the Grand Ole Opry House box office (1-800-733-6779) and all Ticketmaster outlets. The show will also be broadcast live on XM Satellite Radio's "Bluegrass Junction" Channel 14. For more information, please visit www.ibma.org.

2007 BMI IBMA Nominees

Bluegrass Hall of Fame Inductee

Carl Story

Distinguished Achievement Award Recipients

Mike Auldridge

Happy Traum

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

Cherryholmes

Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas

Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver

The Del McCoury Band

Rhonda Vincent & the Rage

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR

Blue Highway

The Isaacs

Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas

Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver

Rhonda Vincent & The Rage

INSTRUMENTAL GROUP OF THE YEAR

Blue Highway

Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper

Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas

The Del McCoury Band

Paul Brewster and Darrin Vincent of Kentucky Thunder

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Ronnie Bowman

Russell Moore

Larry Sparks

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Dale Ann Bradley

Sonya Isaacs

Alison Krauss

Claire Lynch

Rhonda Vincent

SONG OF THE YEAR

Song Title, Artist(s), Songwriter(s)

"All American Bluegrass Girl"

Rhonda Vincent (artist & songwriter)

"Fork In The Road"

The Infamous Stringdusters (artists),

Co-written by Chris Jones & John Pennell

"Lefty's Old Guitar"

J.D. Crowe & The New South (artists)

Co-written by Dave Maggard & Jack Spencer

"Sadie's Got Her New Dress On"

Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (artists)

Written by Connie Leigh

"The Last Suit You Wear"

Larry Sparks (artist)

Co-written by Larry Shell & Larry Williams

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

All American Bluegrass Girl

Rhonda Vincent (artist)

Produced by Darrin Vincent & Rhonda Vincent

Fork In The Road

The Infamous Stringdusters (artists)

Produced by Tim Stafford & The Infamous Stringdusters

Lefty's Old Guitar

J.D. Crowe & The New South (artists)

Produced by J.D. Crowe & The New South

More Behind The Picture Than The Wall

Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (artists)

Produced by Doyle Lawson

The Last Suit You Wear

Larry Sparks (artist)

Produced by Larry Sparks

RECORDED EVENT OF THE YEAR

Vassar Clements, Tony Rice & The Low Country All Star Band

Featuring Tony Rice & The Low Country All-Star Band (artists)

Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular

Tony Trischka with Earl Scruggs, Kenny Ingram, Tom Adams, Bela Fleck, Noam Pikelny, Alison Brown, Scott Vestal, Steve Martin & Bill Emerson (artists)

Produced by Tony Trischka & Bela Fleck

New Songs, Old Friends

Featuring Vince Gill, Doyle Lawson, Oak Ridge Boys, Rob Ickes, Del McCoury, Sonya Isaacs, Rhonda Vincent, Stuart Duncan, Larry Cordle, Keith Sewell, Ben Isaacs (artists)

Wow Baby

Hunter Berry with Tony Rice, Doyle Lawson, Dan Tyminski, Marty Stuart, Bobby Osborne, Sonya Isaacs, Rhonda Vincent, Buddy Spicher, Ronnie Stewart, Darrin Vincent, Bob Moore (artists);

Produced by Darrin Vincent

INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Acoustic Rising

Mark Johnson & Emory Lester (artists)

Produced by Mark Johnson & Emory Lester

Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular

Tony Trischka (artist)

Produced by Tony Trischka & Bela Fleck

No Apologies

Jim VanCleve (artist),

Rural Rhythm Records

Produced by Jim VanCleve

Wow Baby

Hunter Berry (artist),

Produced by Darrin Vincent

GOSPEL RECORDED PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR

"He Lives In Me"

Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (artists)

Produced by Doyle Lawson

"The Promised Land"

The Del McCoury Band (artist)

Produced by Del McCoury & Ronnie McCoury

"We Shall Inherit"

Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (artists)

Produced by Doyle Lawson

EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Cadillac Sky

Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper

The Infamous Stringdusters

Williams & Clark Expedition

INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMERS OF THE YEAR

BANJO

Cia Cherryholmes

J.D. Crowe

Jim Mills

Tony Trischka

BASS

Mickey Harris

Missy Raines

Marshall Wilborn

FIDDLE

Hunter Berry

Michael Cleveland

Stuart Duncan

Ron Stewart

DOBRO

Mike Auldridge

Jerry Douglas

Rob Ickes

Randy Kohrs

GUITAR

Jim Hurst

Tony Rice

Larry Sparks

MANDOLIN

Sam Bush

Doyle Lawson

Ronnie McCoury

Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver	Rhonda Vincent	Alison Krauss

Alison Krauss and Union Station lead the BMI pack with a staggering 11 nominations for the group and individual members. The band received nods for Vocal Group and Instrumental Group of the Year, while individual honors include a Female Vocalist nomination for Krauss and a Dobro Player of the Year nod for Jerry Douglas. Douglas also garnered mentions for work outside of Union Station, namely for two separate Instrumental Album of the Year projects (including his solo album The Best Kept Secret) and a Recorded Event of the Year album. Union Station band member Ron Block also received a nomination for Banjo Player of the Year.

Jerry Douglas	Blue Highway	Del McCoury Band

Blue Highway closely follows with 10 nominations for its members, including Vocal Group, Song, and Instrumental Group of the Year. Band member Rob Ickes secured Instrumental Album and Recorded Event of the Year nods for 3 Ring Circle-his collaboration with Dave Pomeroy and Andy Leftwich. Ickes himself is nominated for Dobro Player of the Year as well.

Ronnie Bowman	Cherryholmes

Bluegrass mainstays Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver received a grand total of seven nominations, including their ninth nod for Entertainer of the Year. BMI's Rhonda Vincent and the Rage cemented six nominations, including a Female Vocalist nod to Vincent. 2005's surprise Entertainers of the Year the Cherryholmes are up for the honor again this year, cementing the group's position as one of the most popular new bluegrass artists, while nine-time Entertainers of the Year the The Del McCoury Band received numerous nominations as a group and individually.

BMI hit songwriter and top bluegrass vocalist Ronnie Bowman garnered a Male Vocalist of the Year nomination, while BMI artists Blue Moon Rising and Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper received Emerging Artist of the Year nods.

The 2006 International Bluegrass Music Awards will be broadcast live on XM radio Thursday, Sept. 28. The ceremony takes place at the legendary Ryman Auditorium during the International Bluegrass Music Association's week-long conference held in Nashville. Tickets are available now at the Grand Ole Opry House and all Ticketmaster outlets.

BMI's 2006 IBMA Nominees:

Entertainer of the Year
Cherryholmes
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
The Del McCoury Band
Rhonda Vincent & The Rage

Vocal Group of the Year
Blue Highway
Alison Krauss & Union Station
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Rhonda Vincent & The Rage

Instrumental Group of the Year
Blue Highway
Alison Krauss Union Station
The Del McCoury Band
Mountain Heart

Male Vocalist of the Year
Ronnie Bowman
Russell Moore
Larry Sparks
Dan Tyminski

Female Vocalist of the Year
Dale Ann Bradley
Sonya Isaacs
Alison Krauss
Claire Lynch
Rhonda Vincent

Song of the Year
"Brand New Heartache," Cherryholmes (artists), Cia Leigh Cherryholmes (writer)
"He Lives In Me," Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (artist), Frances P. Simpson (writer)
"Train Long Gone," Claire Lynch (artist), Dennis Linde (writer)

Album of the Year
Celebration of Life: Musicians Against Childhood Cancer, featuring 3 Fox Drive, Lonesome River Band, Seldom Scene, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, Cherryholmes, J.D. Crowe & The New South, BlueRidge, IIIrd Tyme Out, James King Band, Larry Cordle, Wayne Benson, Clay Hess, Greg Luck, Aubrey Haynie, Marty Raybon & Full Circle, Tony Rice, Ronnie Bowman & The Committee, Larry Stephenson Band, Blue Highway, Gena Britt, Randy Kohrs & The Lites, Steve Thomas, Scott Vestal, David Parmley & Continental Divide, Karl Shiflett & the Big Country Show, Kenny & Amanda Smith, Wildfire, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Lost & Found, The Grascals, Alecia Nugent, Carl Jackson, Jerry Salley, Don Rigsby & Midnight Call, Bradley Walker, Dan Tyminski, Bela Fleck, Barry Bales, Joe Mullins, Bryan Sutton, Jim Van Cleve, Clay Jones & Keith Garrett (artists), Skaggs Family Records (label), Bob Kelley (producer)

Cherryholmes, Cherryholmes (artists), Skaggs Family Records (label), Ben Isaacs (producer)

Let 'Er Go, Boys, Michael Cleveland (artist), Rounder Records (label), Jeff White & Michael Cleveland (producers)

Marbletown, Blue Highway (artists), Rounder Records (label), Scott Rouse (producer)

Instrumental Album of the Year
The Best Kept Secret, Jerry Douglas (artist/producer), Koch Records (label)

Hide Head Blues, Jim Mills (artist/producer), Sugar Hill Records (label)

Let 'Er Go, Boys, Michael Cleveland (artist), Rounder Records (label), Jeff White & Michael Cleveland (producer)

Not Too Far From the Tree: A Collection of Guitar Duets with Heroes & Friends, Bryan Sutton with Russ Barenberg, Norman Blake, Dan Crary, Jerry Douglas, David Grier, Jack Lawrence, Tony Rice, Earl Scruggs, George Shuffler, Ricky Skaggs, Jerry Sutton & Doc Watson (artists), Sugar Hill Records (label), Bryan Sutton (producer)

Three Ring Circle, Rob Ickes, Andy Leftwich & Dave Pomeroy (artists/producers), Earwave Records (label)

Recorded Event of the Year
Back to the Well, The Daughters of Bluegrass featuring: Lorraine Jordan, Gena Britt, Julie Elkins, Becky Buller, Vickie Simmons, Frances Mooney, Mindy Rakestraw, Jeanette Williams, Beth Lawrence, Angela Oudean, Michelle Nixon, Donica Christensen, Dale Ann Bradley, Heather Berry, Megan McCormick, Valerie Smith, Louisa Branscomb & Dixie Hall (artists), Blue Circle Records (label), Lorraine Jordan & Dale Perry (producers)

Down In Caroline, Curly Seckler with Kent Blanton, George Buckner, John Carter Cash, Laura Weber Cash, Dudley Connell, Rob Ickes, Josh McMurray, Russell Moore, Larry Perkins, Andrea Roberts, Chris Sharp, Herschel Sizemore, Kevin Sluder, Larry Sparks, Tater Tate, LeRoy Troy & Doc Watson (artists), Copper Creek Records (label), Larry Perkins & Penny Parsons (producers)

Not Too Far From the Tree: A Collection Of Guitar Duets with Heroes & Friends, Bryan Sutton with Russ Barenberg, Norman Blake, Dan Crary, Jerry Douglas, David Grier, Jack Lawrence, Tony Rice, Earl Scruggs, George Shuffler, Ricky Skaggs, Jerry Sutton & Doc Watson (artists), Sugar Hill Records (label), Bryan Sutton (producer)

Stomp, Mike Compton & David Long (artists), Acoustic Disc (label), David Grisman (producer)

Three Ring Circle, Rob Ickes, Andy Leftwich & Dave Pomeroy (artists/producers), Earwave Records (label)

Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year
Gettin' Ready, BlueRidge (artists), Pinecastle Records (label), BlueRidge & Wes Easter (producers) "He Goes To Church," Cherryholmes (artists), Skaggs Family Records (label), Ben Isaacs (producer) He Lives In Me, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (artists), Crossroads (label), Doyle Lawson (producer) "Lazarus," Blue Highway (artists), Rounder Records (label), Scott Rouse (producer) When The Morning Comes, Paul Williams & the Victory Trio (artists), Rebel Records (label), Paul Williams (producer)

Emerging Artist of the Year
Blue Moon Rising
Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper

Instrumental Performers of the Year
BANJO
Ron Block
J.D. Crowe
Jim Mills

BASS
Missy Raines
Marshall Wilborn

FIDDLE
Hunter Berry
Jason Carter
Michael Cleveland
Stuart Duncan
Ron Stewart

DOBRO
Mike Auldridge
Jerry Douglas
Rob Ickes
Randy Kohrs

GUITAR
Jim Hurst
Tony Rice
Josh Williams


MANDOLIN
Sam Bush
Doyle Lawson
Ronnie McCoury

Pictured enjoying the party are (l to r): manager Tim McFadden, BMI's Jody Williams and David Preston, and Sugar Hill's Bev Paul and Steve Fischell. Photo by Dan Harr

With roots planted deeply in bluegrass, Sam Bush shirks traditional boundaries and injects his music with doses of reggae and jazz. The unique result is worthy of the confident "new grass" label, for it remains exactly that -- always fresh, with hints of bluegrass roots peaking out from underneath the multi-layered sound.

Sam Bush performs with his band. Photo by Alan Mayor

Sam Bush belts one out on BMI's rooftop.Photo by Alan Mayor

Mariah Carey	Kanye West	John Legend

Mariah Carey's multi-platinum comeback album, The Emancipation of Mimi, and its smash single "We Belong Together," helped the pop singer score three of the most coveted Grammy nominations: Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Record of the Year. The hit ballad also picked up mentions for Best R&B Song and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, while Mimi added Best Contemporary R&B Album to Carey's haul.

Presenters for the 48th Annual Grammy Awards nominations included BMI songwriter/artists John Legend, CeCe Winans, Mariah Carey, Nickelback's Chad Kroeger and Patti LaBelle. Photo by S. Lovekin/WireImage

Rapper Kanye West continued his red hot streak, also earning nominations in the Album and Record of the Year categories with his sophomore release Late Registration and the hit "Gold Digger," respectively. He will compete against himself for the Album of the Year title as a producer on Carey's disc. As a songwriter, West will battle for the Best Rap Song crown with his "Diamonds from Sierra Leone," as well as Best R&B Song as a co-writer on the Alicia Keys track "Unbreakable."

Black Eyed Peas	Brooks & Dunn

Soul singer John Legend is up for Best New Artist, Best R&B Album for his debut Get Lifted, and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Song of the Year for "Ordinary People," which he also co-wrote. Legend joins his mentor Kanye West and rapper Common on the Best Rap/Sung Collaboration ticket with "They Say."

Casting Crowns	Common

Coming in with six nominations was Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas who, as a songwriter, has a shot at Song of the Year and Best R&B Song as co-writer of Legend's "Ordinary People" and Best Rap Song for the Peas' hit "Don't Phunk with My Heart." The band is also up for Best Rap and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

Death Cab for Cutie	Foo Fighters

In addition to Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, Common earned three other mentions, including Best Rap Album for Be. Four nods also went to Foo Fighters, Gorillaz, Billy Childs and BMI producer/songwriters the Neptunes, who have production credits on two Album of the Year nominees -- Carey's The Emancipation of Mimi and Gwen Stefani's Love. Angel. Music. Baby.

The Game	Gorillaz	John Williams

Earning three nominations apiece were Sheryl Crow, with Best Female Pop Vocal Performance ("Good is Good"), Best Pop Vocal Album (Wildflower) and Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for the single "Building Bridges," featuring Brooks & Dunn and Vince Gill; Eminem (Best Rap Solo Performance, Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group and Best Rap Album); and film composer John Williams, up for Best Score for Star Wars Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, as well as for Best Instrumental Composition for both "Anakin's Betrayal" (from Revenge of the Sith) and "The Ferry Scene" (from the War of the Worlds soundtrack).

Maroon 5	Norah Jones	Sheryl Crow

Double nominees included rappers The Game and T.I., songwriter Marcus Hummon, singer Norah Jones and gospel diva CeCe Winans.

Other BMI songwriters and artists collecting Grammy nominations were Christina Aguilera, Dallas Austin, Casting Crowns, Eric Clapton (PRS), Death Cab for Cutie, Paquito D'Rivera, Danny Elfman, Fall Out Boy, Osvaldo Golijov, Dave Holland Big Band, Intocable, Keane (PRS), Maroon 5, Sugarland, Ying Yang Twins, and BMI Icons Charlie Daniels and Brian Wilson.

Sugarland		T.I.

The 48th Annual Grammy Awards will be held in Los Angeles on February 8.

BMI's 2006 Grammy Award Nominees:

8 NOMINATIONS
Mariah Carey
John Legend
Kanye West

6 NOMINATIONS
William Adams

4 NOMINATIONS
Billy Childs
Common
Foo Fighters
Gorillaz (PRS)
The Neptunes

3 NOMINATIONS
Yolanda Adams
The Black Eyed Peas
Sheryl Crow
De La Soul
Eminem
Herbie Hancock
Faith Hill
Alison Krauss & Union Station
John Williams

2 NOMINATIONS
Bobby Boyd
Brooks & Dunn
Andrew Coleman
Andrew Dawson
Dixie Chicks
The Game
Michael Giacchino
Jeff Hanna
Marcus Hummon
Norah Jones
Delbert McClinton
Donnie McClurkin
Joel Moss
Willie Nelson
Al Schmitt
Fat Man Scoop
T.I.
The White Stripes
CeCe Winans

MORE NOMINEES
Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra with Arturo O'Farrill
Christina Aguilera
Trey Anastasio
Audio Adrenaline
Audioslave
John August
Dallas Austin
Ramon Ayala y Sus Bravos Del Norte
Marcia Ball
Ray Barretto
Steve Berkowitz
Big & Rich
Terence Blanchard
Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones
Blue Highway
Printz Board
William Bolcom
Peter Boyer
Solomon Burke
Burning Spear (PRS)
Sam Bush
Gary Calamar
Caribbean Jazz Project featuring Dave Samuels Orishas (SACEM)
Kurt Carr
Casting Crowns
Christopher Cerf
Steven Curtis Chapman
Cherryholmes
The Chieftains (IMRO)
Willy Chirino
Eric Clapton (PRS)
Dorinda Clark-Cole
Conjunto Progreso
Ry Cooder
Stewart Copeland
The Crabb Family
Robert Cray
Bill Cunliffe
Rivers Cuomo
Daft Punk (PRS)
Charlie Daniels
Day of Fire
Death Cab for Cutie
Deep Dish
Mos Def
Jack De Johnette
The Del McCoury Band
Ani DiFranco
Jerry Douglas
Dave Douglas
Paquito D'Rivera
John Du Prez (PRS)
Jerry Duplessis
Nokie Edwards
Danny Elfman
Ahmet Ertegun
Bill Evans
Fall Out Boy
Sammy Figueroa
Béla Fleck
Floetry
David Foster
Jamie Foxx
Aretha Franklin
Kirk Franklin
Carlos Franzetti
Larry Gatlin
Joachim Garraud (SACEM)
Gilberto Gil
Vince Gill
Jimmie Dale Gilmore
Osvaldo Golijov
The Grascals
Grits
Buddy Guy
Merle Haggard
John Hammond
Raiatea Helm
Dave Holland Big Band
Israel Houghton
Van Hunt
Eric Idle (PRS)
Intocable
Jamiroquai (PRS)
Jars of Clay
The Jazz Chamber Trio
Rodney Jerkins
Eric Johnson
George Jones
The Jordanaires
Ledward Ka'apana
Keane (PRS)
John P. Kee
Garison Keillor
Toby Keith
R. Kelly
B.B. King
Kitaro
Kraftwerk (GEMA)
Ladysmith Black Mambazo (SAMRO)
Las 3 Divas
La Secta Allstar
The Last Poets
La Tropa F
Donald Lawrence
Ricky Lewis
The Light Crust Doughboys
Lil Wayne
Harold Lily
Aaron Lindsey
Linkin Park
Little Joe
Los Lonely Boys
Los Pleneros de la 21
Andre Lyon
Maroon 5
Joeworn Martin
Martina McBride
Delbert McClinton
Vicky McGehee
Tim McGraw
Sarah McLachlan (SOCAN)
Meat Beat Manifesto
Pat Metheny Group
Luis Miguel
Mingus Big Band
Ministry
Keb Mo
Molotov
Rick Moranis (SOCAN)
Mudvayne
Martha Munizzi
Walter Murphy
Meshell Ndegeocello
North Mississippi Allstars
The Oak Ridge Boys
Claus Ogerman (GEMA)
Walter Ostanek (SOCAN)
George Pajon, Jr.
Eddie Palmieri
John Prine
Queens of the Stone Age
Rascal Flatts
Joshua Redman Elastic Band
Sonny Rollins
The Royal Jesters
Eddie Santiago
Marvin Sapp
Seal (PRS)
José Serebrier
Shakira
Wayne Shorter Quartet
Ron Sluga
Omar Sosa
Luciana Souza
Jimmy Sturr
Sugarland
Tierney Sutton
System of a Down
Ali Farka Touré (BUMDA)
Tiempo Libre
Turtle Island String Quartet
Keith Urban
Bebo Valdés
Marcello Valenzano
Louie Vega
Rhonda Vincent & the Rage
Brian Wilson
BeBe Winans
George Winston
Paul Winter Consort
Hugh Wolff
David Yazbek
Ying Yang Twins

Alison Krauss & Union Station	Rhonda Vincent

Alison Krauss & Union Station received 14 nominations including Entertainer of the Year, Instrumental Group, Vocal Group, Song of the Year, Album, Gospel Recorded Performance, Female Vocalist for Alison, Male Vocalist for Dan Tyminski and individual instrumental award nods for band members Jerry Douglas (Dobro) and Ron Block (banjo). Krauss and Tyminski are also featured on the Larry Sparks album 40, nominated for Album of the Year and Recorded Event of the Year. She also received a nod for being a part of the Recorded Event-nominated album Moody Bluegrass.

Blue Highway	Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver

Five-time Female Vocalist of the Year Rhonda Vincent and her band the Rage came in with eight nominations including Entertainer, Vocal Group, Female Vocalist, and an individual nod for the Rage's Hunter Berry on fiddle. Vincent is also a featured artist on the IBMA-nominated album 40 by Larry Sparks.

Larry Sparks	Del McCoury Band

Picking up seven nominations, Doyle Lawson and his band Quicksilver were recognized for Entertainer, Vocal Group, Album and Gospel Recorded Performance, along with an individual instrumental nomination for Lawson on mandolin. They'll compete with themselves among others with two nominations in the Song of the Year category for "Heartbreak Number Nine," written by band members Barry Scott and Jamie Daley, and "You Gotta Dig A Little Deeper," written by Carl H. Caldwell and Barry Scott.

Paul Williams	Williams & Clark Expedition

Blue Highway also earned seven nominations including Vocal Group, Instrumental Group, and an Album of the Year and Recorded Event nod for their participation on Larry Sparks' 40. Band members Rob Ickes (Dobro) and Tim Stafford (Guitar) are nominated in their respective Instrumental Award categories; Stafford's album Endless Line is also a finalist for Instrumental Album.

Cherryholmes	Mountain Heart

Eight-time Entertainers of the Year the Del McCoury Band received six nominations including Entertainer, Instrumental Group and individual nods for band members Rob McCoury on banjo and Ronnie McCoury on mandolin. Del McCoury was also a Song of the Year nominee as writer for the Alison Krauss & Union Station song "Rain Please Go Away."

Reigning Male Vocalist Larry Sparks nabbed five nominations -- Album of the Year, Recorded Event, Male Vocalist, Guitar Player and a Song of the Year nod for the Alan Laney-penned "Georgia Peaches" with Andy Griggs.

Bluegrass power group Mountain Heart picked up five nominations for Vocal Group, Instrumental Group and Gospel Recorded Performance for their song "I Want To Live Beyond The Grave," in addition to an individual recognition for Jason Moore on bass.

Longtime gospel stalwart Paul Williams also gathered five nominations, including Gospel Recorded Performance for his album I'll Be No Stranger There. Williams also contributed to the Album and Recorded Event-nominated albums 40 by Larry Sparks and the Tribute to Jimmy Martin: "The King of Bluegrass" project.

The recipients of the 2005 International Bluegrass Music Awards will be broadcast via radio around the world to more than 300 U.S. markets and 14 foreign networks. The awards are voted on by the professional membership of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), which serves as the trade association for the bluegrass music industry. The award show is the centerpiece of IBMA's week-long Business Conference and Bluegrass Fan Fest, slated for October 24-30 in Nashville.

Congratulations to BMI's 2005 IBMA nominees:

Entertainer of the Year
Cherryholmes
Alison Krauss & Union Station
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
The Del McCoury Band
Rhonda Vincent & the Rage

Instrumental Group of the Year
Blue Highway
Alison Krauss & Union Station
The Del McCoury Band
Mountain Heart

Vocal Group of the Year
Blue Highway
Alison Krauss & Union Station
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Mountain Heart
Rhonda Vincent & The Rage

Male Vocalist of the Year
Russell Moore
Larry Sparks
Dan Tyminski

Female Vocalist of the Year
Dale Ann Bradley
Cia Cherryholmes
Sonya Isaacs
Alison Krauss
Rhonda Vincent

Song of the Year
"Georgia Peaches"
Larry Sparks with Andy Griggs
written by Carl Jackson & Alan Laney

"Heartbreak Number Nine"
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
written by Barry Scott & Jamie Dailey

"Me and John and Paul"
written by Harley Allen

"Rain Please Go Away"
Alison Krauss & Union Station
written by Del McCoury

"You Gotta Dig A Little Deeper"
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
written by Carl H. Caldwell & Barry Scott

Album of the Year
40
Larry Sparks
produced by Don Rigsby

Lonely Runs Both Ways
Alison Krauss & Union Station
produced by Alison Krauss & Union Station

Tribute to Jimmy Martin: "The King of Bluegrass"
J.D. Crowe & Paul Williams
produced by Ben Isaacs

You Gotta Dig A Little Deeper
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
produced by Doyle Lawson

Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year
"A Living Prayer"
Alison Krauss & Union Station
produced by Alison Krauss & Union Station

"I'll Be No Stranger There"
Paul Williams & The Victory Trio
produced by Paul Williams

"I Want To Live Beyond the Grave"
Mountain Heart

"Praise His Name"
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
produced by Doyle Lawson

Instrumental Album of the Year
Bending The Rules
Jesse McReynolds with Travis Wetzel
produced by Jesse McReynolds & Billy Troy

Endless Line
Tim Stafford
produced by Tim Stafford & Bobby Starnes

Half Moon Bay
produced by Bobby Starnes

Slide Effects
produced by Scott Vestal

Recorded Event of the Year
40
Larry Sparks with Ronnie Bowman, Larry Cordle, Kevin Denney, Vince Gill, Andy Griggs, Tom T. Hall, Jim Hurst, the Isaacs, Chris Jones, Alison Krauss, Russell Moore, Don Rigsby, Tim Stafford, Ralph Stanley, Dan Tyminski, Rhonda Vincent & Paul Williams
produced by Don Rigsby

Daughters of American Bluegrass
Kim Fox, Dale Ann Bradley, Cindy Cashdollar, Missy Raines, Gena Britt and Michelle Birkby-Vance
produced by Lorraine Jordan

Moody Bluegrass: A Nashville Tribute to the Moody Blues
Harley Allen, Alison Brown, Sam Bush, Fred Carpenter, Lionel Cartwright, Larry Cordle, Stuart Duncan, Andrew Hall, Aubrey Haynie, David Harvey, Alison Krauss, Keith Little, Jon Randall, Tom Shinness
produced by David Harvey

Tribute to Jimmy Martin: "The King of Bluegrass"
J.D. Crowe, Paul Williams, Audie Blaylock & Kenny Ingram
produced by Ben Isaacs

You Were There For Me
Peter Rowan & Tony Rice
produced by Peter Rowan & Tony Rice

Emerging Artists of the Year
Cherryholmes
Williams & Clark Expedition

Instrumental Performers of the Year
Banjo
Ron Block
J.D. Crowe
Rob McCoury

Dobro
Mike Auldridge
Jerry Douglas
Rob Ickes
Randy Kohrs

Bass
Missy Raines
Marshall Wilborn

Fiddle
Hunter Berry
Jason Carter
Michael Cleveland
Stuart Duncan
Ron Stewart

Guitar
Jim Hurst
Tony Rice
Larry Sparks
Tim Stafford

Mandolin
Sam Bush
Doyle Lawson
Ronnie McCoury

Bluegrass Broadcaster of the Year
Terry Herd

Best Liner Notes for a Recorded Project
Eddie Stubbs
Don Reno & Red Smiley
Sweethearts in Heaven]]> 2005-09-06T18:00:00-05:00