Country Music Hall of Famer and inaugural BMI Icon Bill Anderson and retro honky tonk crooner turned hit songwriter Jamey Johnson shared Song of the Year honors for "Give It Away." A wry story song with a soft underbelly, "Give It Away" was recorded by fellow Country Music Hall of Fame member George Strait.

A visibly elated Sugarland snagged their first Vocal Duo of the Year award, while Rascal Flatts took home Vocal Group of the Year bragging rights for the fifth consecutive year. 17 year-old Taylor Swift nabbed the Horizon Award - a fitting trophy marking the teenager's grin-inducing breakout year.

Musician of the Year went to dobro master Jerry Douglas, while Tim McGraw shared in the spoils of the Vocal Event of the Year award for his contribution to No. 1 hit "Find Out Who Your Friends Are." Elite producer Tony Brown also celebrated a big win, taking home the Album of the Year award for his production of It Just Comes Natural.

In 1958, CMA was the first trade organization formed to promote a type of music.  Its membership includes nearly 6,000 companies and music industry professionals around the globe.

2007 BMI CMA Winners

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Carrie Underwood

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Rascal Flatts

VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
Sugarland

HORIZON AWARD
Taylor Swift

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
It Just Comes Natural
Produced by Tony Brown
MCA Nashville

SINGLE OF THE YEAR
"Before He Cheats"
Carrie Underwood
19 Recordings Limited/Arista Records

SONG OF THE YEAR
"Give It Away"
Bill Anderson / Jamey Johnson
Sony/ATV Tree / EMI Blackwood / Run Slow Music

MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
Featuring Tim McGraw
"Find Out Who Your Friends Are"
Rocky Comfort Records/CO5

MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
Jerry Douglas - Dobro

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

Past musical recipients of the National Heritage Fellowships include B.B. King, John Lee Hooker, Doc Watson and Bill Monroe. This noteworthy list of more than 60 individuals and groups includes representatives of the blues, gospel, bluegrass, Tejano and Cajun fields. Its diversity illustrates BMI's dedication to the roots of American music and the nation's cultural heritage.

BMI's 2006 NEA National Heritage Fellowship recipients:

Henry Gray is a widely respected blues pianist from Baton Rouge, La. He played keyboards in the legendary Howlin' Wolf band for 12 years (1956-68) before retuning to his native Louisiana and becoming one of the best known players in the Gulf region. His numerous albums illustrate his notable "swamp-blues" style. photo: Brian Smith

Doyle Lawson of Bristol, Tenn., is one of the most respected bluegrass and gospel performers in the field. He began playing professionally at the age of 11, and joined ensembles led by Jimmy Martin and J.D. Crowe, as well as the Country Gentlemen. In 1979, he founded the band Quicksilver, which has won the coveted Vocal Group of the Year award from the International Bluegrass Music Association for the last five years.

Mavis Staples has been a powerhouse vocalist in the gospel and r&b fields for nearly 50 years. She formed the Staples Singers along with her siblings and late father Roebuck "Pop" Staples (a 1998 Fellowship recipient). Chart-topping songs such as "Respect Yourself" and "I'll Take You There" on Memphis's Stax Records possess countless fans. In recent years as a solo artist, she has collaborated with Prince, Bob Dylan and Marty Stuart.

Complete list of BMI National Heritage Fellowship recipients:

Francisco Aguabella [1992]
Afro-Cuban drummer
Manhattan Beach, Calif.

Alfonse "Bois Sec" Ardoin [1986]
African-American Creole Accordionist
Eunice, La.

Pedro Ayala [1988]
Mexican-American accordionist
Donna, Texas

Kenny Baker [1993]
Bluegrass fiddler
Cottonwood, Tenn.

Dewey Balfa [1982]
Cajun fiddler
Basile, La.

Eddie Blazonczyk [1998]
Polish-American Musician/Bandleader
Bridgeview, Ill.

Charles Brown [1997]
Blues pianist & composer
Berkeley, Ca.

Chuck Brown [2005]
African-American musical innovator
Brandywine, Md.

Michael Burke [2001]
Irish Fiddler
Portland, Ore.

Liz Carroll [1994]
Irish-American fiddler
Chicago, Ill.

Rapael Cepeda [1983]
Bomba musician/dancer
Santurce, Puerto Rico

Wilson "Boozoo" Chavis [2001]
Credo Zydeco accordionist
Lake Charles, La.

Clifton Chenier [1984]
Creole accordionist
Lafayette, La.

Joseph Cormier [1984]
Cape Bretton accordionist
Waltham, Mass.

Elizabeth Cotton [1984]
African-American songster/songwriter
Syracuse, N.Y.

Luderin Darbon/Edwin Duhon [2002]
Cajun fiddler and accordionist
Sulphur, La./Westlake, La.

Dixie Hummingbirds [2000]
African-American gospel quartet
Philadelphia, Pa.

Michael Doucet [2005]
Cajun fiddler, composer and band leader
Lafayette, La.

Jerry Douglas [2004]
Dobro player
Nashville, Tenn.

David "Honeyboy" Edwards [2002]
Blues guitarist/singer
Chicago, Ill.

Fairfield Four [1989]
African-American acapella gospel singers
Nashville, Tenn.

Canray Fontenot [1986]
African-American creole fiddler
Welsh, La.

Clarence Fountain & the Blind Boys [1994]
African-American gospel singers
Atlanta, Ga.

Johnny Gimble [1994]
Angle western swing fiddler
Dripping Springs, Texas

Henry Gray [2006]
Blues piano player, singer
Baton Rouge, La.

Eduardo "Lalo" Guerrero [1991]
Mexican-American singer/guitarist/composer
Cathedral City, Calif.

Juan Gutierrez [1996]
Puerto Rican drummer
New York, N.Y.

John Lee Hooker [1983]
Blues guitarist/singer
San Carlos, Calif.

John Jackson [1986]
African-American songster/guitarist
Fairfax, Va.

Wanda Jackson [2005]
Early country, rockabilly and gospel singer
Oklahoma City, Okla.

Santiago Jimenez, Jr. [2000]
Tejano accordionist/singer
San Antonio, Texas

Bessie Jones [1982]
Georgia Sea Island singer
Brunswick, Ga.

Raymond Kane [1987]
Hawaiian slack key guitarist/singer
Wai'anae, Hawaii

Ali Akbar Khan [1997]
North Indian sarod player & raga composer
San Anselmo, Calif.

Riley "B.B." King [1991]
African-American bluesman
Itta Bena, Miss./Las Vegas, Nev.

Doyle Lawson [2006]
Gospel and bluegrass singer, arranger, bandleader
Bristol, Tenn.

Robert Jr. Lockwood [1995]
African-American delta blues guitarist
Cleveland, Ohio

Valerio Longoria [1986]
Mexican-American accordionist
San Antonio, Texas

Israel "Cachao" Lopez [1995]
Afro-Cuban bassist/composer/band leader
Miami, Fla.

Albert "Sunnyland Slim" Luandrew [1988]
African-American blues pianist/singer
Chicago, Ill.

Wade Mainer [1987]
Appalachian banjo picker/singer
Flint, Mich.

Brownie McGhee [1982]
Blues guitarist
Oakland, Calif.

Jim & Jesse McReynolds [1997]
Bluegrass musicians
Gallatin, Tenn.

D.L. Menard [1994]
Cajun musician/songwriter
Erath, La.

Lydia Mendoza [1983]
Mexican-American singer
Houston, Texas

Bill Monroe [1983]
Nashville, Tenn.

Jack Owens [1993]
Blues singer/guitarist
Betonia, Miss.

Joe Willie "Pinetop" Perkins [2000]
Blues piano player
La Porte, Ind.

Ola Belle Reed [1986]
Appalachian banjo picker/singer
Rising Sun, Md.

Domingo "Mingo" Saldivar [2002]
Conjunto accordionist
San Antonio, Texas

Earl Scruggs [1989]
Bluegrass banjo player
Madison, Tenn.

Simon Sheheen [1994]
Arab-American oud player
Brooklyn, N.Y.

Ralph Stanley [1983]
Appalachian banjo player/singer
Coeburn, Va.

Mavis Staples [2006]
Gospel, rhythm & blues singer
Chicago, Ill.

Roebuck "Pops" Staples [1998]
African-American gospel/blues musician
Dolton, Ill.

Koko Taylor [2004]
Blues musician
Chicago, Ill.

Sanders "Sonny" Terry [1983]
Blues musician
Holliswood, N.Y.

Henry Townsend [1985]
Blues musician/singer
St. Louis, Mo.

Othar Turner [1992]
African-American fife player
Senatobia, Miss.

Albertina Walker [2005]
Gospel singer
Chicago, Ill.

Don Walser [2000]
Western singer/guitarist
Austin, Texas

Arthel "Doc" Watson [1988]
Appalachian guitar player/singer
Deep Gap, N.C.

Claude "The Fiddler" Williams [1998]
African-American jazz/swing fiddler
Kansas City, Mo.

Dewey Williams [1983]
Shape note singer
Ozark, Ala.

Nimrod Workman [1986]
Appalachian ballad singer
Mascot, Tenn./Chattaroy, W.V.]]> 2006-09-11T05:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/334967 Alison Krauss and Union Station, Big & Rich, Brooks & Dunn, Crow, Sheryl, DiPiero, Bob, Douglas, Jerry, Dunn, Ronnie, Evans, Sara, Gentry, Montgomery, Gill, Vince, Haggard, Merle, Hill, Faith, Krauss, Alison, Lambert, Miranda, Little Big Town, Lonestar, McBride, Martina, McGraw, Tim, Parton, Dolly, Rascal Flatts, Shapiro, Tom, Sugarland, Teren, George, Underwood, Carrie, Urban, Keith, Wreckers, The, Wright, Mark, Country

Brooks & Dunn	Keith Urban	Carrie Underwood

Brooks & Dunn garnered a whopping six nominations for their work last year, plus a Song of the Year nod for member Ronnie Dunn's co-writing skills on the pair's moving hit, "Believe." The duo will also vie for awards in the Entertainer, Album, Single, Vocal Duo, Musical Event, and Video of the Year categories.

Rascal Flatts	Big Kenny	Faith Hill

Superstar Keith Urban received due acknowledgement of another outstanding year, securing four nominations, including yet another Male Vocalist of the Year nomination; Urban won the award consecutively in 2004 & 2005. His name also appears in Entertainer, Single and Song of the Year divisions.

Little Big Town	Miranda Lambert

Carrie Underwood continues on the road to superstardom, earning four nominations, including Female Vocalist of the Year and the Horizon Award, the title bestowed upon the most promising up-and-comer of the year. Rascal Flatts secured nominations in the prestigious Entertainer, Vocal Group and Album of the Year categories. The dynamic Big & Rich also received three nominations, including Vocal Duo of the Year.

Faith Hill earned a solo nod for Female Vocalist of the Year and a nomination for her collaboration with husband Tim McGraw in the Musical Event of the Year category for "Like We Never Loved At All," while Little Big Town also garnered two nominations, one for Vocal Group of the Year and the other for the Horizon Award. Joining Little Big Town in the Horizon Award race are Sugarland and Miranda Lambert, who also landed Vocal Group of the Year and Video of the Year nods, respectively.

Other nominations include perennial favorites Alison Krauss and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas for Vocal Group of the Year, the Wreckers for Vocal Duo of the Year, and dobro master Jerry Douglas for Musician of the Year. Martina McBride earned another Female Vocalist of the Year nomination, along with Sara Evans. Lonestar and Montgomery Gentry earned nominations in the Vocal Group and Vocal Duo of the Year categories, respectively.

Brooks & Dunn will host the ceremony for the third year. The CMA Awards will be broadcast live (8:00-11:00 p.m./ET) from the Gaylord Entertainment Center on ABC. Tickets for the awards go on sale Sept. 15 at Ticketmaster outlets.

2006 BMI CMA AWARD NOMINEES
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Brooks & Dunn
Rascal Flatts
Keith Urban


SINGLE OF THE YEAR
(Award goes to artist and producer)

"Believe"
Brooks & Dunn
Produced by Tony Brown/Kix Brooks/Ronnie Dunn
Arista Nashville

"Better Life"
Keith Urban
Produced by Keith Urban
Capitol Records Nashville

"Jesus Take The Wheel"
Carrie Underwood
Arista Nashville


ALBUM OF THE YEAR
(Award goes to artist and producer)

Hillbilly Deluxe
Brooks & Dunn
Produced by Ronnie Dunn/Kix Brooks/Mark Wright/Tom Shapiro/Tony Brown/Bob DiPiero
Arista Nashville

Me And My Gang
Rascal Flatts
Produced Rascal Flatts
Lyric Street Records


SONG OF THE YEAR
(Award goes to songwriter and primary publisher)

"8th of November"
Big Kenny
Big Love Music

"Believe"
Ronnie Dunn
Sony/ATV Tree/Showbilly Music

"Tonight I Wanna Cry"
Keith Urban
Guitar Monkey Music/Coburn Music

"When I Get Where I'm Going"
George Teren
House of Full Circle Music


FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Sara Evans
Faith Hill
Martina McBride
Carrie Underwood


MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Keith Urban


VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR

Alison Krauss + Union Station Featuring Jerry Douglas
Little Big Town
Lonestar
Rascal Flatts
Sugarland


VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR

Big & Rich
Brooks & Dunn
Montgomery Gentry
The Wreckers


MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR

Brooks & Dunn (Guest vocals by Sheryl Crow and Vince Gill)
“Building Bridges”
Arista Nashville

Faith Hill Featuring Tim McGraw
“Like We Never Loved At All”
Warner Bros. Records

Gretchen Wilson (Featuring Merle Haggard)
“Politically Uncorrect”
Epic Records

Brad Paisley (Featuring Dolly Parton)
“When I Get Where I’m Going”
Arista Nashville


MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR

Jerry Douglas – Dobro
Brent Mason – Guitar/Electric Guitar
Randy Scruggs – Guitar


MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
(Award goes to artist and director)

"8th of November"
Big & Rich

"Believe"
Brooks & Dunn

"Jesus Take The Wheel"
Carrie Underwood

"Kerosene"
Miranda Lambert
Directed by Trey Fanjoy

"When I Get Where I'm Going"
Brad Paisley (Featuring Dolly Parton)


HORIZON AWARD

Miranda Lambert
Little Big Town
Sugarland
Carrie Underwood]]> 2006-08-31T05:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/334953 Artists, Blue Highway, Bowman, Ronnie, Bradley, Dale Ann, Bush, Sam, Cherryholmes, Cordle, Larry, Del McCoury Band, The, Douglas, Jerry, Isaacs, Sonya, Kohrs, Randy, Krauss, Alison, Lawson, Doyle, Linde, Dennis, Lynch, Claire, Moore, Russell, Mountain Heart, Pomeroy, Dave, Scruggs, Earl, Sparks, Larry, Tyminski, Dan, Vincent, Rhonda, Musical Styles, Bluegrass, Regions, Nashville 2006 International Bluegrass Music Awards. The elite list was announced Aug. 15 at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum in Nashville by BMI bluegrass icons Doyle Lawson and Rhonda Vincent. BMI members swept several categories, including Female Vocalist of the Year, Instrumental Album of the Year, and Fiddle Player of the Year.

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 are (l to r): AMA Board President Tamara Saviano, BMI VP Jody Williams, Allison Moorer, Steve Earle, Buddy Miller, AMA Executive Director Jeff Green and BMI's Mark Mason. Photo by Alan Mayor

BMI singer/songwriter James McMurtry led the pack with three nominations, including Album and Artist of the Year. Rosanne Cash and Marty Stuart followed closely behind with two nods apiece. Other noteworthy picks include the second New/Emerging Artist of the Year nomination for the Greencards (their first came in 2004), and Dixie Chick Martie Maguire's Song of the Year mention for the band's controversial single, "Not Ready to Make Nice."

Tennessean music critic Peter Cooper, BMI's Kay Clary and Elisabeth Dawson, and Grimey's Music co-owner and AMA board member Doyle Davis. Photo by Sonata Stanton

The 5th Annual Americana Honors & Awards show will take place on Friday, September 22 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Hosted by perennial favorite, Jim Lauderdale, the Americana Honors & Awards will once again feature an all-star "house band" led by Buddy Miller. The ceremony is scheduled to be broadcast around the world by both Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio, as well as by BBC Radio 2 and Voice of America.

Vector Management's Lisa Jenkins, AMA Board President/Saviano Media Owner Tamara Saviano, Sugar Hill's Kim Fowler, Vector Management's Kathi Whitley and GAC's Shaun Moseley. Photo by Elisabeth Dawson

BMI is a major sponsor of the Americana Music Association and its convention held in Nashville each fall.

ASCAP's Michelle Goble, BMI's Mark Mason and ASCAP's Mike Sistad Photo by Kay Clary

BMI's 2006 Americana Music Association Award Nominees:

Album of the Year
James McMurtry -- Childish Things
Delbert McClinton -- Cost of Living
Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives -- Souls' Chapel

Artist of the Year
Rosanne Cash
James McMurtry
Marty Stuart

Duo/Group of the Year
Caitlin Cary
The Drive-By Truckers
Fats Kaplin
Chip Taylor & Carrie Rodriguez

Instrumentalist of the Year
Jerry Douglas
Kenny Vaughan

New/Emerging Artist of the Year
The Greencards
James Hunter
Robinella

Song of the Year (songwriter award)
"Black Cadillac" written by Rosanne Cash
"Not Ready to Make Nice" written by Martie Maguire
"We Can't Make It Here" written by James McMurtry

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

Keith Urban	Byron Gallimore	Brooks & Dunn

Aussie star Keith Urban and producer Byron Gallimore were both double winners, adding to BMI's impressive 61% take of the evening's awards.

In addition to his second consecutive Male Vocalist of the Year win, Urban was crowned Entertainer of the Year for the first time, making him the only artist in CMA Awards history to win the Horizon, Entertainer and Male Vocalist of the Year awards (he won the Horizon Award in 2001).

Rascal Flatts	Jerry Douglas

Gallimore earned an Album of the Year nod as producer on Lee Ann Womack's There's More Where That Came From and Single of the Year for her hit "I May Hate Myself in the Morning."

Show hosts Brooks & Dunn picked up their 13th Vocal Duo of the Year award, while Rascal Flatts was named Vocal Group of the Year for the third year in a row.

Toby Keith	Glenn Campbell

Other BMI winners included country superstar Toby Keith, whose "As Good As I Once Was" earned Video of the Year, dobro master and Union Station band member Jerry Douglas, who took home the award for Musician of the Year, and songwriters Bill Anderson and Jon Randall, who won Song of the Year for the Alison Krauss smash "Whiskey Lullaby."

Alabama

Twelve-time CMA Awards host Vince Gill formally inducted BMI songwriter/artists Alabama and Glen Campbell as the newest members of the Country Music Hall of Fame.

BMI's 2005 CMA Award Winners:

Alabama
Country Music Hall of Fame Inductee

Bill Anderson
Song of the Year
"Whiskey Lullaby"

Brooks & Dunn
Vocal Duo of the Year

Glen Campbell
Country Music Hall of Fame Inductee

Jerry Douglas
Musician of the Year
Dobro

Byron Gallimore
Single of the Year
""I May Hate Myself in the Morning"
Album of the Year
There's More Where That Came From

Toby Keith
Music Video of the Year
"As Good As I Once Was"

Jon Randall
Song of the Year
"Whiskey Lullaby"

Rascal Flatts
Vocal Group of the Year

Keith Urban
Entertainer of the Year
Male Vocalist of the Year

Keith Urban	Toby Keith	Byron Gallimore

With four nominations a piece, both Urban and Keith are up for Entertainer of the Year, marking the fourth year in a row Keith has been nominated in that category. They will also compete for Video of the Year. Urban hopes to repeat his Male Vocalist of the Year win from last year and score an Album of the Year award with Be Here.

Sugarland	Rascal Flatts

Toby Keith's other nods include Single and Song of the Year for his hit "As Good As I Once Was." The song, from his latest album Honkytonk University also earned a nomination for co-writer Scotty Emerick and producer James Stroud.

Big & Rich	Alison Krauss

Both Urban and Keith are eligible for additional trophies as co-producers on their respective nominations.

Producer Byron Gallimore, newcomers Sugarland and reigning Vocal Group of the Year Rascal Flatts followed with three nominations each, while country duo Big & Rich, bluegrass singer Alison Krauss and dobro master Jerry Douglas made it onto the double nominees list. Krauss and her band Union Station (of which Douglas is a member), nominated for Vocal Group of the Year, have also just picked up an impressive 14 IBMA Awards nominations.

Jerry Douglas	Brooks & Dunn	Julie Roberts

Twelve-time CMA Vocal Duo of the Year Brooks & Dunn, who return to host "country music's biggest night," will try once again to retain their crown. BMI Icon Bill Anderson picked up another songwriter nod for the Alison Krauss hit "Whiskey Lullaby" (named 2004's Musical Event), and country legend Willie Nelson took home his 44th CMA nomination for the Lee Ann Womack duet, "I'll Never Be Free."

Tim McGraw	Diamond Rio

Other BMI CMA nominees include Julie Roberts, Marcus Hummon, Jeff Hanna, Tim McGraw, Randy Scruggs, Jimmy Buffett and Diamond Rio.

Alabama	Glen Campbell

A highlight of the live show will be the induction of BMI country greats Alabama and Glen Campbell into the Country Music Hall of Fame. The prestigious award is the highest honor in country music and recognizes those who have made outstanding contributions to the genre throughout their careers. Campbell will be inducted in the "Career Achieved National Prominence Between World War II and 1975" category and Alabama will be the first artist inducted in the new "Career Achieved National Prominence Between 1975 and the Present" category created earlier this year. Their inductions will increase the Hall of Fame membership to 95.

Miranda Lambert	Sara Evans	Martina McBride

BMI's 2005 CMA Nominees:

4 Nominations
Toby Keith
Keith Urban

3 Nominations
Byron Gallimore
Rascal Flatts
Sugarland

2 Nominations
Big & Rich
Jerry Douglas
Sara Evans
Alison Krauss
Martina McBride

Single Nomination
Bill Anderson
Brooks & Dunn
Bobby Boyd
Tony Brown
Jimmy Buffett
Diamond Rio
Scotty Emerick
Jeff Hanna
Marcus Hummon
Miranda Lambert
Lonestar
Brent Mason
Tim McGraw
Montgomery Gentry
Willie Nelson
Jon Randall
Julie Roberts
Randy Scruggs
Darran Smith
James Stroud
Shania Twain
Union Station
The Warren Brothers

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