I'LL TAKE THAT AS A YES (THE HOT TUB SONG)
Jon McElroy
Vince Melamed
Senor Vicente Music
Songs of Mighty Isis
Vista Larga Music
Phil Vassar
Arista Nashville

LIKE WE NEVER LOVED AT ALL
Vicky McGehee
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Faith Hill
Warner Bros.

LONG, SLOW KISSES
Jeff Bates
Gordon Bradberry
New Works Music Co.
Smith Haven Music
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Jeff Bates
RCA

LOT OF LEAVIN' LEFT TO DO
Brett Beavers
Run The Trotline Music
Sony/ATV Tree
Dierks Bentley
Capitol Records

ME AND CHARLIE TALKING
Miranda Lambert
Heather Little
Nashville Star Music
Sony/ATV Tree
Tiltawhirl Music
Miranda Lambert
Epic Records

MY GIVE A DAMN'S BUSTED
Joe Diffie
Tony Martin
Tom Shapiro
Difftunes
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Mike Curb Music
Music of Stage Three
Sony/ATV Tree
Jo Dee Messina
Curb Records
MY OLD FRIEND
Steve McEwan (PRS)
Careers-BMG Music Publishing
Tim McGraw
Curb Records

MY SISTER
Amy Dalley
Music of Stage Three
Reba McEntire
MCA Nashville

NOBODY BUT ME
Shawn Camp
Phillip White
Big Yellow Dog Music
Murrah Music Corporation
Sony/ATV Tree
Travelin' Arkansawyer Music
Blake Shelton
Warner Bros.

PLAY SOMETHING COUNTRY
Ronnie Dunn
Terry McBride
Showbilly Music
Sony/ATV Tree
Still Working For The Man Music, Inc.
Turn Me On Music
Brooks & Dunn
Arista Nashville

PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE THIS WAY
Tammi Kidd
Irving Music
LeAnn Rimes
Asylum-Curb

SHE DON'T TELL ME TO
Bob DiPiero
Tom Shapiro
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Love Monkey Music
Piano Wire Music LLC
Sony/ATV Tree
Montgomery Gentry
Columbia Records

SHE LET HERSELF GO
Dean Dillon
Sony/ATV Acuff Rose
Unwound Music
George Strait
MCA Nashville

SKIN (SARABETH)
Doug Johnson
Mike Curb Music
Sweet Radical Music
Rascal Flatts
Lyric Street

SOMEBODY'S HERO
Ed Hill
Shaye Smith
Careers-BMG Music Publishing
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Sagrabeaux Songs
Shaye Smith Music
Jamie O'Neal
Capitol Records

SOMETHING MORE
Kristian Bush
Dirkpit Music
Sugarland
Mercury Nashville

SOMETHING TO BE PROUD OF
Jeffrey Steele
Gottahaveable Music
Songs of Windswept Pacific
Montgomery Gentry
Columbia Records

SONGS ABOUT ME
Ed Hill
Shaye Smith
Careers-BMG Music Publishing
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Sagrabeaux Songs
Shaye Smith Music
Trace Adkins
Capitol Records

STAY WITH ME (BRASS BED)
Jedd Hughes
Terry McBride
Still Working For The Man Music, Inc.
Terry McBride Music
Wilmington Road Publishing
Josh Gracin
Lyric Street

THE TALKIN' SONG REPAIR BLUES
Dennis Linde
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Rising Gorge Music
Alan Jackson
Arista Nashville

TEQUILA MAKES HER CLOTHES FALL OFF
Gary Hannan
John Wiggins
Chobe Music
Fiddle Stock Music
Heavy Leather Music, Inc.
Notewrite Music
Joe Nichols
Universal South

TONIGHT I WANNA CRY
Keith Urban
Coburn Music, Inc.
Guitar Monkey Music
Keith Urban
Capitol Records

WHEN I GET WHERE I'M GOING
George Teren
House of Full Circle Music
Brad Paisley featuring Dolly Parton
Arista Nashville

WHO YOU'D BE TODAY
Bill Luther
Aimee Mayo
Careers-BMG Music Publishing
Evansville Music
Little Blue Typewriter Music
Kenny Chesney
BNA

YOU'LL BE THERE
Cory Mayo
Coburn Music, Inc.
George Strait
MCA Nashville
YOUR MAN
Jace Everett
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Josh Turner
MCA Nashville

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

NSAI President Chuck Cannon, John Russell, Jr. (on behalf of Johnny Russell), BMI's Del Bryant, Phil Everly, Dennis Linde, BMI's Frances Preston and NSF's Wayland Holyfield. photo by Kay Williams

Johnny Russell was selected from the pre-1971 category. Russell's songs were recorded by some of country music's top acts, including Buck Owens, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, and even the Beatles. A native of Moorehead, Mississippi, Russell moved to Fresno, California with his family when he was eleven. Russell recorded his first song in 1958, "In a Mansion Stands My Love," and moved to Nashville later that year to pursue a career as a performer. Jim Reeves helped establish Russell's reputation as a songwriter when he recorded a cover of "In a Mansion Stands My Love." In 1963 Buck Owens scored a number one hit with Russell's tune "Act Naturally," and the Beatles recorded the song in 1965. Russell's son John accepted the induction on behalf of his father, who was told of his election shortly before his death in July of this year.

Dennis Linde was inducted in the 1971-1981 category. Both NSAI and BMI have given Linde their Songwriter of the Year awards in past years. Linde also penned Elvis' "Burning Love" which earned a BMI Pop Award in 1972. More recently, Linde has written hits such as "Bubba Shot the Jukebox," "Callin' Baton Rouge," "John Deere Green" and "Goodbye Earl."

Don and Phil Everly were inducted in the pre-1981 category. Known for their close two-part harmonies, their originality explored the best of pop, country, and rock 'n' roll music. After releasing their first Cadence Records single, "Bye Bye Love," the brothers released a string of hits including Phil's "When Will I Be Loved," and Felice and Boudleaux Bryant's "Wake Up Little Susie" and "All I Have to Do Is Dream." In 1960, the Everly Brothers left Cadence for the Warner Bros. label, where they did a lot to help advance the fledgling company to the major player it is today. The Everly Brothers proved to be an integral and innovative force in country, pop and especially rock 'n' roll music for over four decades. Phil Everly was present to accept the honor.

BMI nominees in the "Songwriters Pre-1971" division are Jim Anglin ("Ashes of Love," "Down South In New Orleans," "Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide"); Johnny Russell ("Act Naturally," "Let’s Fall To Pieces Together," "Making Plans") and Nat Stuckey ("Pop A Top," "Sweet Thang," "Waitin’ In Your Welfare Line")

BMI contenders in the "Songwriters 1971-1981" category are Larry Henley ("Wind Beneath My Wings," “’Til I Get It Right," "Lizzie and the Rain Man"), Dennis Linde ("Callin’ Baton Rouge," "Burnin’ Love," "John Deere Green"), Layng Martine Jr. ("The Greatest Man I Never Knew," "Rub It In," "Way Down") and Dennis Morgan ("I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool," "I Wouldn’t Have Missed It For the World," "Smoky Mountain Rain")

Competing for the "Songwriter/Artist Pre-1981" award are BMI affiliates Phil and Don Everly ("When Will I Be Loved," "Cathy’s Clown," "So Sad"), Freddie Hart ("Easy Lovin’," "My Hang Up Is You," "Loose Talk"), Jerry Reed ("Amos Moses," "East Bound and Down," "When You’re Hot, You’re Hot"), Billy Joe Shaver ("I’m Just an Old Chunk of Coal," "Old Five and Dimers Like Me," "You Asked Me To") and Hank Williams Jr. ("All My Rowdy Friends Have Settled Down," "Family Tradition," "A Country Boy Can Survive").