February 12, 2005

Rhonda Vincent Leads BMI Stars’ Sweep of SPBGMA Awards

BMI talents triumphed in all 15 performer categories and in four instrumentalist categories at the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America's 31st annual awards show, held February 6 at the Sheraton Music City hotel in Nashville.

Rhonda Vincent	Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver

Rhonda Vincent was the night's biggest winner with three; she claimed the Entertainer of the Year trophy as well as prizes for Contemporary Female Vocalist and Best Instrumental Group (with her band, the Rage). Double winners were Larry Stephenson, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, and songwriters Tom T. & Dixie Hall.

Jimmy Gaudreau	Tom T. & Dixie Hall

The Lewis Family received the Grand Masters Gold Award for having won the traditional gospel group of the year honor for a total of 10 years.

Charlie Waller	The Lewis Family

Mandolinist Jimmy Gaudreau, who played key roles in such trailblazing groups as the Country Gentlemen, J. D. Crowe & the New South, Spectrum and Chesapeake, was inducted to the SPBGMA Preservation Hall.

Hunter Berry	Blue Highway

Congratulations to BMI's SPBGMA winners:

Entertainer
Rhonda Vincent

Song
"Clinch Mountain Mystery"
The Larry Stephenson Band, artist
Tom T. & Dixie Hall, songwriters

Songwriter
Tom T. Hall & Dixie Hall

Josh Williams	Cherryholmes

Ronnie McCoury	Lynn Morris Band

IIIrd Tyme Out