{"id":238671,"date":"2025-09-19T10:20:11","date_gmt":"2025-09-19T10:20:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/238671\/"},"modified":"2025-09-19T10:20:11","modified_gmt":"2025-09-19T10:20:11","slug":"see-the-winners-of-the-2025-ibma-bluegrass-music-awards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/238671\/","title":{"rendered":"See the Winners of the 2025 IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tonight, September 18, 2025, the International Bluegrass Music Association<\/a> held their 36th Annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium in Chattanooga, Tennessee \u2013 the organization\u2019s first awards show presented in their new host city.<\/p>\n

The IBMA Awards are designed to be peer-to-peer, voted on by the professional membership of the IBMA, performers, artists, industry professionals, broadcasters, and beyond. As a result, the show this year \u2013 which was hosted by the hilarious and talented duo of Steve Martin and Alison Brown \u2013 was an evening celebrating mutual admiration, mentorship, sharing, and the diverse ways all of this music\u2019s creators celebrate tradition, and the innovation at its core. That phenomenon has been a hallmark of the IBMA Awards over all of their 36 years. Through the many categories there were a wide array of winners from across generations, styles, and levels of notoriety.<\/p>\n

Bluegrass\u2019s most prominent artist at the moment, Billy Strings, took home the night\u2019s highest honor, Entertainer of the Year \u2013 his fourth such trophy. Alison Krauss, who recently returned to the road with a brand new album, Arcadia,\u00a0for the first time in 14 years, received her fifth Female Vocalist of the Year award, her first since 1995. Jason Carter & Michael Cleveland received three awards for their superlative debut album together and its songs including Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Collaborative Recording of the Year.<\/p>\n

Women were represented in force across the many categories this year, remarkable given the sheer number of years where women nominees were absent entirely or merely counted in the single digits. Along with Krauss winning Female Vocalist women took home trophies in many more categories: Gospel Recording of the Year (Jaelee Roberts; writer, Kelsi Harrigill); Instrumental Recording of the Year (Kristin Scott Benson, Gena Britt, Alison Brown); Banjo Player of the Year (Kristin Scott Benson); Bass Player of the Year (Vickie Vaughn); Fiddle Player of the Year (Maddie Denton); and Mandolin Player of the Year (Sierra Hull).<\/p>\n

During the IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards, the 2025 class of Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame inductees were honored with speeches, plaque presentations, and incredibly special musical performances. This year\u2019s inductees include Hot Rize, The Bluegrass Cardinals, and Arnold Schultz, the first Black person to ever be elected to the hall, the association\u2019s highest honor, since it was begun in 1991.<\/p>\n

IBMA\u2019s World of Bluegrass business conference and IBMA Bluegrass Live! festival continue in Chattanooga through Saturday, September 20. Get more information on the event and purchase tickets for Bluegrass Live! here.<\/a> Below, check out all of the winners at this year\u2019s 2025 IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards.<\/p>\n

(Winners denoted in bold.)<\/p>\n

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Alison Krauss & Union Station
Appalachian Road Show
Billy Strings<\/strong>
East Nash Grass
The Del McCoury Band<\/p>\n

SONG OF THE YEAR\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201c5 Days Out, 2 Days Back\u201d \u2013 Alison Brown, Steve Martin, Featuring Tim O\u2019Brien
Songwriters: Steve Martin, Alison Brown
Producers: Alison Brown, Garry West
Label: Compass Records<\/p>\n

\u201cBig Wheels\u201d \u2013 Authentic Unlimited
Songwriter: Jerry Cole
Producer: Authentic Unlimited
Label: Billy Blue Records<\/p>\n

\u201cCoal Dust Kisses\u201d \u2013 The Grascals
Songwriters: Susanne Mumpower, Jerry Salley
Producer: The Grascals
Label: Mountain Home Music Company<\/p>\n

\u201cMy Favorite Picture of You\u201d \u2013 Darin & Brooke Aldridge
Songwriters: Darin Aldridge, Brooke Aldridge, Dennis Duff
Producers: Darin Aldridge, Mark Fain
Label: Billy Blue Records<\/p>\n

\u201cOutrun the Rain\u201d \u2013 Jason Carter & Michael Cleveland<\/strong>
Songwriters: Terry Herd, Jimmy Yeary<\/strong>
Producers: Jason Carter, Michael Cleveland<\/strong>
Label: Fiddle Man Records<\/strong><\/p>\n

ALBUM OF THE YEAR\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Arcadia \u2013\u00a0Alison Krauss & Union Station
Producer: Alison Krauss & Union Station
Label: Down the Road Records<\/p>\n

Carter & Cleveland \u2013\u00a0Jason Carter & Michael Cleveland<\/strong>
Producers: Jason Carter, Michael Cleveland<\/strong>
Label: Fiddle Man Records<\/strong><\/p>\n

Earl Jam \u2013\u00a0Tony Trischka
Producers: Tony Trischka, Lawson White
Label: Down the Road Records<\/p>\n

Highway Prayers \u2013\u00a0Billy Strings
Producers: Billy Strings, Jon Brion
Label: Reprise Records<\/p>\n

I Built a World \u2013\u00a0Bronwyn Keith-Hynes
Producers: Brent Truitt, Bronwyn Keith-Hynes
Label: Sugar Petunia Records<\/p>\n

\ufeff<\/p>\n

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Alison Krauss & Union Station
Authentic Unlimited<\/strong>
Blue Highway
Sister Sadie
The Del McCoury Band<\/p>\n

INSTRUMENTAL GROUP OF THE YEAR\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Billy Strings
East Nash Grass
Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway
The Travelin\u2019 McCourys<\/strong><\/p>\n

GOSPEL RECORDING OF THE YEAR\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cBlue Collar Gospel\u201d \u2013 Jerry Salley Featuring The Oak Ridge Boys
Songwriters: Rick Lang, Bill Whyte, Jerry Salley
Producer: Jerry Salley
Label: Billy Blue Records<\/p>\n

\u201cDear Lord\u201d \u2013 Darin & Brooke Aldridge
Songwriter: Daniel Davis
Producers: Darin Aldridge, Mark Fain
Label: Billy Blue Records<\/p>\n

\u201cEven Better When You Listen\u201d \u2013 Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers
Songwriters: Rick Lang, Mark BonDurant
Producer: Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers
Label: Billy Blue Records<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s Gone\u201d \u2013 Jaelee Roberts<\/strong>
Songwriter: Kelsi Harrigill<\/strong>
Producer: Byron House<\/strong>
Label: Mountain Home Music Company<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWings of Love\u201d \u2013 Authentic Unlimited
Songwriters: Jesse Brock, Stephen Burwell, Jerry Cole, Eli Johnston, John Meador
Producer: Authentic Unlimited
Label: Billy Blue Records<\/p>\n

INSTRUMENTAL RECORDING OF THE YEAR\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cBluegrass in the Backwoods\u201d \u2013 Jason Carter & Michael Cleveland
Songwriter: Kenny Baker
Producers: Jason Carter, Michael Cleveland
Label: Fiddle Man Records<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Drifter\u201d \u2013 Danny Roberts
Songwriter: Danny Roberts
Producers: Danny Roberts, Andrea Roberts
Label: Mountain Home Music Company<\/p>\n

\u201cA Drive at Dusk\u201d \u2013 Authentic Unlimited
Songwriter: Jesse Brock
Producer: Authentic Unlimited
Label: Billy Blue Records<\/p>\n

\u201cKern County Breakdown\u201d \u2013 Jason Carter & Michael Cleveland
Songwriter: Buck Owens, Don Rich
Producers: Jason Carter, Michael Cleveland
Label: Fiddle Man Records<\/p>\n

\u201cRalph\u2019s Banjo Special\u201d \u2013 Kristin Scott Benson, Gena Britt, Alison Brown<\/strong>
Songwriter: Ralph Stanley<\/strong>
Producer: Alison Brown<\/strong>
Label: Compass Records<\/strong><\/p>\n

\ufeff<\/p>\n

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

AJ Lee & Blue Summit
Bronwyn Keith-Hynes
Jason Carter
Red Camel Collective<\/strong>
Wyatt Ellis<\/p>\n

COLLABORATIVE RECORDING OF THE YEAR\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201c5 Days Out, 2 Days Back\u201d \u2013 Alison Brown & Steve Martin Featuring Tim O\u2019Brien
Songwriters: Steve Martin, Alison Brown
Producer: Alison Brown, Garry West
Label: Compass Records<\/p>\n

\u201cA Million Memories (A Song for Byron)\u201d \u2013 Darin & Brooke Aldridge Featuring Vince Gill
Songwriter: Vince Gill
Producers: Darin Aldridge, Mark Fain
Label: Billy Blue Records<\/p>\n

\u201cCora Is Gone\u201d \u2013 Bobby Osborne & C.J. Lewandowski Featuring Rob McCoury, Billy Strings
Songwriter: Mac Odell
Producer: C.J. Lewandowski
Label: Turnberry Records<\/p>\n

\u201cOutrun the Rain\u201d \u2013 Jason Carter & Michael Cleveland, Jaelee Roberts, Vince Gill<\/strong>
Songwriters: Terry Herd, Jimmy Yeary<\/strong>
Producers: Jason Carter, Michael Cleveland<\/strong>
Label: Fiddle Man Records<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cRalph\u2019s Banjo Special\u201d \u2013 Kristin Scott Benson, Gena Britt, Alison Brown
Songwriter: Ralph Stanley
Producer: Alison Brown
Label: Compass Records<\/p>\n

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Billy Strings
Dan Tyminski
Del McCoury
Greg Blake<\/strong>
Russell Moore<\/p>\n

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

AJ Lee
Alison Krauss<\/strong>
Brooke Aldridge
Jaelee Roberts
Sierra Hull<\/p>\n

\ufeff<\/p>\n

BANJO PLAYER OF THE YEAR\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Alison Brown
Gena Britt
Kristin Scott Benson<\/strong>
Ron Block
Tony Trischka<\/p>\n

BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Barry Bales
Mike Bub
Missy Raines
Todd Phillips
Vickie Vaughn<\/strong><\/p>\n

FIDDLE PLAYER OF THE YEAR\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bronwyn Keith-Hynes
Jason Carter
Maddie Denton<\/strong>
Michael Cleveland
Stuart Duncan<\/p>\n

RESOPHONIC GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Andy Hall
Jerry Douglas
Justin Moses<\/strong>
Matt Leadbetter
Rob Ickes<\/p>\n

GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Billy Strings
Bryan Sutton
Cody Kilby
Molly Tuttle
Trey Hensley<\/strong><\/p>\n

MANDOLIN PLAYER OF THE YEAR\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Alan Bibey
Jesse Brock
Ronnie McCoury
Sam Bush
Sierra Hull<\/strong><\/p>\n

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201c5 Days Out, 2 Days Back\u201d \u2013 Alison Brown & Steve Martin Featuring Tim O\u2019Brien
Songwriters: Steve Martin, Alison Brown
Producer: Alison Brown, Garry West
Videographer: Joseph Spence
Label: Compass Records<\/p>\n

\u201cA Million Memories (A Song for Byron)\u201d \u2013 Darin & Brooke Aldridge Featuring Vince Gill
Songwriter: Vince Gill
Producer: Jenny Gill
Videographer: Travis Flynn
Label: Billy Blue Records<\/p>\n

\u201cBig Wheels\u201d \u2013 Authentic Unlimited
Songwriter: Jerry Cole
Producers: Bryce Free, Kyle Johnson
Videographer: Bryce Free
Label: Billy Blue Records<\/p>\n

\u201cGallows Pole\u201d \u2013 Appalachian Road Show
Songwriter: Traditional, arr. Barry Abernathy, Jim VanCleve, Darrell Webb
Producer: Steve Kinney
Videographer: Steve Kinney
Label: Billy Blue Records<\/p>\n

\u201cTennessee Hound Dog\u201d \u2013 The Grascals
Songwriter: Felice Bryant, Boudleaux Bryant
Producer: Ty Gilpin
Videographer: Nate Shuppert
Label: Mountain Home Music Company<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Auctioneer\u201d \u2013 The Kody Norris Show<\/strong>
Songwriters: Leroy Van Dyke, Buddy Black<\/strong>
Producer: James Gilley<\/strong>
Videographer: Nate Wiles<\/strong>
Label: Rebel Records<\/strong><\/p>\n

Photo Credit: Billy Strings by Dana Trippe; Jason Carter & Michael Cleveland by Emma McCoury.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Tonight, September 18, 2025, the International Bluegrass Music Association held their 36th Annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards at…\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":238672,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[127827,127832,127822,91114,127821,18786,171,127829,127831,127828,127605,127824,127826,975,127825,127820,67,132,68,127823,127830],"class_list":{"0":"post-238671","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-music","8":"tag-alison-brown","9":"tag-alison-krauss","10":"tag-arnold-schultz","11":"tag-billy-strings","12":"tag-bluegrass-live","13":"tag-chattanooga","14":"tag-entertainment","15":"tag-hot-rize","16":"tag-ibma","17":"tag-ibma-awards","18":"tag-ibma-bluegrass-music-awards","19":"tag-jason-carter","20":"tag-michael-cleveland","21":"tag-music","22":"tag-the-bluegrass-cardinals","23":"tag-the-bluegrass-music-hall-of-fame","24":"tag-united-states","25":"tag-unitedstates","26":"tag-us","27":"tag-women-in-bluegrass","28":"tag-world-of-bluegrass"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/115230462934018525","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/238671","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=238671"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/238671\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/238672"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=238671"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=238671"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=238671"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}