The International Bluegrass Music Association announced today its 2018 awards nominees and hall of fame inductees.
Women lead the nomination count, with Becky Buller and Molly Tuttle earning six each. In recent years, both were the first women to win the instrument awards in their categories — Buller on fiddle in 2016 and Tuttle on guitar last year. For the first time, two women — Gina Clowes and previous winner Kristin Scott Benson — are nominated in the banjo category.
Inducted into the International Bluegrass Hall of Fame this year will be Tom T. and Dixie Hall, Ricky Skaggs, and Paul Williams.
The awards will be announced in a ceremony hosted by Hot Rize in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Sept. 27, during the IBMA’s World of Bluegrass event. Here is a partial list of nominees.
Album of the Year
Rise – Molly Tuttle (artist), Kai Welch (producer), Compass Records (label)
The Story We Tell – Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers (artist), Joe Mullins (producer), Rebel Records (label)
Rivers & Roads – Special Consensus (artist), Alison Brown (producer), Compass Records (label)
Mayhayley’s House – Lonesome River Band (artist), Lonesome River Band (producers), Mountain Home Music Company (label)
Life Is a Story – Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (artist), Doyle Lawson (producer), Mountain Home Music Company (label)
Song of the Year
“You Didn’t Call My Name” – Molly Tuttle (artist), Molly Tuttle (writer)
“Way Down the River Road” – Special Consensus (artist), John Hartford (writer)
“Swept Away” – Missy Raines (artist), Laurie Lewis (writer)
“If I’d Have Wrote That Song” – Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers (artist), Larry Cordle/Larry Shell/James Silvers (writers)
“Calamity Jane” – Becky Buller (artist), Becky Buller/Tim Stafford (writers)
Entertainer of the Year
Balsam Range
Del McCoury Band
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
The Earls of Leicester
Gibson Brothers
Vocal Group of the Year
Balsam Range
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Flatt Lonesome
Gibson Brothers
I’m With Her
Instrumental Group of the Year
Sam Bush Band
Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
Punch Brothers
Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
The Travelin’ McCourys
Emerging Artist
Mile Twelve
Molly Tuttle
Po’ Ramblin’ Boys
Jeff Scroggins & Colorado
Sister Sadie
Billy Strings
Male Vocalist
Shawn Camp
Del McCoury
Buddy Melton
Russell Moore
Tim O’Brien
Female Vocalist
Brooke Aldridge
Dale Ann Bradley
Becky Buller
Molly Tuttle
Rhonda Vincent
Banjo Player
Kristin Scott Benson
Gina Clowes
Ned Luberecki
Noam Pikelny
Sammy Shelor
Bass Player
Barry Bales
Mike Bub
Missy Raines
Mark Schatz
Tim Surrett
Fiddle Player
Hunter Berry
Becky Buller
Jason Carter
Michael Cleveland
Stuart Duncan
Dobro Player
Jerry Douglas
Rob Ickes
Andy Hall
Phil Leadbetter
Justin Moses
Guitar Player
Kenny Smith
Billy Strings
Bryan Sutton
Molly Tuttle
Josh Williams
Mandolin Player
Jesse Brock
Sam Bush
Sierra Hull
Ronnie McCoury
Frank Solivan
