CMT Blog: Archive

The 2008 IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) awards show kicked off with a bang last night. The Steep Canyon Rangers opened the show with their bluegrass chart-topper "Lovin' Pretty Women" and toward the end of the song, the Shoefly Girls came out on stage clogging! It set the tone for a fun show. Del McCoury stepped on stage, and in his own witty way, yelled, "Hey everybody!" He then went on to tell the history of the Ryman Auditorium and how it began as a Baptist tabernacle in May of 1890. Del joked he had a gig at the world famous Station Inn that night.

The names that the crowd heard over and over again last night were Dailey & Vincent. Having 10 nominations going into the award show, I expected them to have a big year. And in Vince Gill's words, as he presented entertainer of the year, "It's a good year to be named Vincent." Indeed it was. Dailey & Vincent took home some of the most coveted awards: Emerging artist, gospel performance, male vocalist (Jamie Dailey), vocal group, album and entertainer of the year.

The recipient list had several new faces to add to the history books of bluegrass, which I feel is a good move for bluegrass as a whole. Kristin Scott Benson took home the award for banjo player of the year, the second female ever. Josh Williams won guitar player of the year for the first time. Longtime member of Alison Krauss' band, Barry Bales, won bass player of the year for the first time. Andy Hall of the Infamous Stringdusters won instrumental album of the year for Sound of the Slide Guitar. Next year, his name needs to be in the Dobro player of the year category.

For a full list of recipients, click here.

Other noteworthy performances of the night I just can't leave out include the Steeldrivers performing "Drinkin' Dark Whiskey," Dailey & Vincent performing Gillian Welch & David Rawlings' tune "By the Mark," and the Dan Tyminski band performing "Wheels." Hopefully more folks can make it down to Nashville next year. The weekend's Fan Fest has only just begun with tons of bluegrass concerts over the next three days.