Photo Credit: Ed Rode
The biggest night in bluegrass, IBMA’s Bluegrass Music Awards, has resulted in Billy Strings’ fourth title as Entertainer of the Year. The coveted status resumes the musician’s previous three-peat reign, tied to wins in 2021, 2022, and 2023. The ceremony took place last night at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium in Chattanooga, Tenn., led by co-hosts and musical partners Steve Martin and Alison Brown.
The evening reserved special moments for selected entertainers, who were awarded for their achievements in the field. Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland received double honors for their track, “Outrun the Rain,” Song of the Year and Collaborative Recording of the Year. The song appeared on their joint release, Carter & Cleveland, which also won Album of the Year.
Other awards centered on groups like The Travelin’ McCourys, who took home the Instrumental Group of the Year award. Also honored, Alison Krauss received Female Vocalist of the Year, and Sierra Hull was deemed Mandolin Player of the Year. Greg Blake accepted the Male Vocalist of the Year. While instrumentalists like Kristin Scott Benson obtained Banjo Player of the Year, Vickie Vaugh received Bass Player of the Year, and Maddie Denton picked up Fiddle Player of the Year.
The night also spotlighted pioneer bluegrass greats Hot Rize for their decades-long contributions to the scene, as well as The Bluegrass Cardinals and Arnold Shultz. The three acts were inducted into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame, thereby cementing their legacies for future generations.
Scroll down for a list of awards and winners from IBMA’s 2025 Bluegrass Music Awards.
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Billy Strings
SONG OF THE YEAR
Outrun the Rain – Jason Carter & Michael Cleveland
Songwriters: Terry Herd/Jimmy Yeary
Producers: Jason Carter/Michael Cleveland
Label: Fiddle Man Records
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Carter & Cleveland – Jason Carter & Michael Cleveland
Producers: Jason Carter/Michael Cleveland
Label: Fiddle Man Records
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Authentic Unlimited
INSTRUMENTAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
The Travelin’ McCourys
GOSPEL RECORDING OF THE YEAR
He’s Gone – Jaelee Roberts
Songwriter: Kelsi Harrigill
Producer: Byron House
Label: Mountain Home Music Company
INSTRUMENTAL RECORDING OF THE YEAR
Ralph’s Banjo Special – Kristin Scott Benson, Gena Britt & Alison Brown
Songwriter: Ralph Stanley
Producer: Alison Brown
Label: Compass Records
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Red Camel Collective
COLLABORATIVE RECORDING OF THE YEAR
Outrun the Rain – Jason Carter, Michael Cleveland, Jaelee Roberts & Vince Gill
Songwriters: Terry Herd/Jimmy Yeary
Producers: Jason Carter/Michael Cleveland
Label: Fiddle Man Records
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Greg Blake
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Alison Krauss
BANJO PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Kristin Scott Benson
BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Vickie Vaughn
FIDDLE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Maddie Denton
RESOPHONIC GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Justin Moses
GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Trey Hensley
MANDOLIN PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Sierra Hull
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
The Auctioneer – The Kody Norris Show
Songwriters: Leroy Van Dyke/Buddy Black
Producer: James Gilley
Videographer: Nate Wiles
Label: Rebel Records
The post Billy Strings Takes Home Entertainer of the Year at 36th Annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards appeared first on Relix Media.
-----------------------------------
By: Hana Gustafson
Title: Billy Strings Takes Home Entertainer of the Year at 36th Annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards
Sourced From: relix.com/news/detail/billy-strings-takes-home-entertainer-of-the-year-at-36th-annual-ibma-bluegrass-music-awards/
Published Date: Fri, 19 Sep 2025 15:07:42 +0000
