To a full and energetic crowd at Memorial Auditorium, East Nash Grass kicked off the 36th Annual International Bluegrass Music Association World of Bluegrass Awards show Thursday night.
As the five-piece band from Nashville, nominated for entertainer of the year and instrumental group of the year, exited the stage, the crowd went wild for Steve Martin and Alison Brown, cohosts of the evening.
“Good evening everybody, and welcome to the new home for World of Bluegrass, here for the first time in the beautiful city of Chattanooga,” Brown, a banjoist, producer and songwriter, opened the evening.
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“The historic and glorious city that is named after the sound of an old-timey car horn,” Martin, ever the comedian, quipped. “A-ooga!”
Martin and Brown, known in the genre for their banjo tunes, individually hold a plethora of International Bluegrass Music Association awards between them and were nominated for three awards as a duo Thursday night.
“Steve, it’s from the Cherokee,” Brown corrected.
Martin cracked jokes while Brown kept him in line throughout the evening, but she wasn’t above having a little fun.
“Seriously, Steve, the 2025 World of Bluegrass will generate millions for the local economy,” Brown said, “and that’s just from the hotel minibars.”
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The crowd, chock-full of bluegrass royalty, chowed on popcorn, the smell overtaking the theater. The second strings were plucked, the room went silent.
Stars hit the red carpet for Bluegrass Music Awards
Billy Strings won entertainer of the year, after two sold out shows in the days prior at the Signal.
“Yeah, we’ve been ripping gigs, and it’s been a lot of fun,” Strings said before thanking his crew and family.
Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland took home album of the year, song of the year and collaborative recording of the year for their twin fiddle album “Carter & Cleveland,” and the song “Outrun the Rain” on the same album.
Thursday was also Cleveland’s birthday and featured a bit of audience participation when the crowd all began singing him “Happy Birthday.”
The Del McCoury Band stole the crowd’s attention with a performance of “The Travelin’ Teardrop Blues.” Just a little before, the Travelin’ McCourys, formed by brothers and sons of Del McCoury, Rob and Ronnie McCoury out of their father’s band, won instrumental group of the year.
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The Bluegrass Cardinals, a group that toured and recorded from 1974 to 1997 and reached audiences from the White House to the Grand Ole Opry, received the highest honor in bluegrass music when they were inducted into the Hall of Fame.
“It’s been a long time coming,” David Parmley, founding guitarist for the group and son of Don Parmley, founding banjoist, said.
Also inducted into the Hall of Fame on Thursday night was Hot Rize, made up of Pete Wernick, Tim O’Brien, Charles Sawtelle and Nick Forester. After Sawtelle’s death, guitarist Bryan Sutton, the most decorated guitarist in the music association’s history, joined the group’s ranks in 2002. The band was introduced by Strings, the guitarist who has become the face of bluegrass for people who may not be fans of the genre.
“We benefitted greatly from public radio,” O’Brien said to a resounding round of applause during his speech of thanks.
Arnold Shultz, an African American blues-style guitarist who deeply influenced Bill Monroe, the father of bluegrass, was recognized as a key influence on the birth of bluegrass and was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
The night capped off with a family-style performance featuring voices from all generations of bluegrassers. Strings, Del McCoury, Sierra Hull, Brown, Martin and other award winners took the stage for one last hoedown. Hoots and hollers were heard from every corner of the crowd.
WINNERS LIST
The 2025 International Bluegrass Music Association Bluegrass Music Award Winners are as follows:
Entertainer of the year: Billy Strings
Album of the year: “Carter & Cleveland” by Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland. Produced by Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland.
Song of the year: “Outrun the Rain” by Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland. Written by Terry Herd and Jimmy Yeary. Produced by Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland.
Vocal group of the year: Authentic Unlimited
Instrumental group of the year: The Travelin’ McCourys
New artist of the year: Red Camel Collective
Gospel recording of the year: “He’s Gone” by Jaelee Roberts. Written by Kelsi Harrigill. Produced by Byron House.
Instrumental recording of the year: “Ralph’s Banjo Special” by Alison Brown, Kristin Scott Benson and Gena Britt. Written by Ralph Stanley. Produced by Alison Brown.
Collaborative recording of the year: “Outrun the Rain” by Jason Carter, Michael Cleveland, Jaelee Roberts and Vince Gill. Written by Terry Herd and Jimmy Yeary. Produced by Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland.
Female vocalist of the year: Alison Krauss
Male vocalist of the year: Greg Blake
Fiddle player of the year: Maddie Denton
Mandolin player of the year: Sierra Hull
Guitar player of the year: Trey Hensley
Resophonic guitar player of the year: Justin Moses
Banjo player of the year: Kristin Scott Benson
Bass player of the year: Vickie Vaughn
2025 Bluegrass Hall of Fame inductees: The Bluegrass Cardinals, Hot Rize, and Arnold Shultz
Music video of the year: “The Auctioneer” by The Kody Norris Show. Written by Leroy Van Dyke and Buddy Black. Produced by James Gilley. Videography done by Nate Wiles.
Contact religion reporter Kailee Shores at kshores@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6659.