Archive for the ‘IBMA Awards’ Tag
I am really missing the IBMA live stream: all the asides and quips, and especially the various “thanks” that are offered—you can learn a lot about a person by the way they accept an award. The ‘in memory’ segment is something for which I have great respect. Also, I regret not being able to hear the Rounder folks receive their Hall of Fame honours; I am certain Ken Irwin had fine words. Finally, the live performances are almost always memorable.
I can’t imagine why there is no live stream this year beyond a lack of sponsorship, which is too bad. I wonder why the IBMA can’t just ‘do it’ on their own…even if only on Periscope!
Mountain Faith, a band that made their name on a reality series, was just awarded Emerging Artist of the Year. Sigh. The less I say…
Song of the Year just went to a song originally released in 1990. I called it. I wouldn’t have voted for it. “You’re the One,” by Flatt Lonesome, giving them two awards tonight, and I predict they will get the hat trick later on. I believe it is the weakest performance on their (quite enjoyable) album; what the hell do I know?!
Again, the less I say…
Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen were awarded Instrumental Group of the Year…my prediction percentage is falling—barely over 50% now. I heard The Earls of Leicester and Dirty Kitchen side-by-side this summer. No offense…to these ears and when it comes to ‘bluegrass,’ it ain’t close.
That is after self-revision/editing.
Penny Parsons, author of Foggy Mountain Troubadour, was named Bluegrass Media Person of the Year. I had placed her bio of Curly Seckler on my ‘to buy’ list, but then forgot about it…need to correct that.
It is hard for the bluegrass industry to receive true, critical coverage when folks are eligible (vying?) for recognition from the professional industry. No? Looking at the list of very fine past winners, perhaps Bluegrass Media Promoter of the Year would be a better name for the award.
Other Special Awards presented earlier went to the IBMA’s new chairperson, Joe Mullins, as Broadcaster of the Year, and his son Daniel for Best Liner notes for a Traditional Grass compilation…a band featuring Joe Mullins. Yes, the industry is a bit incestuous…
Flatt Lonesome won Album of the Year, an album much, much stronger than their previous and one I positively reviewed. Still, Runaway Train wouldn’t have been in my top 25 bluegrass albums of the year, and where I predicted the ‘hat trick’ above, I thought they would get Entertainer of the Year. The SteelDrivers got themselves robbed.
The evening’s final award—Entertainer of the Year—rightfully goes to The Earls of Leicester! As it should be. (I predicted Flatt Lonesome, but hoped for the Earls.) I believe that puts me below 50% for the night on the predications, probably better than I have ever done before…not exactly pleased about that, but glad about many of them.
I wonder what I missed? Hopefully next year the video live stream is back…or at least someone in the audience decides to Periscope the event.
Most years I live blog about the awards as they occur, but this year I am having to rely on Twitter, and specifically @StacyChandler for information as they are not streaming the awards this year. I am sure there is a reason for this, a good one, but it is disappointing.
Therefore, I will only post a couple times tonight and leave the instantaneous reactions to those present.
I posted my thoughts and predictions over at Fervor Coulee Bluegrass earlier this week, if you care.
The first award of the evening goes to The Special Consensus for Instrumental Performance of the Year, “Fireball.” I’m one-for-one…it won’t last.
I am not surprised that Recorded Event of the Year was awarded to “Longneck Blues” from the popular Junior Sisk and Ronnie Bowman despite my belief that it isn’t a terribly strong song. No longer batting 1.000.
Banjo player of the year: Charlie Cushman of The Earls of Leicester. I didn’t call this one because I (for some reason) felt the noodlers would have their way, but I couldn’t be happier. Cushman knows how to play bluegrass. Beautiful.
Dobro player of the year: Jerry Douglas, the true Earl of Leicester, for the tenth time and second year in a row. Called that one. I also believe it will be cold this winter.
Bass player of the year: Barry Bales, making the E of L three-for-three. My mistake in not going with BB: with Rob McCoury ‘finally’ winning as Banjo player of the year last year, I thought maybe this time the organization would get behind the Del McCoury Band/Travellin’ McCoury’s other member that has never been crowned by the IBMA, Alan Bartrum. I was wrong.
Getting all the instrumental awards out of the way, apparently. Next, Mandolin player of the year, and a first time winner- Sierra Hull. I hedged on this one, backing both Adam Steffey and Sierra Hull: not my kind of music—barely in the big tent last time I listened—but not surprised that the powerbrokers of the industry went with her.
Fiddle player of the year: Wow! I got another one—Becky Buller.
Guitar player of the year is Bryan Sutton, for the tenth time—well deserved. He is one heck of a player, and released an excellent album. And, I called it. Let’s see…that makes me four-and-a-half for eight, which is spooky.
Now, onto the vocalists…I’m surprised that Becky Buller has just been named Female Vocalist of the Year. She didn’t release a new album, but I guess her increased presence in the industry has been rewarded. Deserving. Not as deserving as Dale Ann Bradley, but…
Gospel recorded performance of the year, “All Dressed Up” by Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers, a song I thought was pretty good initially, but which in retrospect is too ‘by the books’ for my tastes. Still, a fine performance, I just happened to enjoy what Laurie Lewis & the Right Hands did more. My prediction that she wouldn’t win was correct, so I’m counting this one!
Male vocalist of the year, Danny Paisley. Some would say, “About time!” I’m one of them as I predicted this one. Again, I would have voted differently, but—again—deserving.
I called another one, which is frightening…Flatt Lonesome is Vocal group of the year. Again, not to my taste, but I take some satisfaction in at least being able to predict the direction the wind is blowing…even from a distance.
Originally published elsewhere:
With the change to fall colours comes the annual International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) World of Bluegrass festivities, seemingly the only major show who hasn’t cancelled on North Carolina. Well, perhaps ‘major’ is too strong a word. I’m sure there were a lot of reasons for not abandoning Raleigh, all of them tied to dollars.
The awards are to be handed out September 29.
I love bluegrass music, and look forward to the IBMA Awards show, an evening where the best of bluegrass is feted, an evening where shirts get tucked, an evening where a few folks don evening gowns, and Doyle Lawson isn’t the only one wearing sequins.
One of the highpoints of the evening is when the Hall of Fame Inductees are presented with the industry’s highest honour. This year, the Rounder founders-Bill Nowlin, Marian Leighton Levy, and Ken Irwin-are given their just recognition as is Clarence White. These are deserving recipients. Worth noting that Hazel Dickens is still a-waitin’.
Also recognized this year are Bluegrass Unlimited magazine, the Boston Bluegrass Union, Bill Emerson, Jim Rooney, and SiriusXM Radio’s Bluegrass Junction with Distinguished Achievement Awards. Most of those folks deserve recognition at this level, but one feels a little ‘I’ll massage your back, you keep massaging ours.” Still, hard to argue.
Now, onto the awards whose recipients we do not yet know…although, some are predictable; we’ll see if I’m right. (Heads up, don’t wager based on my guesses! I take no responsibility for your loses.)
Entertainer Of The Year:Balsam Range; The Del McCoury Band; The Earls of Leicester; Flatt Lonesome; The Gibson Brothers
For the past four years this award has gone to The Earls, Balsam Range, and the Gibsons. The McCourys haven’t won in a dozen years, and would I love to see them get recognized one more time: no band entertains me more. However, I have a feeling-like I had in 2005, the only year I attended the awards-that the unexpected/inexplicable will happen and Flatt Lonesome will get the nod. They have gained a lot of press, and folks seem to love them. I wouldn’t be voting for them (if I had a ballot, The Earls of Leicester would get my X,) but I can see others doing so.
Vocal Group Of The Year:Balsam Range; Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver; The Earls of Leicester; Flatt Lonesome; The Gibson Brothers
Based on what I know, Blue Highway should win this award most years. What? They aren’t nominated? Huh. Okay, then. Balsam Range and the Gibsons are the most recent winners. Again, is this Flatt Lonesome’s year? I am thinking so, but I would vote for The Earls.
Instrumental Group Of The Year:The Earls of Leicester; Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen; Punch Brothers; Sam Bush Band; The Travelin’ McCourys
I heard two of these bands this summer, The Earls and Dirty Kitchen. I’m kind of surprised at the inclusion of the other three. I would love to see either Sam Bush Band or the McCourys walk away with the award, but can’t imagine a tighter, more interesting band of bluegrass instrumentalists than The Earls of Leicester. I would vote for them.
Male Vocalist Of The Year:Shawn Camp; Del McCoury; Buddy Melton; Tim O’Brien; Danny Paisley
All great singers, obviously. Shawn Camp surprised most of us last year by winning, and he hasn’t done anything to lose the crown. Still, this award has bounced around a little and, the last time I heard him sing live, I still thought he was the best I ever heard. Del McCoury for the win. It will be Danny Paisley, I’m predicting-I believe he will have select industry support. Not a bad choice.
Female Vocalist Of The Year:Becky Buller; Dale Ann Bradley; Claire Lynch; Amanda Smith; Rhonda Vincent
Rhonda made a comeback last year and grabbed this one after a decade’s absence. The fact that I don’t think she has made a strong bluegrass album in years won’t matter, and I can see her repeating. Still, my vote every year will be for Dale Ann Bradley, and with the strength of the Sister Sadie disc, I am okay continuing in that direction.
Song Of The Year:”Black River” Sierra Hull (artist/writer); “Long Way Down” The SteelDrivers (artist), Elizabeth Mala Hengber, Tammy Rogers King, and Jerry Salley (writers); “Radio” Steep Canyon Rangers (artist), Graham Paul Sharp (writer); “Thunder & Lightning” Lonesome River Band (artist), Adam Wright (writer); “You’re the One” Flatt Lonesome (artist), Dwight Yoakum (writer)
I recall seeing this list when first released, and thinking, Again? For me it comes down to taste-what I like isn’t usually popular, and what is popular isn’t usually what I like, and each year lately when this list comes out I am out of the loop.
I don’t believe a song written more than twenty years ago should get this award, so that eliminates “You’re the One.” It also means it will win. I can’t believe “Radio” is nominated as it isn’t that strong of a song, in my opinion. Sierra Hull’s song isn’t my type of ‘grass, and the LRB song isn’t even the strongest on the album.
Examine the list of previous winners of this award, and with a couple exceptions those songs have become contemporary classics. Add “Long Way Down” to that list. I can’t understand how “The Bluefield West Virginia Blues” didn’t make the ballot.
Album Of The Year:”Bridging the Tradition” Lonesome River Band; “It’s About Tyme” Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out; “Runaway Train” Flatt Lonesome; “The Muscle Shoals Recordings” The SteelDrivers; “Weighted Mind” Sierra Hull
So as not to repeat myself, see above. “The Muscle Shoals Recordings,” no doubt; it is the only album on the list I would have in my top 5. I’m afraid it won’t win.
(If you care, my Top 5 would have included some combination of The SteelDrivers, Big Country Bluegrass, Dale Ann Bradley, James Reams & the Barnstormers, Jeff White, the Kathy Kallick Band, Laurie Lewis & the Right Hands, Sister Sadie, Ron Block, and The Hillbenders. I have no idea how I would have winnowed things down.)
Gospel Recorded Performance Of The Year:”All Dressed Up” Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers; “In The Heat of the Fire” Flatt Lonesome; “Rocking of the Cradle” Lonesome River Band; “The Savior Is Born” Becky Buller; “Won’t You Come and Sing For Me” Laurie Lewis and the Right Hands
I don’t believe there is any way Laurie Lewis and the Right Hands can win this award. They are far too ‘outside’ to do so. But, would I love to be proven incorrect. What a performance!
Instrumental Recorded Performance Of The Year:”Cazenovia Casanova” Frank Solivan with Sam Bush and Jerry Douglas; “Fireball” Special Consensus featuring Rob Ickes, Trey Hensley, and Alison Brown; “Hogan’s Goat” The Boxcars; Hogan’s House of Music Ron Block; “Smartville” Ron Block
I wish this award still went to an entire album, but in reading the criteria, it is most definitely for ‘a tune.’ Unless a clarification went out, I have no idea what songs Ron Block is nominated for as “Hogan’s House of Music” is the name of the album, not a song-at least, according to my download. “Smartville” is a good tune. I do like me some Special C.
Recorded Event Of The Year:”Fireball” Special Consensus featuring Rob Ickes, Trey Hensley, and Alison Brown; “Highway 40 Blues” Special Consensus with Della Mae; “In The Pines” Carl Jackson and Brad Paisley; “Longneck Blues” Junior Sisk and Ronnie Bowman; “Pretty Woman” Frank Solivan with Del McCoury I’ll go with “Fireball” on this one. I’m not sure a guitar duet is bluegrass, but it will probably win considering Brad Paisley’s contributions to bluegrass over the years. “Longneck Blues” isn’t that strong of a song, and this version of “Pretty Woman” is sleepy, even with Del along.
Emerging Artist Of The Year:Band of Ruhks; The Lonely Heartstring Band; Mountain Faith; Sister Sadie; Steve Gulley & New Pinnacle; Town Mountain
Okay, let me-for the first time ever-not endorse Dale Ann Bradley for an award. Groups with veterans of the stature of those comprising Sister Sadie and Band of Ruhks can’t be emerging, and Steve Gulley has been around a long, long time…hell, he was a member of Mountain Heart when they won this award in 1999. As for Town Mountain, they have been around for a decade, but have made moves in the last couple years. I believe The Lonely Heartstrings Band should win this one; they don’t make my kind of bluegrass, but there is no arguing their abilities.
Instrumental Performers Of The Year
Banjo: Charlie Cushman; Jens Kruger; Mike Munford; Noam Pikelny; Sammy Shelor
Of the instrumentalist awards, this is maybe the toughest to predict. No one has repeated since 2011, and last year’s winner Rob McCoury isn’t even on the list. I’m going to take a flyer and suggest Jens Kruger gets the award. I have no way of knowing why ’cause I am not a player and this award seems to be one that ‘noodlers’ are most invested in.
Bass: Barry Bales; Alan Bartram; Mike Bub; Missy Raines; Mark Schatz
Again, last year’s winner isn’t nominated-Tim Surrett. I’ll go with Alan Bartram.
Fiddle: Becky Buller; Jason Carter; Michael Cleveland; Stuart Duncan; Ron Stewart
Becky Buller had a big night a year ago, and I haven’t predicted her to take anything so far…so, now I will:Becky Buller.
Dobro: Jerry Douglas; Andy Hall; Rob Ickes; Phil Leadbetter; Josh Swift
Jerry Douglas won last year for the first time in quite a while. I believe he will repeat.
Guitar:Chris Eldridge; Jim Hurst; Kenny Smith; Bryan Sutton; Josh Williams
I don’t see why Bryan Sutton doesn’t win this award for the 10th time. He had a really strong album come out, and everyone seems to like the guy.
Mandolin: Jesse Brock; Sam Bush; Sierra Hull; Frank Solivan; Adam Steffey
Adam Steffey has won this award eleven of the last fourteen years. It’s another guess, but I’ll predict an even dozen by the time the night is over. Still, wouldn’t be surprised to see Sierra Hull get the nod.
There are my thoughts on the upcoming IBMA awards presentations. There is almost always a big surprise (last year, Becky Buller’s dominance) and I’m sure there will be at least one this time out.
Enjoy the awards.
I spent the evening over at Fervor Coulee Bluegrass, commenting on the IBMA awards as they unfolded in Raleigh, NC. It was a great show, highlighted by some super performances, a pair of moving and inspired inductions into the Hall of Fame, and Barry Bales. Visit Fervor Coulee Bluegrass here.
I was only a little bit mitchy.
Thanks for visiting Fervor Coulee. I know I haven’t been posting very often. Call it a writing depression caused by listening to music that doesn’t inspire. So much of the roots music I’m hearing is quite, well, blah. But, the 60s and 70s soul has been outstanding. Gladys Knight and the Pips!
Donald
I’ll be blogging about the IBMA awards all evening. I hope there will be many of you following as last years IBMA evening was Fervor Coulee’s busiest ever. I’m trying to access the IBMA website to see what the results from earlier today were, but the site is over-loaded according to the messages I’m receiving. I guess that either speaks well of how many people are seeking information, or how poor quality their web provider is.
Things start in about 9 minutes.
I demonstrated, once again, that I am a better predicter predictor (obviously not a speller)of results than I am likely to vote the way of the IBMA masses.
I got 6 of the 20 awards I hazarded predictions on accurate. I only would have voted with the winners in two four (learn to count) cases, but one of those was the evening’s biggest award, Entertainer of the Year. (Also, Dale Ann as Female Vox, “Trains” as Song, and Escott for liner notes.)
9:50- Chris Jones admited that he didn’t do very well either.
Highlight- Dale Ann reclaiming her Female Vocalist award
Surprise- “Trains I Missed” getting Song of the Year
Gimme of the night- Rob Ickes getting Dobro Player of the Year…and I still didn’t predict it. And Michael C. as Fiddler
The album I haven’t heard that I need to hear- both the Doyle, JD, and Paul disc and the Gibson Brothers album. And yes, I predicted it would win without hearing it. I’m that good!
Right.
And thanks to all of you- over 400 hits tonight. Yikes! For me, that is a heck of a lot; best day ever here at Fervor Coulee.
Tomorrow, I blog about Blue Bloods.
9:28- Sam Bush did a fine job as host, I do believe. A final shout-out to William Smith Monroe.
9:29- I missed who was performing the instrumental- I heard George Shuffler’s name so I’m just going to sit back and listen a bit.
Real nice. Smooth. Okay, a dropped not there but they picked it up and took it home.
That was fine; not sure of the tune- my bluegrass depth is showing.
9:31- Del McCoury Band and Friends- Roland and Sam- now. I could listen to Del all day. A bit of rough there around the edges. There we go- now he’s in full voice. “The last letter she wrote was on a blue piece of paper…” Haven’t heard that in awhile. Going the medley route it looks like- swinging into “Loneliness and Desperation.”
A good show all around. Some fiddling going on as we hit 9:35. I can identify about 12 instrumental tunes- this isn’t one of them, but I know it. No guesses, just enjoying the sounds. “Roanoke,” perhaps? I’ll be glad to be corrected.
9:38- That’s all, folks.
I hope I have provided a service you appreciate tonight. I enjoyed listening and sharing.
Thanks for visiting Fervor Coulee. Donald
Donald Teplyske