IBMA Award Winners

What a great show, the only complaint, for those of us that live East of the mountain, it gets a little late. I will have to admit I only listened to about 3/4 of the show. You know had to wake up early to hoe my corn! The live performances were great, congrats to all. I would like to say that this is my first year keeping up with the IBMAs. But, I can truly say I have never heard so many gifted and talented people be so humble!! This is sadly a rarity in mainstream music award shows. Everytime Dailey & Vincent spoke I got misted eyed, you can tell those boys are truly touched, it is so awesome to see that! And everyone gave the glory to the rightful one, Lord Jesus. I was not surprised at Dailey & Vincent carrying the night, those boys are on a roll! I think the only dissappointment for me was Grasstowne, I thought the would have gotten a little more hardware. But, I am kind of partial to Uncle Phil Ledbetter, he has helped me several times in my dobro learning, and I saw them in Amelia, VA. I was glad to see Barry Bales get the nod, I have always been impressed with him, you gotta watch those "quiet bass playing guys". I would also once again like to congratulate Kyle Cantrell, I listen to his XM show every day, and had it not been for me checking at he bluegrass blog, I would have never known he would Broadcaster of the Year, what a great guy!! See below for the entire list of winners:



THE RECIPIENTS
BLUEGRASS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
Bill CliftonCharles K. Wolfe

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Dailey & Vincent

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Dailey & Vincent
INSTRUMENTAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Jamie Dailey
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Dale Ann Bradley
SONG OF THE YEAR
"Through The Window Of A Train," Blue Highway (artists), Tim Stafford & Steve Gulley (songwriters)

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Dailey & Vincent, Dailey & Vincent (artists), Jamie Dailey & Darrin Vincent (producers), Rounder Records
RECORDED EVENT OF THE YEAR
Everett Lilly & Everybody and Their Brother, Featuring Everett Lilly, Bea Lilly, Charles Lilly, Daniel Lilly, Mark Lilly, Marty Stuart, Rhonda Vincent, Billy Walker, Ronnie McCoury, Rob McCoury, David Ball, Charlie Cushman, Larry Stephenson, Joe Spivey, Eddie Stubbs, Jason Carter, Dickey Lee, Freddy Weller, Mike Bub, Rad Lewis, Andy May, Darrin Vincent, Marcia Campbell, Clay Rigdon, Eric Blankenship & Bill Wolfenbarger (artists), Charles Lilly & Bill Wolfenbarger (producers), Swift River Music
INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Sound of the Slide Guitar, Andy Hall (artist & producer), Sugar Hill Records
GOSPEL RECORDED PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
"By The Mark," Dailey & Vincent (artists), Jamie Dailey & Darrin Vincent (producers), Rounder Records

EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Dailey & Vincent
INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMERS OF THE YEAR
BANJO
Kristin Scott Benson

BASS
Barry Bales

FIDDLE
Michael Cleveland

DOBRO
Rob Ickes
GUITAR
Josh Williams

MANDOLIN
Adam Steffey
Distinguished Achievement Award Recipients
Bill HarrellThe Banjo NewsletterArt MeniusThe Ernest Tubb Record ShopJoe Carr & Alan MundeBluegrass Broadcaster of the Year:
Kyle Cantrell, XM Satellite Radio

Print Media Person of the Year:
Chris Stuart
Best Liner Notes for a Recorded Project:
Gary Reid, The Stanley Brothers: The Definitive Collection (1947-1966), The Stanley Brothers, Time Life

Best Graphic Design for a Recorded Project:
G. Carr & S. Holman, What The, Pete Wernick & Flexigrass, Niwot Records
Bluegrass Event of the Year Award: 29th Annual Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival; Thomas Point Beach, Maine; Aug. 30-Sept. 2, 2007

IBMA AWARD SHOW

Wow, its so hard to believe tonight is the night. Thanks to XM radio I will be able to hear it live, can't wait to see how it all turns out. What hard choices, everyone nominated is so deserving. I can only imagine the thought, and difficulty that went into voting. I would also like to congratulate Kyle Cantrell of XM radio for winning BLUEGRASS BROADCASTER OF THE YEAR!! He is definitely the class of the field, I know this because his XM show is all I listen to. GOOD LUCK EVERYBODY!!

WHEELS

Well, as I set here in the drenching rains of Tropical Storm Hanna, unable to go to the Richmond NASCAR race until tomorrow, I have finally got a spare moment to download (legally) WHEELS, Dan Tyminski's latest project. Wow, the only thing that can be said is if you are a Bluegrass fan, buy this album! There is not one track filler on this entire album. Every song come with Dan's signature style, great vocals, great music, great story lines, especially "How Long is this Train", I haven't been able to listen without tearing up, yet. One thing I have always noticed in Bluegrass was how down to earth all the pickers are, especially Dan. I look forward to next Month when his band will be at the Richmond Folk Festival, because I will definitely be there. Maybe, one day when my dobro playing improves, I'll be able to run away from home and join his band, well maybe at least take him out for a round of golf.

Welcome!!

I would like to welcome you to this newly formed blog. I would like to use this space to discuss Bluegrass music, and the way of life it celebrates. I have tried to play the music, on guitar, mandolin, and now trying the dobro, to not much success. Therefore, I 'll try to do something I am good at, that is talking about it! I named this blog in honor of my grandparent's band that was active in the 1970's in Maggie Valley, NC. The Cannon Bluegrass Brigade, featuring Charlie and Hazel Cannon. I would love to mention the other band members, but all I have is a photo. If anyone knows I would love to here from you.