2017 IBMA Awards Nominees Revealed
The International Bluegrass Music Association has announced the nominees for its 2017 IBMA Awards. The Punch Brothers, Front Country and the Earls of Leicester are among those nominated for trophies this year.
The Earls of Leicester are among the 2017 IBMA Awards Entertainer of the Year nominees, along with Balsam Range, Flatt Lonesome and others; the Earls also received nods in the Instrumental Group of the Year and Album of the Year categories. The Punch Brothers are also nominated for Instrumental Group of the Year, while Front Country have received a nod for Emerging Artist of the Year. A complete list of 2017 IBMA Awards nominees is below.
During the 2017 IBMA Awards nominees announcement, which took place on Wednesday (July 26), the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame's 2017 inductees were also revealed: Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard, Bobby Hicks and Roland White. Additionally, Norman Blake, the bluegrass music publication Bluegrass Today, Louisa Branscomb, Fletcher Bright and Silver Dollar City will all received Distinguished Achievement Awards this year.
The 2017 IBMA Awards ceremony will take place on Sept. 28 in Raleigh, N.C., during the annual World of Bluegrass conference. Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn will co-host the event.
2017 International Bluegrass Music Association Awards Nominees
Entertainer of the Year
Balsam Range
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
The Earls of Leicester
Flatt Lonesome
The Gibson Brothers
Female Vocalist of the Year
Brooke Aldridge
Dale Ann Bradley
Sierra Hull
Amanda Smith
Molly Tuttle
Male Vocalist of the Year
Shawn Camp
Eric Gibson
Leigh Gibson
Buddy Melton
Russell Moore
Emerging Artist of the Year
Front Country
The Lonely Heartstring Band
Molly Tuttle
Sister Sadie
Volume Five
Vocal Group of the Year
Balsam Range
Blue Highway
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Flatt Lonesome
The Gibson Brothers
Instrumental Group of the Year
Balsam Range
The Earls of Leicester
Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen
Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
Punch Brothers
Song of the Year
“Blue Collar Dreams,” recorded by Balsam Range; Aaron Bibelhauser (writer)
“Going Back To Bristol,” recorded by Shawn Camp; Mac Wiseman, Thomm Jutz, Peter Cooper (writers)
“I Am a Drifter,” recorded by Volume Five; Donna Ulisse, Marc Rossi (writers)
“Someday Soon,” recorded by Darin & Brooke Aldridge; Ian Tyson (writer)
“The Train That Carried My Girl From Town,” recorded by the Earls of Leicester; Frank Hutchison (writer)
Album of the Year
Fiddler’s Dream, Michael Cleveland; producers: Jeff White / Michael Cleveland; Compass Records
In the Ground, the Gibson Brothers; producers: Eric Gibson / Leigh Gibson / Mike Barber; Rounder Records
Mountain Voodoo, Balsam Range; producer: Balsam Range; Mountain Home Records
Original, Bobby Osborne; producer: Alison Brown; Compass Records
Rattle & Roar, the Earls of Leicester; producer: Jerry Douglas; Rounder Records
Recorded Event of the Year
“East Virginia Blues,” Ricky Wasson and Dan Tyminski
“Going Back to Bristol,” Shawn Camp with Mac Wiseman, Peter Cooper, Thomm Jutz
“I’ve Gotta Get a Message to You,” Bobby Osborne with Sierra Hull, Alison Brown, Rob Ickes, Stuart Duncan, Trey Hensley, Todd Phillips, Kenny Malone, Claire Lynch and Bryan McDowell
“Steamboat Whistle Blues,” Michael Cleveland feat. Sam Bush
“‘Tis Sweet to Be Remembered,” Mac Wiseman and Alison Krauss
Top 5 Americana, Alt-Country, Bluegrass and Folk Albums of 2017 (So Far)