Jerry Douglas took the stage and stood proud as he was inducted into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame during the 35th Annual International Bluegrass Music Association Awards Thursday night in Raleigh.
“You don't come here alone,” the 68-year-old Dobro legend told the audience at the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts. “I've come a long way over the past 51 years, and I'm looking forward to what comes next.”
Douglas's heartfelt sentiments not only touched on his illustrious career, but were also emblematic of the current state of the IBMA and the greater scene itself when it comes to the “single high voice” – one foot firmly rooted in history and tradition, the other in the continuing evolution of sound and scope.
Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway won Album of the Year City of goldThis marks the second year in a row that the 31-year-old has received this honour. But the grand prize, Entertainer of the Year, went to the Del McCorry Band. McCorry, the elder statesman of bluegrass music, now 85, represents the genre's gold standard.
“There's no glass ceiling for bluegrass right now — it's limitless,” says CJ Lewandowski of the Boo Ramblin' Boys, who was nominated for Entertainer of the Year. “It's kind of a case of 'embracing' rather than 'enforcing' when it comes to things changing.”
Featuring former members of Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (Lawson retired from touring in 2021), the bluegrass/gospel group Authentic Unlimited has cemented their place as one of the leading acts of the modern era. They took home Vocal Group of the Year, Song of the Year, and Music Video of the Year. Jesse Brock was named Mandolin Player of the Year.
In a sign of the changing times, rising string instrument band East Nash Grass won New Artist of the Year, while dobro phenom Gavin Largent was named Resophonic Guitarist of the Year.
“I love how realistic it is [bluegrass] He is. “You can take it anywhere,” says James Key, guitarist for East Nash Grass. “The proof is in what you do, which is your ability to sit down and play music.”
East Nash Grass represents a current wave of younger names taking over the genre. From Tuttle to Billy Strings, Sierra Hull to AJ Lee & Blue Summit, these artists are filling big venues from coast to coast. Teaming up with the great banjo player Tony Trischka, the Strings won Collaborative Recording of the Year for “Brown's Ferry Blues.”
“I've always been a firm believer that innovation is at the heart of the soul of bluegrass music,” says banjo player Allison Brown. “So, it's great to see people like Billy Strings and Molly Tuttle raising the bar for music on the fringes and bringing it a new audience.”
Another group that is quickly elevating itself into the mainstream is Sister Sadie. With their famous album No fear Popular on the festival circuit this year, Jaylee Roberts received her first Female Vocalist of the Year award. Dennie Richardson was named Violinist of the Year.
“Denny and Gina Brett jumped at the opportunity to bring a young girl with a little theater and touring experience into the band,” says Roberts, 23. “And I will always be grateful to them for that.”
Throughout the IBMA Awards Show and World of Bluegrass festivities held in North Carolina's capital each September, there remains a bittersweet feeling: This will be the last year the gathering will be held in Raleigh. After 12 years, the IBMA World of Bluegrass will move to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where it will be held until at least 2027, starting on September 16, 2025. To fill the remaining void, a new bluegrass festival, Wide Open Rally, will launch on October 3, 2025 .
“Change is inevitable,” says Lewandowski. “[Chattanooga] It's an opportunity to locate centrally and try something a little different. It's always good to go somewhere new and see new things.”
As with every IBMA Awards ceremony, the heart of the evening comes with the inductions of beloved musicians and industry members into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame. Along with Douglas, banjo player Alan Mundy and radio broadcaster Katie Daly were also honored.
After his introduction, Douglas held court on stage for a poignant solo performance. “The word 'Hall of Fame' doesn't appear in my column,” he says. Rolling Stone. “I think about Red Allen and J.D. Crowe and those who really moved the needle. I still listen to them, I still take my lessons from them.”
List of 2024 IBMA Awards Winners:
Artist of the year
Dale McCurry Band
Vocal group of the year
Unlimited authenticity
This year's collection of instruments
The Travelin Macoris
Song of the year
“Falling in Tennessee,” Unlimited Authentic
Album of the year
gold city, Molly Tuttle and the Golden Highway
Gospel recording for this year
“God has already done so,” said Dale Ann Bradley
Automated registration for the year
“Knee Deep in Bluegrass” by Frank Ashby
New artist of the year
East Nash Grass
Cooperative registration for the year
“Brown's Ferry Blues”, Tony Trischka with Billy Strings
Male Singer of the Year
Danny Beasley
Singer of the year
Gilly Roberts
Banjo Player of the Year
Rob McCurry
Bass player of the year
Vicky Vaughn
Best violinist of the year
Denny Richardson
Resophonic Guitarist of the Year
Gavin Largent
Guitarist of the year
Cody Kilby
Mandolin player of the year
Jesse Brock
Music Video of the Year (TIE)
“Falling in Tennessee,” Unlimited Authentic
“Alberta Bound,” special consensus with Ray Leger, John Richman, Patrick Sauber, Trisha Gagnon, Farris and Jason Romero, and Claire Lynch
