Even as the state is reeling from the onset of Hurricane Helene today (wishing everyone a safe recovery from the storm!), so too is the International Bluegrass Music Association descending on Raleigh, North Carolina, for the 35th installment of its annual conference and World of Bluegrass Festival.

IBMA is always a whirlwind of good times, featuring bluegrass music's best and brightest in an array of official and unofficial showcases. There's plenty of schmoozing and wandering and an exhibition hall full of fine instruments, labels, and industry folks. And, one cannot forget the awards show which, this year, took place last night in a ceremony hosted by longtime favorites John Cowan and Missy Raines.

This year, the big winners included Del McCoury as Entertainer of the Year and City of Gold by Molly Tuttle as Album of the Year. Authentic Unlimited took home two trophies. To boot, the IBMA inducted a handful of artists into its Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame: Katy Daley, Alan Munde, and Jerry Douglas who mused about the honor in a recent ND feature, when he talked with writer Sean Moores about his latest album, The Set.

And now for a full list of the 2024 IBMA Award Winners:

Vocal Group of the Year: Authentic Unlimited

Instrumental Group of the Year: The Travelin’ McCourys

Song of the Year: “Fall in Tennessee” - Authentic Unlimited

Album of the Year: City of Gold - Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway

Gospel Recording of the Year: “God Already Has” - Dale Ann Bradley

Instrumental Recording of the Year: “Knee Deep in Bluegrass” - Ashby Frank

New Artist of the Year: East Nash Grass

Collaborative Recording of the Year: “Brown’s Ferry Blues” - Tony Trischka with Billy Strings

Male Vocalist of the Year: Danny Paisley

Female Vocalist of the Year: Jaelee Roberts

Banjo Player of the Year: Rob McCoury

Bass Player of the Year: Vickie Vaughn

Fiddle Player of the Year: Deanie Richardson

Resophonic Guitar Player of the Year: Gaven Largent

Guitar Player of the Year: Cody Kilby

Mandolin Player of the Year: Jesse Brock

Music Video of the Year [TIE]: “Fall in Tennessee” - Authentic Unlimited // “Alberta Bound” - Special Consensus with Ray Legere, John Reischman, Patrick Sauber, Trisha Gagnon, Pharis & Jason Romero, and Claire Lynch

WHAT WE'RE LISTENING TO

Cordovas - Rose of Aces Jake Blount & Mali Obomsawin - symbiont Julian Taylor - PathwaysKaty J Pearson - “It's Mine Now” Mary Gauthier - "Drag Queens in Limousines" New Dangerfield - “Put No Walls Around Your Garden” Rose Cousins - "I Believe in Love (And It's Very Hard)" Samantha Crain - "Dragonfly" Sierra Hull - “Black Muddy River” (Grateful Dead cover) St. Lenox - “Courtesan” Taylor Hollingsworth - “Never Can Be Lonely” Valley Flower - “Valley Flower” Vanessa Collier - Do It My Own Way Will Hodge - Unplugged Revisited podcast