IBMA Awards 2023: Ketch Secor and Molly Tuttle Host and Billy Strings Wins Big

The 34th annual International Bluegrass Music Awards took place in Raleigh, North Carolina, Thursday night to much fanfare and naturally, a few banjo jokes. No Depression's Assistant Editor, Stacy Chandler, worked behind the scenes to write the script for this year's bluegrass power-couple hosts Ketch Secor and Molly Tuttle. Tuttle, along with her band Golden Highway, led the way with seven nominations, ultimately winning three of the prestigious awards for Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Female Vocalist of the Year.

Billy Strings, the young flat-picking phenom whose blend of bluegrass music has been selling out arenas and amphitheaters nationwide, was another notable winner, earning Entertainer of the Year honors for the third consecutive year. Mandolinist and songwriter Sam Bush was inducted into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame. Wilma Lee Cooper, one of the earliest and most influential women in bluegrass, and mandolinist David Grisman were also inducted during the evening's celebrations.

Here’s a partial list of Thursday night’s award winners, with their names in bold amid the nominees. You can find the full list here.

Entertainer of the Year

Appalachian Road Show Billy StringsDel McCoury Band Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys

Album of the Year

Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway – Crooked TreeMichael Cleveland – Lovin’ of the GameJason Carter – Lowdown HoedownBilly Strings – Me and DadSam Bush – Radio John: The Songs of John Hartford

Song of the Year

Appalachian Road Show – “Blue Ridge Mountain Baby” (songwriters Barry Abernathy and Jim VanCleve) Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway – “Crooked Tree” (songwriters Molly Tuttle and Melody Walker)Sister Sadie – “Diane” (songwriters Jeffrey Nash Bhasker, Samuel Tyler Johnson, and Cameron Marvel Ochs) Lonesome River Band – “Heyday” (songwriters Barry Huchens and Will Huchens) Rick Faris – “Power of Love” (Johnny Colla, Huey Lewis, and Christopher Hayes)

New Artist of the Year

Authentic UnlimitedEast Nash Grass Henhouse Prowlers The Tennessee Bluegrass Band Tray Wellington

Female Vocalist of the Year

Brooke Aldridge Dale Ann Bradley Jaelee Roberts Molly TuttleRhonda Vincent

Male Vocalist of the Year

Greg BlakeDel McCoury Danny Paisley Larry Sparks Dan Tyminski

Banjo Player of the Year

Kristin Scott BensonAlison Brown Béla Fleck Ned Luberecki Scott Vestal

Mandolin Player of the Year

Alan Bibey Jesse Brock Sam Bush Sierra HullRonnie McCoury

Bass Player of the Year

Mike Bub Todd Phillips Missy Raines Mark Schatz Vickie Vaughn

Fiddle Player of the Year

Jason CarterMichael Cleveland Stuart Duncan Bronwyn Keith-Hynes Deanie Richardson

Guitar Player of the Year

Chris Eldridge Trey HensleyBilly Strings Bryan Sutton Molly Tuttle

Resophonic Guitar Player of the Year

Jerry Douglas Andy Hall Rob Ickes Matt Leadbetter Justin Moses

Vocal Group of the Year

Authentic UnlimitedBalsam Range Blue Highway Del McCoury Band Sister Sadie

Instrumental Group of the Year

Billy Strings Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper The Infamous Stringdusters Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway The Travelin’ McCourys

Collaborative Recording of the Year

“Alberta Bound” – Special Consensus with Ray Legere, John Reischman, Tisha Gagnon, Claire Lynch, and Pharis and Jason Romero“Big Mon” – Andy Leftwich with Sierra Hull “Foggy Morning Breaking” – Alison Brown with Steve Martin “For Your Love” – Michael Cleveland with Billy Strings and Jeff White “From My Mountain (Calling You)” – Peter Rowan with Molly Tuttle and Lindsay Lou

Instrumental Recording of the Year

“Contact” – Michael Cleveland with Cody Kilby, Barry Bales, and Béla Fleck “Foggy Morning Breaking” – Alison Brown with Steve Martin “Gold Rush” – Scott Vestal’s Bluegrass 2022 “Kissimmee Kid” – Jason Carter“Scorchin’ the Gravy” – Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen

Gospel Recording of the Year

“The Glory Road” – Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers “Jordan” – Darin & Brooke Aldridge with Ricky Skaggs, Mo Pitney, and Mark Fain “The Scarlet Red Lines” – Larry Sparks“Take a Little Time for Jesus” – Junior Sisk “Tell Me the Story of Jesus” – Becky Buller with Vince Gill and Ricky Skaggs