The International Bluegrass Music Association has announced its nominees for the 37th annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards, and the list is stacked with talent. Alison Krauss&Union Station, Sister Sadie, and East Nash Grass are among the top contenders, all vying for entertainer of the year alongside Billy Strings and The Del McCoury Band. The ceremony is set for Oct. 22 at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Sam Bush and Sierra Hull will co-host and perform at the awards, bringing two of the genre’s most respected names to the stage. The 2026 Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame inductees are Byron Berline, the Nashville Bluegrass Band, Barry Poss, and The Lost&Found, a class that honors decades of contributions to the music.
It’s all part of IBMA World of Bluegrass, running Oct. 20 through 24, featuring the Business Conference, Bluegrass Ramble, awards, and the Bluegrass Live! festival. The awards will be livestreamed, with details coming soon. Who’s your pick for entertainer of the year?
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Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
