The 36th annual International Bluegrass Music Association Awards show felt a little different this go-round. Sure, the annual gathering of the genre overtook Chattanooga, Tennessee, for the first time this past week. But the bigger story was Billy Strings, who was in attendance to receive Entertainer of the Year honors.
“It just feels good to be back here and to be welcomed,” Strings tells Rolling Stone backstage. “And to also let these folks know that I’m still here with them. I haven’t abandoned bluegrass. I very much am still wanting to be here.”
A multifaceted guitar wizard who has singlehandedly brought bluegrass to the arena level, the singer-songwriter took home his fourth Entertainer win. Held at the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Auditorium, the award show was hosted by the banjo duo of Alison Brown and Steve Martin.
“Sometimes I feel that music of certain frequencies we’re drawn to at different points in time,” Brown says. “I think the authenticity of bluegrass music is something that speaks to people in the age of big-tech and A.I.”
For Strings, who was at IBMAs all this week, being present was more than just a full circle moment. It was also a chance to witness the bridging of generations of artists whose core resides in the storied “high, lonesome sound.” At one point during the conference, Strings jumped onstage with 90-year-old Paul Williams, best known for his work with bluegrass pillar Jimmy Martin & the Sunny Mountain Boys.
“The scene has changed, and actually for the better,” says Greg Cahill of bluegrass act the Special Consensus, who are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year. “People were worried about traditional bluegrass dying. Thank God for Billy Strings. He’s brought all these young people into [bluegrass].”
“I’m going to try to mix up the camo with the tie-dye a little bit, stir up the Nag Champa with the ‘Roll Tide,’” Strings said in his keynote address earlier this week. “We have to continue to welcome new voices, whose unique perspectives and experience will enrich our collective artistic expression. We’ve got to allow these fresh ideas to mingle with tradition.”
Strings’ sentiments rang true throughout the award show, especially when it came to this younger generation of musicians breaking into the mainstream. From Vickie Vaughn getting Bass Player of the Year to East Nash Grass’ Maddie Denton receiving Fiddle Player honors, these are crystal-clear signs of a new, bountiful era for bluegrass.
“There’s just something about this music that’s pure at its truest form,” says Sierra Hull, who was honored with her seventh Mandolin Player of the Year trophy. “When you can actually come and hear these instruments — just wire and wood and these three-part harmonies — there’s a truth to it that speaks to a lot of people.”
Those truths go back numerous decades, underscored by those being inducted into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame during the ceremony. This year’s newest members included Hot Rize, the Bluegrass Cardinals, and the late Arnold Shultz, an old-time Black musician who remains a pioneering influence on the formation of bluegrass.
“The bluegrass pendulum swings left and right, to the progressive side and back to traditional,” said Hot Rize mandolinist Tim O’Brien. “When Hot Rize started, it was a good time to run down the middle.”
Formed in 1978, Hot Rize were trailblazers when it came to keeping one foot in the traditions of bluegrass, the other in the natural progression of musical creativity and sonic curiosity — the result being where we stand today with the names like Strings, Hull, Molly Tuttle, and Sierra Ferrell.
“Our hair was long and our tongues were in our cheeks,” O’Brien says. “But we fed on the tried and true ingredients [of bluegrass]. We were just jamming, but we hit enough of the right notes.”
Fiddle virtuosos Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland garnered a handful of honors for their astounding record Carter & Cleveland, including Song, Album and Collaborative Recording of the Year. Each time their names were called, Carter would help Cleveland, who is blind, up to the podium to receive the awards, grins of gratitude appearing ear-to-ear.
“Michael has been one of my best friends for many years. He was the best man at my wedding,” Carter says. “We have played a lot of music together and have been talking about doing this record for 15 years. Kind of a dream come true to get to play with one of the greatest fiddle players that’s ever drawn a bow.”
The culmination of the awards show came with a poignant rendition of the late Ralph Stanley’s “Little Birdy.” With a murderers’ row of talent overtaking the stage, Strings was front and center alongside Del McCoury, Hull, Brown, Martin, Justin Moses, Jim Lauderdale, Deanie Richardson, and more.
“Little birdie, little birdie/Won’t you sing to me your song,” Strings howled into the heavens. “Got a short time to stay here/And a long time to be gone.”
2025 IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards winners list:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Billy Strings
SONG OF THE YEAR
“Outrun the Rain” (Jason Carter & Michael Cleveland)
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Carter & Cleveland (Jason Carter & Michael Cleveland)
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Authentic Unlimited
INSTRUMENTAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
The Travelin’ McCourys
GOSPEL RECORDING OF THE YEAR
“He’s Gone” (Jaelee Roberts)
INSTRUMENTAL RECORDING OF THE YEAR
“Ralph’s Banjo Special” (Kristin Scott Benson, Gena Britt, Alison Brown)
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Red Camel Collective
COLLABORATIVE RECORDING OF THE YEAR
“Outrun the Rain” (Jason Carter, Michael Cleveland, Jaelee Roberts, Vince Gill)
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Greg Blake
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Alison Krauss
BANJO PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Kristin Scott Benson
BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Vickie Vaughn
FIDDLE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Maddie Denton
RESOPHONIC GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Justin Moses
GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Trey Hensley
MANDOLIN PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Sierra Hull
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
“The Auctioneer” (The Kody Norris Show)