IBMA Awards

The first round nominations for various categories of performance for the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) awards show,(to be held this fall, September 29 through October 5, 2008, in Nashville, Tennesee) are in the hands of the accountants (Riney Hancock and Co.)
From this first batch of candidaates, those receiving ten or more votes will be placed on the second round ballot list to be voted on and submitted to the accounting firm by July 31
The third round in September will have the top five vote getters in each catergory with the winners announced at the IBMA Awards show on October 2, 2008.
I'm hoping some of my picks will make it to the second round. For "Entertainer of the Year" one of my picks was Danny Paisley and The Southern Grass, others are: The Gibson Bros; The Grascals; Seldom Scene; Rhonda Vincent and the Rage. For vocal group of the year: Gibson Brothers; Seldom Scene; Jerry Salley; Claire Lynch and The Grascals. Male vocalist: Eric Gibson; Danny Paisley; Lou Reid; Steve Gulley; Terry Eldredge. Female vocalist: Rhonda Vincent; Dale Ann Bradley; Carrie Hassler; Amanda Smith and Claire Lynch. It's too bad that you're limited to five choices because there are so many talented people in bluegrass today, many not named here are on the same level as those mentioned. To continue on. Song of the year: Pickers Blues by Eric Gibson; The Day Lester Died by Claire Lynch; Alisons Band by Charlie Sizemore; Through The Window Of A Train by Blue Highway and Cabin Down Below by Eric and Leigh Gibson. This is only a partial list as there are other categories.
In about twenty days I'll have the pared down list of nominees to comment about.
Please continue to support your local bands, that's where it all started.