SPBGMA Presents Bluegrass Music Awards

The Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America (SPBGMA) presented its 41st Annual Bluegrass Music Awards on February 8, 2015 at the Sheraton Music City Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. Winners in 23 categories were honored during an awards show that capped the nonprofit organization’s 32nd national convention.

Rhonda Vincent, the reigning and multi-time SPBGMA Entertainer of the Year, again won that coveted honor and also was named Female Vocalist of the Year (Contemporary). Vincent and her band, The Rage, also were named Bluegrass Band of the Year (Overall), while band members Hunter Berry and Josh Williams were named Fiddle and Guitar Player of the Year, respectively – Williams for the 10th time. Vincent was inducted into SPBGMA’s Hall of Greats last year. Her 2014 release, Only Me, debuted at #1 on the Billboard Bluegrass Chart and sported the top two singles on the National Bluegrass Survey chart in Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine.

“It’s an incredible moment in time for us,” said Vincent. “The past few weeks have been a whirlwind, and it doesn’t appear to be slowing down any time soon. We are so thankful for the support of our music; the promoters and venues [that] host our shows, and our friends who join us at the shows. We couldn’t do it without you. We appreciate each and every award.”

Pull Your Savior In by Larry Stephenson Band (Whysper Dream Music) was named Bluegrass Album of the Year, while “That’s Kentucky” by Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road (Pinecastle Records) took Song of the Year honors and Jordan was named Female Vocalist of the Year (Traditional). Pinecastle label-mates The Farm Hands were named Entertaining Group of the Year, while the quartet’s Tim Graves was named Dobro Performer of the Year for the 10th time. Graves also was inducted into SPBGMA’s Preservation Hall of Greats.

A complete list of SPBGMA award winners follows:

1. Bluegrass Promoter of the Year: Bertie Sullivan

2. Bluegrass Radio Station of the Year: Sirius XM 061, Nashville, TN

3. Bluegrass DJ of the Year: Kyle Cantrell – Sirius XM 061, Nashville, TN

4. Bluegrass Songwriter of the Year: Tom T. Hall & Dixie Hall

5. Bluegrass Album of the Year: Pull Your Savior In – by Larry Stephenson Band on Whysper Dream Music

6. Bass Performer of the Year: Butch Cooksey

7. Dobro Performer of the Year: Tim Graves

8. Guitar Performer of the Year: Tim Stafford

9. Mandolin Performer of the Year: Danny Roberts

10. Banjo Performer of the Year: Ben Greene

11. Fiddle Performer of the Year: Hunter Berry

12. Female Vocalist of the Year (Contemporary): Rhonda Vincent

13. Female Vocalist of the Year (Traditional): Lorraine Jordan

14. Male Vocalist of the Year (Contemporary): Russell Moore

15. Male Vocalist of the Year (Traditional): Marty Raybon

16. Gospel Group of the Year (Contemporary): The Gibson Brothers

17. Gospel Group of the Year (Traditional): The Farm Hands

18. Bluegrass Band of the Year (Overall): Rhonda Vincent & The Rage

19. Vocal Group of the Year: The Gibson Brothers

20. Instrumental Group of the Year: The Grascals

21. Entertaining Group of the Year: The Farm Hands

22. Entertainer of the Year: Rhonda Vincent

23. Song of the Year: “That’s Kentucky” – by Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road for Pinecastle Records