The Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America (SPBGMA) presented its 40th Annual Bluegrass Music Awards on February 2, 2014 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 national convention.
Rhonda Vincent, the reigning and multi-time SPBGMA Entertainer of the Year, again won that coveted honor, and also was inducted into the organization’s Hall of Greats. Vincent and her band, The Rage, also were named Instrumental Group of the Year, while band members Josh Williams and Mickey Harris were named Guitar Player of the Year and Bass Player of the Year, respectively.
“This was one of the greatest evenings of my career, from the induction into the Hall of Greats [to] Entertainer of the Year, and I’m so proud of all the men of The Rage for being honored for their incredible talents,” said Vincent. “We travel 250 days out of the year, living our dream, playing the music we love, and this night was a great reward for all our hard work. We are very thankful for all the honors.”The Gibson Brothers’ “They Called It Music,” written by Eric Gibson and Joe Newberry, took Song of the Year honors just as it did in the 2013 International Bluegrass Music Awards last September. The Gibson Brothers, who hail from upstate New York, also are the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA)’s reigning Entertainers and Vocal Group of the Year.
Dailey & Vincent (featuring Rhonda’s brother Darrin) were honored as Vocal Group of the Year and Gospel Group of the Year (Contemporary), while Jamie Dailey was again named Male Vocalist of the Year (Contemporary). – adding to the bevy of awards the duo has received
since releasing its debut album in 2008 after apprenticing for years under Doyle Lawson and Ricky Skaggs, respectively.
Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice was feted as Bluegrass Band of the Year, while Nothin’ Fancy was named Entertaining Group of the Year.
A complete list of SPBGMA award winners follows:
Entertainer of the Year: Rhonda Vincent
Entertaining Group of the Year: Nothin’ Fancy
Album of the Year: In a Country Town – Farm Hands Quartet (Farm Country Music)
Song of the Year: “They Called It Music” – The Gibson Brothers (Compass Records)
Bluegrass Band of the Year: (Overall) Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice
Female Vocalist (Contemporary) of the Year: Sonya Isaacs
Female Vocalist (Traditional) of the Year: Dale Ann Bradley
Male Vocalist (Contemporary) of the Year: Jamie Dailey
Male Vocalist (Traditional) of the Year: James King
Vocal Group of the Year: Dailey & Vincent
Instrumental Group of the Year: Rhonda Vincent & The Rage
Gospel Group (Contemporary) of the Year: Dailey & Vincent
Gospel Group (Traditional) of the Year: Paul Williams & the Victory Trio
Songwriter of the Year: Tom T. and Dixie Hall
Top Instrumental Performers: Mickey Harris (bass fiddle), Tim Graves (dobro), Josh Williams (guitar), Danny Roberts (mandolin), Sammy Shelor (banjo), Michael Cleveland (fiddle)
Promoter of the Year: Bertie Sullivan
Radio Station of the Year: Sirius XM 061, Nashville, TN.
DJ of the Year: Kyle Cantrell – Sirius XM 061, Nashville, TN
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