The Grascals win key IBMA honor again

Big winners were Tony Trischka and The Infamous Stringdusters, who both captured three awards.

"This is even sweeter the second time around, if that's possible," said Grascals vocalist and guitarist Jamie Johnson. "We're out here doing what we love every day. Thank you all very much."

Johnson also acknowledged each of the other nominees in the category - Cherryholmes, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, The Del McCoury Band and Rhonda Vincent & The Rage. Sonny Osborne presented the Entertainer of the Year award.

"We wouldn't be doing what we do if it weren't for the Osborne Brothers," said Johnson. Other winners were Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver for vocal group for the seventh time and Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper featuring Audie Blaylock for Instrumental Group;

Newcomer Bradley Walker, who released his debut on Rounder earlier this year, took home male vocalist, while veteran Dale Ann Bradley was female vocalist. It was the first time either had won the award.

Song of the year went to "Fork in the Road" by The Infamous Stringdusters (artists), Chris Jones and John Pennell (songwriters).

Album of the year produced a tie between "Lefty's Old Guitar" by J.D. Crowe & The New South and "Fork in the Road." Both bands produced their albums with Tim Stafford helping out the Stringdusters.

The Stringdusters also won emerging artist of the year award.

Recorded event of the year was "Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular"; Tony Trischka with Earl Scruggs, Kenny Ingram, Tom Adams, Bela Fleck, Noam Pikelny, Alison Brown, Scott Vestal, Steve Martin & Bill Emerson (artists); Rounder Records; Trischka, Fleck and Ronnie Freeland (producers).

"Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular" also was instrumental album of the year. Producers Fleck and Freeland also share the award.

"He Lives In Me," Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (artists), Horizon, Lawson (producer) took the gospel recorded performance award for the sixth time.

Musician awards went to Trischka on banjo; Missy Raines on bass, her seventh time; Cleveland on fiddle, his fifth; Rob Ickes on Dobro; Tony Rice on guitar, his sixth; and Sam Bush on mandolin. This was Bush's fourth time being honored, but first since 1993. Ickes became the all-time most awarded musician in taking the award for the ninth time.

The Distinguished Achievement Award Recipients" were Mike Auldridge, "The Bluegrass Breakdown," Marko Cermak, Warren Hellman and Happy and Jane Traum.

Bluegrass broadcaster went to Chris Jones on Sirius Satellite.

John Lawless and Brance Gillihan of "The Bluegrass Blog" won print media person of the year.

Best liner notes went to Barry Poss and Joy Orr for "Sugar Hill Records, A Retrospective"; Various Artists; Sugar Hill. Poss started the label before selling it.

Best graphic design went to Don Bailey for "Hillbilly Hemingway" by the Mark Newton Band on Rebel.

Bluegrass event went to the 33rd Festival of the Bluegrass in Lexington, Ky. in June 2006.

Bluegrass hall of fame inductees were Carl Story and Howard Watts (Cedric Rainwater). Watts' career as a bass player was highlighted with his role in what many refer to as the "original bluegrass band," the mid-1940's version of Bill Monroe & his Blue Grass Boys. Story was honored for his contributions as the "Father of Bluegrass Gospel Music."