2026 IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The 2026 IBMA Awards Handbook
The 37th annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards of the International Bluegrass Music Association were presented on October 22, 2026 at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium in Chattanooga, Tennessee, during IBMA World of Bluegrass (October 20–24). The hosts were Sam Bush and Sierra Hull.IBMA press release, October 23, 2026
Note: the eligibility period was from April 1, 2025 to March 1, 2026. Thus, before you ask: Cory Walker's little brother's record was not eligible, and will be eligible next year.
Winners
| Award | Winner | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Entertainer of the Year | Billy Strings | |
| Vocal Group of the Year | Authentic Unlimited | |
| Instrumental Group of the Year | East Nash Grass | |
| Song of the Year | "Can't Outrun the Blues" – Trey Hensley | Songwriters: Trey Hensley, Bobby Starnes. Producer: Brent Maher. Label: Pinecastle Records |
| Album of the Year | All God's Children – East Nash Grass | Producers: Jake Stargel, East Nash Grass. Label: Mountain Fever Records |
| Gospel Recording of the Year | "Some Day" – Blue Highway | Songwriters: Olive Stockton, Tim Stafford. Producers: Blue Highway, Dan Boner. Label: Down the Road Records (Bluegrass Today gives Rounder Records) |
| Instrumental Recording of the Year | "Big Daddy Rabbit" – Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper (feat. Nathan Livers) | Songwriter: Nathan Livers. Producer: Michael Cleveland. Label: Yeah, Man Records |
| New Artist of the Year | Mason Via | |
| Collaborative Recording of the Year | "Broken Angels" – The Grascals and Dolly Parton | Songwriters: Dolly Parton, Jamie Johnson. Producer: Kent Wells. Label: Billy Blue Records |
| Male Vocalist of the Year | Greg Blake | |
| Female Vocalist of the Year | Jaelee Roberts | |
| Banjo Player of the Year | Kristin Scott Benson | |
| Bass Player of the Year | Mike Bub | |
| Fiddle Player of the Year | Andy Leftwich | |
| Resophonic Guitar Player of the Year | Justin Moses | |
| Guitar Player of the Year | Cody Kilby | |
| Mandolin Player of the Year | Sierra Hull | |
| Music Video of the Year | "The Devil Went Down to Deep Gap" – Bryan Sutton with Billy Strings | Animators: Pat Bradley, SpringShoe Animation. Producer: Bryan Sutton. Songwriters: John Thomas Crain, Charles Edward Daniels, William Joel DiGregorio, Fred Laroy Edwards, Charles Fred Hayward, James W Marshall |
Momentum Awards
The 2026 IBMA Momentum Awards were presented on the afternoon of October 21, 2026 at the Chattanooga Convention Center. The MC was Bronwyn.2026 IBMA Momentum Award winners, Bluegrass Today, Sandy Hatley, October 21, 2026
- Band of the Year: The Creekers
- Industry Involvement: Helen Lude
- Instrumentalists of the Year: Jean-Baptiste Cardineau (mandolin) and Luciya Sullivan (banjo)
- Vocalist of the Year: Lydia Hamby
- Mentor of the Year: Pammy Davis Lassiter
Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame inductees
Performers
Sister Sadie, The Del McCoury Band, The Grascals, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, Sierra Hull, a Sam Bush all-star band, and Patty Loveless with Sister Sadie, Stuart Duncan and Justin Moses.Bluegrass Today, John Lawless, October 22, 2026