Appalachian Road Show, Dale Ann Bradley and Sierra Hull were also two-time winners. Appalachian Road Show took instrumental group of the year and new artist of the year. Bradley took female vocalist of the year for the sixth time and tied for gospel recording of the year. Sierra Hull took mandolin player of the year and was among the featured artists on the winner for collaborative recording of the year: Bobby Osborne‘s “White Line Fever.”
Other repeat winners in marquee categories included Sister Sadie, which won vocal group of the year for the third consecutive year; and Danny Paisley and Del McCoury, who tied for male vocalist of the year. This was Paisley’s second straight win in that category (and his third overall). It was McCoury’s fifth win in the category, but his first since 1996.
During the ceremony, singer/songwriter Alison Krauss, bandleader/banjoist Lynn Morris, and genre pioneers The Stoneman Family were recognized for their contributions. They were previously announced as inductees into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame.
Last year, Sister Sadie took home awards for both entertainer of the year and vocal group of the year.
Here’s the complete list of winners.
Entertainer of the year: Billy Strings
Vocal group of the year: Sister Sadie
Instrumental group of the year: Appalachian Road Show
Song of the year: “Richest Man,” Balsam Range (artist), Jim Beavers/Jimmy Yeary/Connie Harrington (songwriters), Balsam Range (producer), Mountain Home Records (label)
Album of the year: Industrial Strength Bluegrass: Southwestern Ohio’s Musical Legacy, Various Artists, Joe Mullins (producer), Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
Gospel recording of the year (tie): “After While,” Dale Ann Bradley; “In the Resurrection Morning,” Sacred Reunion featuring Doyle Lawson, Vince Gill, Barry Abernathy, Tim Stafford, Mark Wheeler, Jim VanCleve, Phil Leadbetter, Jason Moore
Instrumental recording of the year: “Ground Speed,” Kristin Scott Benson, Skip Cherryholmes, Jeremy Garrett, Kevin Kehrberg, Darren Nicholson
New artist of the year: Appalachian Road Show
Collaborative recording of the year: “White Line Fever,” Bobby Osborne with Tim O’Brien, Trey Hensley, Sierra Hull, Stuart Duncan, Todd Phillips, Alison Brown
Female vocalist of the year: Dale Ann Bradley
Male vocalist of the year (tie): Danny Paisley, Del McCoury
Banjo player of the year: Scott Vestal
Bass player of the year: Missy Raines
Resophonic guitar player of the year: Justin Moses
Fiddle player of the year: Bronwyn Keith-Hynes
Guitar player of the year: Billy Strings
Mandolin player of the year: Sierra Hull