Billy Strings, East Nash Grass Lead IBMA Awards

Billy Strings won Entertainer of the Year for the fifth time at the 37th annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards in Chattanooga, while East Nash Grass earned Album of the Year for All God’s Children and Instrumental Group of the Year. Trey Hensley won Song of the Year for “Can’t Outrun the Blues,” and co-host Sierra Hull received her eighth Mandolin Player of the Year award; other winners included Authentic Unlimited as Vocal Group of the Year and Mason Via as New Artist of the Year. The Nashville Bluegrass Band, The Lost & Found, Sugar Hill Records co-founder Barry Poss and Byron Berline were inducted into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame. At a separate IBMA conference luncheon, Michelle Lee was named Broadcaster of the Year, and Alison Brown and Steve Martin won Liner Notes of the Year.