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IBMA Announces 2026 Bluegrass Music Awards Nominees, Hall of Fame Inductees and Distinguished Achievement Awardees
The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) unveiled the nominees for its 2026 Bluegrass Music Awards, the 2026 class of inductees into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame, and the recipients of this year’s Distinguished Achievement Awards during a live broadcast from SiriusXM’s Nashville studios on July 15, 2026.
Entertainer of the Year nominees include guitarist and singer‑songwriter Billy Strings, the band Alison Krauss & Union Station, the progressive group Sister Sadie, the Southern‑influenced ensemble East Nash Grass, and the veteran outfit The Del McCoury Band. Strings, who has earned three Grammy Awards for Best Bluegrass Album, and Krauss, a multiple‑Grammy winner and long‑time Hall of Fame member, are among the most prominent names in the field.
In addition to Entertainer of the Year, the IBMA announced nominees in the categories of Vocal Group, Instrumental Group, Song, Album, and New Artist of the Year. The full list of nominees and their associated works is available on the IBMA website.
The 2026 Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame inductees are the late fiddler Byron Berline, the Nashville Bluegrass Band, the late founder of Sugar Hill Records Barry Poss, and the collective The Lost & Found. Berline, who passed away in 2021, was celebrated for his multi‑instrumental talent and influence on the genre.
Recipients of the IBMA Distinguished Achievement Awards are Gallagher Guitars, fiddler Matt Glaser, journalist Derek Halsey, the family‑run group The Marshall Family, and music industry executive Gary Reid. These honors recognize contributions that have advanced bluegrass music beyond performance.
The winners of the 37th annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards will be announced on October 22 at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The ceremony is presented by Get It Played and serves as the culmination of the IBMA World of Bluegrass trade show, which runs from October 20 to 24 in the same city.
IBMA, founded in 1985, has long been the governing body for bluegrass music, with a membership of approximately 2,500 industry professionals who vote on award recipients. The organization’s awards are regarded as the most prestigious honors in the bluegrass community.
The announcement of nominees and honorees provides a snapshot of the current landscape of bluegrass music, highlighting both established artists and emerging talent. Fans and industry observers can anticipate the October ceremony for the final results and to celebrate the achievements of the genre’s leading figures.
The IBMA has made the complete list of nominees, Hall of Fame inductees, and Distinguished Achievement Award recipients available on its official website, allowing interested parties to review the full details ahead of the awards.
Entertainer of the Year nominees include guitarist and singer‑songwriter Billy Strings, the band Alison Krauss & Union Station, the progressive group Sister Sadie, the Southern‑influenced ensemble East Nash Grass, and the veteran outfit The Del McCoury Band. Strings, who has earned three Grammy Awards for Best Bluegrass Album, and Krauss, a multiple‑Grammy winner and long‑time Hall of Fame member, are among the most prominent names in the field.
In addition to Entertainer of the Year, the IBMA announced nominees in the categories of Vocal Group, Instrumental Group, Song, Album, and New Artist of the Year. The full list of nominees and their associated works is available on the IBMA website.
The 2026 Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame inductees are the late fiddler Byron Berline, the Nashville Bluegrass Band, the late founder of Sugar Hill Records Barry Poss, and the collective The Lost & Found. Berline, who passed away in 2021, was celebrated for his multi‑instrumental talent and influence on the genre.
Recipients of the IBMA Distinguished Achievement Awards are Gallagher Guitars, fiddler Matt Glaser, journalist Derek Halsey, the family‑run group The Marshall Family, and music industry executive Gary Reid. These honors recognize contributions that have advanced bluegrass music beyond performance.
The winners of the 37th annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards will be announced on October 22 at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The ceremony is presented by Get It Played and serves as the culmination of the IBMA World of Bluegrass trade show, which runs from October 20 to 24 in the same city.
IBMA, founded in 1985, has long been the governing body for bluegrass music, with a membership of approximately 2,500 industry professionals who vote on award recipients. The organization’s awards are regarded as the most prestigious honors in the bluegrass community.
The announcement of nominees and honorees provides a snapshot of the current landscape of bluegrass music, highlighting both established artists and emerging talent. Fans and industry observers can anticipate the October ceremony for the final results and to celebrate the achievements of the genre’s leading figures.
The IBMA has made the complete list of nominees, Hall of Fame inductees, and Distinguished Achievement Award recipients available on its official website, allowing interested parties to review the full details ahead of the awards.
