Recipients Announced for 2025 IBMA Industry Awards

NASHVILLE, TN (September 18, 2025) – The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) announced the recipients of the 2025 IBMA Industry Awards presented by Benwood Foundation, recognizing outstanding work in non-performing industry categories. The Industry Awards were presented at a ceremony today at the Chattanooga Convention Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee; they are part of the 5-day IBMA World of Bluegrass®, in partnership with Chattanooga Tourism Co. and Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, which runs September 16-20, 2025. 

Recipients of the 2025 IBMA Industry Awards are:   

WRITER OF THE YEAR   
Dan Miller   

PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR   
Madison Thorn   

SOUND ENGINEER OF THE YEAR    
Stephen Mougin   

EVENT OF THE YEAR    
Earl Scruggs Music Festival 
Mill Spring, North Carolina   

BROADCASTER OF THE YEAR 
Daniel Mullins  
Real Roots Radio 
Walls of Time Bluegrass Podcast  
Front Porch Fellowship 
Xenia, Ohio   

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR   
Jon Weisberger    

GRAPHIC DESIGNER OF THE YEAR    
Gina Dilg    

LINER NOTES OF THE YEAR   
Earl Jam – Tony Trischka   
Written by Neil V. Rosenberg   

IBMA Industry Awards are given annually to industry professionals who are dedicated to furthering bluegrass music and its artists. Songwriters, broadcasters, writers, graphic designers, event promoters, and sound engineers who have been active during the eligibility period are invited to apply. Nominees do not have to be IBMA members. All submissions are reviewed by IBMA Executive-appointed Industry Awards Nominating Committees for each category. The leading candidates are recommended to the IBMA Panel of Electors, whose vote determines the award recipients. Category descriptions, awards eligibility and criteria can be found in the IBMA Awards Handbook, available online at ibma.org.