Billy Strings Named Entertainer of the Year at the 36th Annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards
NASHVILLE, TN (September 18, 2025) – Bluegrass innovator and superstar Billy Strings was named Entertainer of the Year at the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA)’s 36th Annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards presented by Get It Played. This is his fourth Entertainer of the Year award; his past wins came in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
Revered bluegrass virtuosos Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland’s “Outrun the Rain” picked up two awards, Song of the Year and Collaborative Recording of the Year. The song is from their 2025 Carter & Cleveland album, which won Album of the Year.
The IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards Show, co-hosted by Steve Martin and Alison Brown, was held at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
The full list of 2025 IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards recipients:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Billy Strings
SONG OF THE YEAR
Outrun the Rain – Jason Carter & Michael Cleveland
Songwriters: Terry Herd/Jimmy Yeary
Producers: Jason Carter/Michael Cleveland
Label: Fiddle Man Records
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Carter & Cleveland – Jason Carter & Michael Cleveland
Producers: Jason Carter/Michael Cleveland
Label: Fiddle Man Records
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Authentic Unlimited
INSTRUMENTAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
The Travelin’ McCourys
GOSPEL RECORDING OF THE YEAR
He’s Gone – Jaelee Roberts
Songwriter: Kelsi Harrigill
Producer: Byron House
Label: Mountain Home Music Company
INSTRUMENTAL RECORDING OF THE YEAR
Ralph’s Banjo Special – Kristin Scott Benson, Gena Britt & Alison Brown
Songwriter: Ralph Stanley
Producer: Alison Brown
Label: Compass Records
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Red Camel Collective
COLLABORATIVE RECORDING OF THE YEAR
Outrun the Rain – Jason Carter, Michael Cleveland, Jaelee Roberts & Vince Gill
Songwriters: Terry Herd/Jimmy Yeary
Producers: Jason Carter/Michael Cleveland
Label: Fiddle Man Records
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Greg Blake
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Alison Krauss
BANJO PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Kristin Scott Benson
BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Vickie Vaughn
FIDDLE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Maddie Denton
RESOPHONIC GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Justin Moses
GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Trey Hensley
MANDOLIN PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Sierra Hull
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
The Auctioneer – The Kody Norris Show
Songwriters: Leroy Van Dyke/Buddy Black
Producer: James Gilley
Videographer: Nate Wiles
Label: Rebel Records
During the Awards Show, the 2025 inductees into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame were honored: pioneering bluegrass band Hot Rize, The Bluegrass Cardinals, celebrated for its flawless harmonies, virtuoso playing, and original material, and influential African American musician Arnold Shultz, whose influence shaped the development of bluegrass music.
Awards are determined by the professional membership of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), the nonprofit trade organization that connects and empowers bluegrass professionals.
IBMA World of Bluegrass®, in partnership with Chattanooga Tourism Co. and Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, runs September 16-20, 2025. The week, the most important in bluegrass music, encompasses four events: the IBMA Business Conference, Sept. 16-18 at the Chattanooga Convention Center; the IBMA Bluegrass Ramble, an innovative series of showcases taking place Sept. 16-18 in local Chattanooga venues; the 36th Annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards, scheduled for Thursday evening, Sept. 18; and IBMA Bluegrass Live!®, Sept. 19-20, a two-day festival of live performances and fan experiences