Photo Credit: Ed Rode

The biggest night in bluegrass, IBMA’s Bluegrass Music Awards, has resulted in Billy Strings’ fourth title as Entertainer of the Year. The coveted status resumes the musician’s previous three-peat reign, tied to wins in 2021, 2022, and 2023. The ceremony took place last night at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium in Chattanooga, Tenn., led by co-hosts and musical partners Steve Martin and Alison Brown. 

The evening reserved special moments for selected entertainers, who were awarded for their achievements in the field. Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland received double honors for their track, “Outrun the Rain,” Song of the Year and Collaborative Recording of the Year. The song appeared on their joint release, Carter & Cleveland, which also won Album of the Year. 

Other awards centered on groups like The Travelin’ McCourys, who took home the Instrumental Group of the Year award. Also honored, Alison Krauss received Female Vocalist of the Year, and Sierra Hull was deemed Mandolin Player of the Year. Greg Blake accepted the Male Vocalist of the Year. While instrumentalists like Kristin Scott Benson obtained Banjo Player of the Year, Vickie Vaugh received Bass Player of the Year, and Maddie Denton picked up Fiddle Player of the Year. 

The night also spotlighted pioneer bluegrass greats Hot Rize for their decades-long contributions to the scene, as well as The Bluegrass Cardinals and Arnold Shultz. The three acts were inducted into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame, thereby cementing their legacies for future generations.

Scroll down for a list of awards and winners from IBMA’s 2025 Bluegrass Music Awards. 

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