Steve Martin, Alison Brown, East Nash Grass Among 2025 IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards Performers

The 2025 IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards have revealed a stacked lineup of performers for the annual awards show.

Cohosts Steve Martin and Alison Brown will perform, as will The Del McCoury Band, East Nash Grass, Appalachian Road Show, Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland, Della Mae with special guests Wyatt Ellis, Rainy Miatke, Kristin Scott Benson, Gena Britt and more.

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Appalachian Road Show, East Nash Grass and The Del McCoury Band are each nominated for the coveted entertainer of the year accolade this year at the IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards. Brown, Martin and Tim’ O’Brien are up for song of the year, collaborative recording of the year and music video of the year for “5 Days Out, 2 Days Back.” Ellis is up for new artist of the year, while Benson, Britt and Brown are up for collaborative recording of the year for a version of “Ralph’s Banjo Special.” Benson, Britt and Brown are each also nominated for banjo player of the year.

Appalachian Road Show is also up for music video of the year (“Gallows Pole”), while East Nash Grass is also up for instrumental group of the year.

Carter and Cleveland are up for song of the year (“Outrun the Rain”), album of the year (Carter & Cleveland), twice for instrumental recording of the year (“Bluegrass in the Backwoods” and “Kern County Breakdown”) and collaborative recording of the year (“Outrun the Rain” with Jaelee Roberts and Vince Gill). Cleveland is up for fiddle player of the year, while Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper are up for instrumental group of the year. Carter is up for new artist of the year and fiddle player of the year.

The 2025 IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards, presented by Get It Played, are set for Sept. 18 at 7:30 p.m. ET at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Tickets for the show are available at Ticketmaster, while the show will also be livestreamed on volume.com.

“Everyone is excited to be hosting the IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards in Chattanooga!” Jill Snider, executive producer of the awards show, said in a statement. “Our host announcement of Steve Martin and Alison Brown has generated a lot of buzz for the show, and they will be featured in two performances along with their hosting duties. Three of our entertainer of the year nominees will perform: The Del McCoury Band, East Nash Grass and Appalachian Road Show.”

New Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame inductees Hot Rize and The Bluegrass Cardinals will perform, while Dom Flemons will perform in honor of Arnold Shultz.

Snider also added, “This show always has unique collaborations and special performances. One highlight will be the Della Mae performance, which is part of the 100-year tribute to Hazel Dickens that has had a limited run across venues and festivals this year. There will be some surprises for our attendees, and collaborations that fans will not be able to see on any other stage.” 
 
The 2025 IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards takes place as part of the annual IBMA World of Bluegrass, in partnership with Chattanooga Tourism Co. and Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. IBMA World of Bluegrass runs from Sept. 16 to 20, and also includes the IBMA Business Conference (set for Sept. 16-18 at the Chattanooga Convention Center), as well as the IBMA Bluegrass Ramble showcases (Sept. 16-18 at various venues across Chattanooga), IBMA Bluegrass Live! (a two-day festival set for Sept. 19-20).

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