The South Carolina native grew up listening to musical heroes like John Anderson and bluegrass great Ralph Stanley, and, when a college professor back home suggested he check out Nashville’s Belmont University, he transferred to Music City and got his degree.

Signing with MCA Records after graduation, he immediately struck a chord with listeners with the gospel-infused single/title track of his debut album, Long Black Train. That “Train” quickly took Turner straight into platinum territory, and the follow up to that album, Your Man, debuted at the top of Billboard’s Country Albums chart and yielded two back-to-back, multi-week, No. 1 singles: “Would You Go With Me” and “Your Man.”

The phenomenal success of that double-platinum album helped him become one of the Top 5 best-selling country artists of last year, and earned him a Top New Artist nod from the Academy of Country Music and a CMA nomination for Male Vocalist of the Year for 2007. In keeping with his country-as-cornbread roots, Turner recently released a special album of country standards through the Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores label, which was lauded by critics and fans alike.

Turner is currently gearing up for the release of his third CD, the aptly titled, Everything Is Fine, set for October 30 release. The album has already produced Turner’s fastest-rising single to date, “Firecracker,” and includes seven songs written or co-written by him. Writers Pat McLaughlin, Shawn Camp, Chris Stapleton, Jeremy Spillman, Anthony Hamilton, and others all contribute to the highly anticipated project, as well as Trisha Yearwood, who sings with Turner on the soaring ballad “Another Try.”

Turner is scheduled to appear on the upcoming CMA Awards broadcast in November, but he experienced one of the biggest moments of a country artist’s career on October 27, when, at 29, he becomes one of the youngest singers ever to become a member of the esteemed Grand Ole Opry. He’ll no doubt perform “Long Black Train” during the induction ceremony, since that historic stage is where he first debuted that song five years ago and received a standing ovation — undoubtedly the first of many in what will likely be a long and distinguished career.

Sam Bush (right) fields questions from GAC Edge of Country host Kylie Harris (left).

Fresh-faced newcomers the Infamous Stringdusters took home three awards including Song and Emerging Artist of the Year; the ‘dusters shared bragging rights with J.D. Crowe & New South, whose project Lefty’s Old Guitar tied the Infamous String Dusters’ Fork in the Road for Album of the Year.

Host and Mandolin Player of the Year Sam Bush pauses for a photo. Pictured are (l to r): BMI’s Mark Mason and Jody Williams, Sam Bush, manager Tim McFadden and BMI’s Bradley Collins.

Tony Trischka’s Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular took home two awards for both Recorded Event and Instrumental Album of the Year. The project featured contributions from legend Earl Scruggs, along with BMI affiliates Kenny Ingram, Tom Adams, Bela Fleck, Noam Pikelny, Alison Brown, Scott Vestal, Steve Martin and Bill Emerson. Trischka, who co-produced the album, also scored a win in the Instrumental Players of the Year category for the banjo.

GAC’s Kylie Harris (left) and award-winning singer/songwriter Ronnie Bowman (right) finish their interview.

BMI bluegrass luminaries Doyle Lawson & Quick Silver celebrated their seventh Vocal Group win and sixth Gospel Performance of the Year honor. Fellow BMI affiliate Rob Ickes took home his ninth Dobro Player of the Year award, officially making Ickes the most-awarded musician among all IBMA Instrumental Performer categories.

BMI’s Mark Mason (left) and Jody Williams (right) flank bluegrass luminary Del McCoury (center).

Dale Ann Bradley secured a Female Vocalist of the Year award. A favorite amongst fellow artists and fans, Bradley’s voice prompted Alison Krauss to praise her as “one of the most gifted vocalists bluegrass and country music has ever heard.”

Ronnie Bowman penned “Never Wanted Nothing More” – a recent chart topper for Kenny Chesney. Pictured are (l to r): BMI’s Jody Williams, Ronnie Bowman, Ronnie’s wife and harmony vocalist Garnet Imes Bowman and BMI’s Bradley Collins.

Instrumental Players of the Year also included bassist Missy Raines, fiddler Michael Cleveland and guitarist Tony Rice; Cleveland, along with his band Flamekeeper featuring Audie Blaylock, also earned Instrumental Group of the Year honors.

BMI’s Jody Williams (right) chats with the Tennessean’s Peter Cooper (left).

Sirius Satellite Radio’s beloved DJ Chris Jones snagged the Bluegrass Broadcaster of the Year award.

Pictured are (l to r): BMI’s Jody Williams, with Sirius Satellite Radio DJ and songwriter Chris Jones.

The Bluegrass Hall of Fame inducted the late Carl Story this year. Affectionately dubbed the “Father of Bluegrass Gospel Music,” Story pioneered the genre alongside bluegrass royalty like Bill Monroe and Ralph Stanley.

Pictured are (l to r): BMI’s Bradley Collins and Mark Mason, multi-instrumentalist Rob Ickes and BMI’s Jody Williams.

Guitar stylist Mike Auldridge and Homespun Tapes’ Happy Traum will both receive Distinguished Achievement Awards. IBMA's Distinguished Achievement Award, an honor which recognizes individuals in the bluegrass music industry who have fostered the music's image with developments that broaden the genre's recognition and accessibility.

Pictured are (l to r): BMI’s Mark Mason, IBMA Executive Director Dan Hays and BMI’s Bradley Collins.

2007 BMI IBMA Award Winners

BLUEGRASS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
Carl Story

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver

INSTRUMENTAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper featuring Audie Blaylock

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Dale Ann Bradley

SONG OF THE YEAR
"Fork In The Road," The Infamous Stringdusters (artists), Chris Jones & John Pennell (songwriters)

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Lefty's Old Guitar, J.D. Crowe & The New South (artists), Rounder Records, J.D. Crowe & The New South (producers);
and Fork In The Road, The Infamous Stringdusters (artists), Sugar Hill Records, Tim Stafford & The Infamous Stringdusters (producers)

RECORDED EVENT OF THE YEAR
Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular; Tony Trischka with Earl Scruggs, Kenny Ingram, Tom Adams, Bela Fleck, Noam Pikelny, Alison Brown, Scott Vestal, Steve Martin & Bill Emerson (artists); Rounder Records; Tony Trischka, Bela Fleck (producers)

INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular; Tony Trischka (artist); Rounder Records; Tony Trischka, Bela Fleck & Ronnie Freeland (producers)

GOSPEL RECORDED PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
"He Lives In Me," Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (artists), Horizon, Doyle Lawson (producer)

EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR
The Infamous Stringdusters

INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMERS OF THE YEAR
BANJO: Tony Trischka;
BASS: Missy Raines;
FIDDLE: Michael Cleveland;
DOBRO Rob Ickes;
GUITAR: Tony Rice;
MANDOLIN: Sam Bush

DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Mike Auldridge
Happy Traum

BLUEGRASS BROADCASTER OF THE YEAR
Chris Jones, Sirius Satellite Radio

Rhonda Vincent

Rhonda Vincent & the Rage secured an impressive 11 individual IBMA award nominations, including nods for Entertainer, Vocal Group, Female Vocalist, Song of the Year for "All American Bluegrass Girl" and Album of the Year for the project by the same name.  Band member Hunter Berry received a nomination for Fiddle Player of the Year; and his solo debut Wow Baby is nominated for both Instrumental Album of the Year and Recorded Event of the Year.  Mickey Harris was nominated for Bass Player of the Year, and both Vincent and Kenny Ingram are in the running for Recorded Event of the Year for their work on New Songs, Old Friends and BMI affiliate Tony Trischka's Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular, respectively. 

Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver

Six-time recipients of IBMA's Vocal Group of the Year, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver are nominated for this award again, along with Entertainer of the Year, Song of the Year for "Sadie's Got Her New Dress On" written by BMI songwriter Connie Leigh, Album of the Year for More Behind the Picture than the Wall, two nominations for Gospel Recorded Event (for songs "We Shall Inherit" and "He Lives in Me") and Mandolin Player of the Year (Lawson). Guitarist/vocalist Jamie Dailey and Lawson will vie separately for Recorded Event of the Year, for their contributions to New Songs, Old Friends and Hunter Berry's Wow Baby respectively--bringing the band's collective tally to nine nominations.

Alison Krauss & Union Station

Longtime BMI affiliates Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas and The Del McCoury Band each received seven nominations.

The Del McCoury Band

In addition to Entertainer, Instrumental Group and Gospel Recorded Event of the Year, individual members of The Del McCoury Band earned nods for Mandolin Performer (Ronnie McCoury) and Recorded Event of the Year. The McCoury Music label also garnered an Album of the Year nomination for legendary artist Larry Sparks' new project, The Last Suit You Wear, co-produced by Sparks.

Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas picked up nominations for Entertainer, Vocal Group, Female Vocalist and Instrumental Group of the Year.  The prolific Jerry Douglas is nominated for Dobro Player of the Year, and vocalist/guitarist Dan Tyminski was also included in the Recorded Event of the Year category for his contributions to Wow Baby.

Kentucky Thunder is nominated for Instrumental Group of the Year--an award they have taken home eight times since 1998, while their album Instrumentals is up for Instrumental Recording of the Year.  Band member Darrin Vincent earned two individual nods: he contributed to Recorded Event of the Year nominee Wow Baby and produced Album of the Year contender All American Bluegrass Girl.  Smilin' Jim Mills received a nod for Banjo Performer of the Year - an award he has walked away with six times since 1999.

Additional nominees include Ronnie Bowman for Male Vocalist of the Year; The Infamous Stringdusters for Song, Album and Emerging Artist of the Year; Tony Trischka for the year's top Recorded Event, Instrumental Album and Banjo Player; Russell Moore for Male Vocalist of the Year; J.D. Crowe & The New South for Album and Song of the Year; fiddler extraordinaire Michael Cleveland & his band Flamekeeper for Instrumental Group honors; Blue Highway and The Isaacs for Vocal Group of the Year; Jim VanCleve for Instrumental Album and Fiddle Player of the year; Mark Johnson & Emory Lester for Instrumental Album of the Year; newcomers Cadillac Sky for Emerging Artist honors; Cia Cherryholmes for top Banjo picker and Mickey Harris for Bass Performer of the Year.

The late Carl Story will enter the Bluegrass Hall of Fame this year. Affectionately dubbed the "Father of Bluegrass Gospel Music," Story pioneered the genre alongside bluegrass royalty like Bill Monroe and Ralph Stanley.

Guitar stylist Mike Auldridge and Homespun Tapes' Happy Traum will both receive Distinguished Achievement Awards. IBMA's Distinguished Achievement Award, an honor which recognizes individuals in the bluegrass music industry who have fostered the music's image with developments that broaden the genre's recognition and accessibility.

Hosted by Sam Bush, the 2007 IBMA Awards will take place during World of Bluegrass week, slated for October 1-7 in Nashville. Tickets for the IBMA award ceremony are available through the Grand Ole Opry House box office (1-800-733-6779) and all Ticketmaster outlets. The show will also be broadcast live on XM Satellite Radio's "Bluegrass Junction" Channel 14. For more information, please visit www.ibma.org.

2007 BMI IBMA Nominees

Bluegrass Hall of Fame Inductee

Carl Story

Distinguished Achievement Award Recipients

Mike Auldridge

Happy Traum

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

Cherryholmes

Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas

Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver

The Del McCoury Band

Rhonda Vincent & the Rage

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR

Blue Highway

The Isaacs

Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas

Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver

Rhonda Vincent & The Rage

INSTRUMENTAL GROUP OF THE YEAR

Blue Highway

Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper

Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas

The Del McCoury Band

Paul Brewster and Darrin Vincent of Kentucky Thunder

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Ronnie Bowman

Russell Moore

Larry Sparks

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Dale Ann Bradley

Sonya Isaacs

Alison Krauss

Claire Lynch

Rhonda Vincent

SONG OF THE YEAR

Song Title, Artist(s), Songwriter(s)

"All American Bluegrass Girl"

Rhonda Vincent (artist & songwriter)

"Fork In The Road"

The Infamous Stringdusters (artists),

Co-written by Chris Jones & John Pennell

"Lefty's Old Guitar"

J.D. Crowe & The New South (artists)

Co-written by Dave Maggard & Jack Spencer

"Sadie's Got Her New Dress On"

Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (artists)

Written by Connie Leigh

"The Last Suit You Wear"

Larry Sparks (artist)

Co-written by Larry Shell & Larry Williams

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

All American Bluegrass Girl

Rhonda Vincent (artist)

Produced by Darrin Vincent & Rhonda Vincent

Fork In The Road

The Infamous Stringdusters (artists)

Produced by Tim Stafford & The Infamous Stringdusters

Lefty's Old Guitar

J.D. Crowe & The New South (artists)

Produced by J.D. Crowe & The New South

More Behind The Picture Than The Wall

Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (artists)

Produced by Doyle Lawson

The Last Suit You Wear

Larry Sparks (artist)

Produced by Larry Sparks

RECORDED EVENT OF THE YEAR

Vassar Clements, Tony Rice & The Low Country All Star Band

Featuring Tony Rice & The Low Country All-Star Band (artists)

Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular

Tony Trischka with Earl Scruggs, Kenny Ingram, Tom Adams, Bela Fleck, Noam Pikelny, Alison Brown, Scott Vestal, Steve Martin & Bill Emerson (artists)

Produced by Tony Trischka & Bela Fleck

New Songs, Old Friends

Featuring Vince Gill, Doyle Lawson, Oak Ridge Boys, Rob Ickes, Del McCoury, Sonya Isaacs, Rhonda Vincent, Stuart Duncan, Larry Cordle, Keith Sewell, Ben Isaacs (artists)

Wow Baby

Hunter Berry with Tony Rice, Doyle Lawson, Dan Tyminski, Marty Stuart, Bobby Osborne, Sonya Isaacs, Rhonda Vincent, Buddy Spicher, Ronnie Stewart, Darrin Vincent, Bob Moore (artists);

Produced by Darrin Vincent

INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Acoustic Rising

Mark Johnson & Emory Lester (artists)

Produced by Mark Johnson & Emory Lester

Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular

Tony Trischka (artist)

Produced by Tony Trischka & Bela Fleck

No Apologies

Jim VanCleve (artist),

Rural Rhythm Records

Produced by Jim VanCleve

Wow Baby

Hunter Berry (artist),

Produced by Darrin Vincent

GOSPEL RECORDED PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR

"He Lives In Me"

Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (artists)

Produced by Doyle Lawson

"The Promised Land"

The Del McCoury Band (artist)

Produced by Del McCoury & Ronnie McCoury

"We Shall Inherit"

Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (artists)

Produced by Doyle Lawson

EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Cadillac Sky

Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper

The Infamous Stringdusters

Williams & Clark Expedition

INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMERS OF THE YEAR

BANJO

Cia Cherryholmes

J.D. Crowe

Jim Mills

Tony Trischka

BASS

Mickey Harris

Missy Raines

Marshall Wilborn

FIDDLE

Hunter Berry

Michael Cleveland

Stuart Duncan

Ron Stewart

DOBRO

Mike Auldridge

Jerry Douglas

Rob Ickes

Randy Kohrs

GUITAR

Jim Hurst

Tony Rice

Larry Sparks

MANDOLIN

Sam Bush

Doyle Lawson

Ronnie McCoury

Country music sensation and last year’s Top New Female Vocalist Carrie Underwood carried her streak of success into 2007, bagging five nominations, including Top Female Vocalist, Album and Single of the Year.

2006’s top selling country artists Rascal Flatts are up for Entertainer, Top Vocal Group, Album and Single of the Year. Big & Rich scored a total of four nominations in recognition of their diverse work as songwriters, artists and collaborators.

Old friends and country mainstays Tony Brown and Vince Gill each secured three nominations. Gill’s now platinum These Days earned an Album of the Year nod, while Brown’s production work on the last albums by George Strait and Brooks & Dunn turned Academy heads in his direction.

Singer/songwriter Miranda Lambert autonomously bridges the gap between newbees and veterans, snagging nominations in both Top New Female Vocalist and Top Female Vocalist of the Year categories. Jason Aldean earned two nods as well for his hit “Amarillo Sky.” Little Big Town, The Wreckers and Rodney Atkins also landed two nominations each.

The Academy of Country Music Awards will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Tuesday, May 15, 2007 at 8 p.m. ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.

BMI's 2007 ACM Nominees

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Brooks & Dunn
Tim McGraw
Rascal Flatts

TOP MALE VOCALIST
Toby Keith
Keith Urban

TOP FEMALE VOCALIST
Sara Evans
Faith Hill
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Carrie Underwood

TOP VOCAL GROUP
Diamond Rio
Little Big Town
Lonestar
Rascal Flatts

TOP VOCAL DUO
Big & Rich
Brooks & Dunn
Montgomery Gentry
Sugarland
The Wreckers

TOP NEW MALE VOCALIST
Rodney Atkins
Craig Morgan

TOP NEW FEMALE VOCALIST
Miranda Lambert
Taylor Swift

TOP NEW DUO OR VOCAL GROUP
Heartland
Little Big Town
The Wreckers

ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company]
Hillbilly Deluxe
Brooks & Dunn (Arista Nashville)
Produced by Tony Brown, Ronnie Dunn and Kix Brooks
#3 Produced by Mark Wright, Tony Brown, Ronnie Dunn, Kix Brooks
#6 Original demo produced by Kix Brooks, Tom Shapiro

It Just Comes Natural
Produced by Tony Brown

Me and My Gang
Rascal Flatts (Lyric Street Records)
Produced by Rascal Flatts

Some Hearts
Carrie Underwood (19 Recordings Limited/Arista Records)

These Days
Vince Gill (MCA Nashville)
Produced by Vince Gill, John Hobbs, Justin Niebank

SINGLE RECORD OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company]
"Before He Cheats"
Carrie Underwood

"Give It Away"
Produced by Tony Brown

"I Loved Her First"
Heartland

"What Hurts the Most"
Rascal Flatts
Produced by Rascal Flatts

SONG OF THE YEAR [Award to Composer(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
"Amarillo Sky"
Jason Aldean
Writers: Big Kenny, Rodney Clawson
Publishers: Big Love Music, Carol Vincent and Associates, Grinnin' Girl Music
"Before He Cheats"
Carrie Underwood

"Give It Away"
Writers: Bill Anderson, Jamey Johnson
Publishers: Sony/ATV Tree Publishing/Mr. Bubba Music, Inc., Sony/ATV Music Publishing, EMI Blackwood Music Inc.

"If You're Going Through Hell (Before the Devil Even Knows)"
Rodney Atkins

"Would You Go With Me"
Writers: Shawn Camp, John Scott Sherrill
Publishers: Sony/ATV Songs LLC/All Mighty Dog Music/Travelin' Arkansawyer Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing; Sony/ATV Songs LLC/All Mighty Dog Music/City Wolf Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing

VIDEO OF THE YEAR [Award to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]
"8th of November"
Big & Rich

"Amarillo Sky"
Jason Aldean

"Before He Cheats"
Carrie Underwood

"Hillbilly Deluxe"
Brooks & Dunn

"Seashores of Old Mexico"
Director: Trey Fanjoy

VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company]
"Building Bridges"
Brooks & Dunn with Vince Gill & Sheryl Crow
Produced by Tony Brown, Ronnie Dunn and Kix Brooks
Arista Nashville

"I Don't Want To"
Ashley Monroe & Ronnie Dunn
Produced by Mark Wright
Columbia Nashville

"Me and God"
Featuring Dr. Ralph Stanley and Marty Roe, Dana Williams and Gene Johnson of Diamond Rio
MCA Nashville

"Politically Uncorrect"
Featuring Merle Haggard
Produced by Mark Wright
Columbia Nashville

"That's How They Do It In Dixie"
Hank Williams Jr. with Big & Rich
Produced by Doug Johnson for Curb Productions
Curb Records

The President and Mrs. Bush stand in the Oval Office with the recipients of the 2006 National Medal of Arts. Pictured from left are: Ben Jaffe and his mother Sandra Jaffe, director and co-founder of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band; literary translator Gregory Rabassa; dancer Cyd Charisse; photographer Roy DeCarava; industrial designer Viktor Schreckengost; musician Ralph Stanley; arts patron Billie Holladay; composer William Bolcom; Interlochen Center for the Arts CEO Jeffrey Kimpton; and NEA Chairman Dana Goia. photo by Paul Morse

William Bolcom, winner of the 1988 Pulitzer Prize in Music, is known for his eclectic music that pulsates with vernacular from ragtime to reggae. His most celebrated works include the opera A View from the Bridge and his massive setting of William Blake's Songs of Innocence and of Experience. The composer/pianist and his collaborator and wife, Joan Morris, have recorded 20 albums together, specializing in show tunes, cabaret and popular songs from the early 20th-century. A 1953 BMI Student Composer Award winner, Bolcom has also received two Guggenheims, four Rockefeller Foundation awards, and four NEA fellowships. Since the fall of 1994, he has held the title of Ross Lee Finney Distinguished University Professor of Composition at the University of Michigan; he joined the faculty in 1973.

William Bolcom	Ralph Stanley

With a career that spans six decades as a recording and performing artist, multiple Grammy and IBMA Award-winning bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley was born in 1927 in the Clinch Mountains of Virginia, which inspired much of his music. He and his brother Carter formed the Stanley Brothers and the Clinch Mountain Boys in 1946, quickly gaining a following due to their broadcasts on WCYB in Bristol, Va. In addition to his son, Ralph II, many contemporary bluegrass artists came up through the Clinch Mountain Boys band, including Ricky Skaggs, Keith Whitley, Larry Sparks and Charlie Sizemore. The Grand Ole Opry member performed on the multi-platinum soundtrack for the movie, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, the surprise Album of the Year winner at the 2002 Grammy Awards ceremony.

Administered by the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Medal of Arts has been issued to over 200 individuals since its inception in 1984. Among the distinguished BMI recipients are blues giants B.B. King and Buddy Guy, country legends George Jones, Dolly Parton, Bill Monroe and Roy Acuff, jazz masters Dave Brubeck, Paquito D'Rivera and Betty Carter, concert composer Elliott Carter, and soul artist Ray Charles.

Past musical recipients of the National Heritage Fellowships include B.B. King, John Lee Hooker, Doc Watson and Bill Monroe. This noteworthy list of more than 60 individuals and groups includes representatives of the blues, gospel, bluegrass, Tejano and Cajun fields. Its diversity illustrates BMI's dedication to the roots of American music and the nation's cultural heritage.

BMI's 2006 NEA National Heritage Fellowship recipients:

Henry Gray is a widely respected blues pianist from Baton Rouge, La. He played keyboards in the legendary Howlin' Wolf band for 12 years (1956-68) before retuning to his native Louisiana and becoming one of the best known players in the Gulf region. His numerous albums illustrate his notable "swamp-blues" style. photo: Brian Smith

Doyle Lawson of Bristol, Tenn., is one of the most respected bluegrass and gospel performers in the field. He began playing professionally at the age of 11, and joined ensembles led by Jimmy Martin and J.D. Crowe, as well as the Country Gentlemen. In 1979, he founded the band Quicksilver, which has won the coveted Vocal Group of the Year award from the International Bluegrass Music Association for the last five years.

Mavis Staples has been a powerhouse vocalist in the gospel and r&b fields for nearly 50 years. She formed the Staples Singers along with her siblings and late father Roebuck "Pop" Staples (a 1998 Fellowship recipient). Chart-topping songs such as "Respect Yourself" and "I'll Take You There" on Memphis's Stax Records possess countless fans. In recent years as a solo artist, she has collaborated with Prince, Bob Dylan and Marty Stuart.

Complete list of BMI National Heritage Fellowship recipients:

Francisco Aguabella [1992]
Afro-Cuban drummer
Manhattan Beach, Calif.

Alfonse "Bois Sec" Ardoin [1986]
African-American Creole Accordionist
Eunice, La.

Pedro Ayala [1988]
Mexican-American accordionist
Donna, Texas

Kenny Baker [1993]
Bluegrass fiddler
Cottonwood, Tenn.

Dewey Balfa [1982]
Cajun fiddler
Basile, La.

Eddie Blazonczyk [1998]
Polish-American Musician/Bandleader
Bridgeview, Ill.

Charles Brown [1997]
Blues pianist & composer
Berkeley, Ca.

Chuck Brown [2005]
African-American musical innovator
Brandywine, Md.

Michael Burke [2001]
Irish Fiddler
Portland, Ore.

Liz Carroll [1994]
Irish-American fiddler
Chicago, Ill.

Rapael Cepeda [1983]
Bomba musician/dancer
Santurce, Puerto Rico

Wilson "Boozoo" Chavis [2001]
Credo Zydeco accordionist
Lake Charles, La.

Clifton Chenier [1984]
Creole accordionist
Lafayette, La.

Joseph Cormier [1984]
Cape Bretton accordionist
Waltham, Mass.

Elizabeth Cotton [1984]
African-American songster/songwriter
Syracuse, N.Y.

Luderin Darbon/Edwin Duhon [2002]
Cajun fiddler and accordionist
Sulphur, La./Westlake, La.

Dixie Hummingbirds [2000]
African-American gospel quartet
Philadelphia, Pa.

Michael Doucet [2005]
Cajun fiddler, composer and band leader
Lafayette, La.

Jerry Douglas [2004]
Dobro player
Nashville, Tenn.

David "Honeyboy" Edwards [2002]
Blues guitarist/singer
Chicago, Ill.

Fairfield Four [1989]
African-American acapella gospel singers
Nashville, Tenn.

Canray Fontenot [1986]
African-American creole fiddler
Welsh, La.

Clarence Fountain & the Blind Boys [1994]
African-American gospel singers
Atlanta, Ga.

Johnny Gimble [1994]
Angle western swing fiddler
Dripping Springs, Texas

Henry Gray [2006]
Blues piano player, singer
Baton Rouge, La.

Eduardo "Lalo" Guerrero [1991]
Mexican-American singer/guitarist/composer
Cathedral City, Calif.

Juan Gutierrez [1996]
Puerto Rican drummer
New York, N.Y.

John Lee Hooker [1983]
Blues guitarist/singer
San Carlos, Calif.

John Jackson [1986]
African-American songster/guitarist
Fairfax, Va.

Wanda Jackson [2005]
Early country, rockabilly and gospel singer
Oklahoma City, Okla.

Santiago Jimenez, Jr. [2000]
Tejano accordionist/singer
San Antonio, Texas

Bessie Jones [1982]
Georgia Sea Island singer
Brunswick, Ga.

Raymond Kane [1987]
Hawaiian slack key guitarist/singer
Wai'anae, Hawaii

Ali Akbar Khan [1997]
North Indian sarod player & raga composer
San Anselmo, Calif.

Riley "B.B." King [1991]
African-American bluesman
Itta Bena, Miss./Las Vegas, Nev.

Doyle Lawson [2006]
Gospel and bluegrass singer, arranger, bandleader
Bristol, Tenn.

Robert Jr. Lockwood [1995]
African-American delta blues guitarist
Cleveland, Ohio

Valerio Longoria [1986]
Mexican-American accordionist
San Antonio, Texas

Israel "Cachao" Lopez [1995]
Afro-Cuban bassist/composer/band leader
Miami, Fla.

Albert "Sunnyland Slim" Luandrew [1988]
African-American blues pianist/singer
Chicago, Ill.

Wade Mainer [1987]
Appalachian banjo picker/singer
Flint, Mich.

Brownie McGhee [1982]
Blues guitarist
Oakland, Calif.

Jim & Jesse McReynolds [1997]
Bluegrass musicians
Gallatin, Tenn.

D.L. Menard [1994]
Cajun musician/songwriter
Erath, La.

Lydia Mendoza [1983]
Mexican-American singer
Houston, Texas

Bill Monroe [1983]
Nashville, Tenn.

Jack Owens [1993]
Blues singer/guitarist
Betonia, Miss.

Joe Willie "Pinetop" Perkins [2000]
Blues piano player
La Porte, Ind.

Ola Belle Reed [1986]
Appalachian banjo picker/singer
Rising Sun, Md.

Domingo "Mingo" Saldivar [2002]
Conjunto accordionist
San Antonio, Texas

Earl Scruggs [1989]
Bluegrass banjo player
Madison, Tenn.

Simon Sheheen [1994]
Arab-American oud player
Brooklyn, N.Y.

Ralph Stanley [1983]
Appalachian banjo player/singer
Coeburn, Va.

Mavis Staples [2006]
Gospel, rhythm & blues singer
Chicago, Ill.

Roebuck "Pops" Staples [1998]
African-American gospel/blues musician
Dolton, Ill.

Koko Taylor [2004]
Blues musician
Chicago, Ill.

Sanders "Sonny" Terry [1983]
Blues musician
Holliswood, N.Y.

Henry Townsend [1985]
Blues musician/singer
St. Louis, Mo.

Othar Turner [1992]
African-American fife player
Senatobia, Miss.

Albertina Walker [2005]
Gospel singer
Chicago, Ill.

Don Walser [2000]
Western singer/guitarist
Austin, Texas

Arthel "Doc" Watson [1988]
Appalachian guitar player/singer
Deep Gap, N.C.

Claude "The Fiddler" Williams [1998]
African-American jazz/swing fiddler
Kansas City, Mo.

Dewey Williams [1983]
Shape note singer
Ozark, Ala.

Nimrod Workman [1986]
Appalachian ballad singer
Mascot, Tenn./Chattaroy, W.V.]]> 2006-09-11T05:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/334733 Artists, Adams, Yolanda, Blind Boys of Alabama, The, Byrd, Marc, Carr, Kurt, Cash, Ed, Casting Crowns, Chapman, Steven Curtis, Crabb, Gerald, Franklin, Kirk, Gill, Vince, Goss, Lari, Hammond, Fred, Haun, Wayne, Jars of Clay, Jerkins, Rodney, Koch, Don, Marvin, Robert, McClurkin, Donnie, McKeehan, Toby, Peoples, Dottie, Sprinkle, Aaron, Stanley, Ralph, Stuart, Marty, Switchfoot, Teren, George, tobyMac, Winans, Bebe, Winans, CeCe, Witt, Marcos, Musical Styles, Gospel 37th Annual GMA Music Awards were announced last month. Presented by the Gospel Music Association during Gospel Music Week, the ceremony -- also known as the Dove Awards -- will be held April 5 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville.

Aaron Sprinkle	Relient K	Ed Cash

Singer/songwriter/producer Aaron Sprinkle was showered with the most praise, earning eight nominations for his work with artists in a variety of categories, including pop/contemporary, rap/hip-hop and worship. Three of his nominations are for CD compilations that will compete for Special Event Album of the Year, including Happy Christmas Volume Four, Music Inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and WoW Christmas Green.

Casting Crowns	Steven Curtis Chapman

Pop-punk outfit Relient K came in with six nods, earning two for "Be My Escape," two for their album Mmhmm, and two as contributing artists on a pair of Special Event Album nominees.

Earning five nominations apiece were Christian rock band Casting Crowns, who will vie for Group and Artist of the Year; alt-rock group Switchfoot, whose Nothing Is Sound is up for Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year; and 2005's Producer of the Year Ed Cash, who hopes for a repeat win in that category.

Crabb Family	Jars of Clay	Wayne Haun

Southern gospel veterans the Crabb Family also took home five GMA nominations, with individual family members Gerald, Jason, Adam and Aaron each earning their own multiple nods.

Casting Crowns' lead singer Mark Hall picked up a total of four solo mentions, including two Song of the Year nominations for the hits "Lifesong" and "Voice of Truth." Pop/rock quartet Jars of Clay, producer Wayne Haun and Relient K frontman Matthew Theissen rounded out the quadruple nominees list.

CeCe Winans	Toby McKeehan	Switchfoot

BMI award-winning artist/songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman, who has collected 49 Dove Awards to date -- more than any other artist in gospel music history -- has a chance to pass the 50-trophy mark this year if any of his three nominations results in win.

Also earning triple nominations were 13-time GMA Award winner Lari Goss, gospel producer Sanchez Harley and church group Israel & New Breed; leader Israel Houghton is up for five of his own GMAs.

Other BMI nominees included double earners Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, Vince Gill, Grits, Kids In The Way, Dave Moody, tobyMac (Toby McKeehan) and CeCe Winans, as well as Yolanda Adams, Blind Boys of Alabama, Building 429, Fred Hammond, Rodney Jerkins, Lewis Family, Donnie McClurkin, Martha Munizzi, Dottie Peoples and George Teren, who is also up for a 2006 ACM Award.

Songwriter of the Year contenders will be revealed, along with the winner, at the 37th Annual GMA Music Awards ceremony, to be hosted by 2006 Dove nominees Rebecca St. James and Kirk Franklin. The recorded show will be televised in national syndication from April 15 to May 21.

Founded in 1964, the 4,500-member Gospel Music Association is dedicated to exposing, promoting and celebrating the gospel through music. The GMA represents all styles of gospel music including contemporary pop, rock, urban gospel, praise & worship, Southern gospel, country and children's gospel music. The GMA produces the GMA Music Awards, which recognize achievement in all genres of gospel music and are voted on by members of the GMA.

BMI's 2006 GMA Awards Nominees:

8 Nominations
Aaron Sprinkle

6 Nominations
Relient K

5 Nominations
Ed Cash
Casting Crowns
The Crabb Family
Israel Houghton
Aaron W. Lindsey
Otto Price
Switchfoot

4 Nominations
Mark Hall
Dan Haseltine
Wayne Haun
Jars of Clay
Charlie Lowell
Steve Mason
Matt Odmark
Matthew Theissen

3 Nominations
Steven Curtis Chapman
Jason Crabb
Lari Goss
Sanchez Harley
Israel & New Breed

2 Nominations
Alletrope Music
Kelly Bowling
Kurt Carr
Teron Carter
Club Zoo Music
Gerald Crabb
Adam Crabb
Aaron Crabb
Christopher Davis
Dizmas
Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
Jerome Fontamillas
Vince Gill
Percy Gray, Jr.
Grits
Stacy Jones
Mat Kearney
Kids In The Way
Ay'Ron Lewis
Dave Moody
NewSong
Ric Robbins
Rebecca St. James
SWECS Music
tobyMac (Toby McKeehan)
CeCe Winans

Other Nominees
Yolanda Adams
Duane Allen
Paul Allen
Rev. F.C. Barnes
Luther Barnes
Blind Boys of Alabama
Ronald Block
Kevin Bond
Paul Boutte
Damon Bracy
Brian Free & Assurance
Building 429
Kyle Bynoe
Marc Byrd
Champions for Christ Publishing
Dean Chance
John Chelew
Stan Dailey
Alvin Darling
Daywind Music Group
Hector Diaz
Chris Eaton
Kirk Franklin
Aaron Gillespie
Rob Graves
Kenny Greenberg
Greenberg Music
Fred Hammond
Tom Hemby
Rick Hendrix
George Huff
Steve Huff
Integrity's Praise! Music
Rodney Jerkins
Lee Jerkins
Fred Jerkins III
Don Koch
Jean-Luc Lajoie
Shawn Lane
Frank Lenz
Lewis Family
Robert Marvin
Donnie McClurkin
Annie McRae
McRaes
Nelson McSwain
Meaux Mercy
The Mighty Clouds of Joy
Buck Moore
Martha Munizzi
Michael Neale
Peach Hill Songs
Aaron Pearce
Dottie Peoples
Rizen
Roger Ryan
Carolyn Sanders
Belinda Smith
Sparrow Song
Spinning Audio Vortex
Ralph Stanley
Ralph Stanley II
Derrick Starks
Christopher Stevens
Marty Stuart
George Teren
Rev. Gerald Thompson
Anthony Vero
Reed Vertelney
Tommy Walker
Fred Washington
Mark Whitehead
BeBe Winans
Marcos Witt

Larry Sparks

Hosted by Alison Krauss and Ricky Skaggs, the evening featured a number of live performances from award nominees who played for a sold-out crowd and worldwide radio audience, celebrating the 60th anniversary of bluegrass music, which began on the very same Ryman stage in 1945.

IBMA Entertainer of the Year winners Cherryholmes book ended by BMI's Bradley Collins and Paul Corbin, Mark Mason and Shelby Kennedy. photo: Brian Tipton

Forty years of performing has proven to be a delight for Larry Sparks as he received his second award in a row for Male Vocalist of the Year. Sparks also took home Album of the Year and Recorded Event of the Year honors for 40, the album celebrating the span of his legendary career. The record brought Sparks together with a cadre of performers including Ronnie Bowman, Larry Cordle, Kevin Denney, Vince Gill, Andy Griggs, Tom T. Hall, Jim Hurst, the Isaacs, Carl Jackson, Chris Jones, Alison Krauss, the Marshall Family, Russell Moore, Tim Stafford, Ralph Stanley, Dan Tyminski, Rhonda Vincent and Paul Williams.

BMI's Mark Mason, IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year Rhonda Vincent, BMI's Paul Corbin. photo: Brian Tipton

Harley Allen was given Song of the Year honors for "Me and John and Paul," recorded by the Grascals. Allen recently was named a Songwriter of the Year at BMI's 2005 Country Awards. Rhonda Vincent broke her own record by taking home her sixth consecutive Female Vocalist of the Year award, more than any female in history.

BMI's David Preston, Vocal Group of the Year's bandleader Doyle Lawson and tenor singer Jamie Dailey, BMI's Bradley Collins. photo: Brian Tipton

Harmony masters Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver were recipients of their fifth consecutive Vocal Group of the Year award in addition to Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year for "Praise His Name," from their album School of Bluegrass. Lawson recently released a DVD special surrounding the band's 25th anniversary celebration of the founding of the influential group.

BMI's Perry Howard, Del McCoury, BMI's Mark Mason. photo: Brian Tipton

Fiddle player and Nashville Bluegrass Band founding member Stuart Duncan was named Fiddle Player of the Year, his eighth career win in that category, having last taken home the honor in 1996. Kentucky Thunder banjo player and Sugar Hill Records solo artist Jim Mills received the Banjo Player of the Year trophy, the fifth such honor of his career and a great topper on a successful year with his solo release, Hide Heads Blues.

BMI's Scott Andrews addresses technology issues during a panel at the 2005 IBMA convention. photo: Priscilla Warnock

The International Bluegrass Music Awards were broadcast live on XM Satellite Radio and syndicated to radio stations in over 300 U.S. markets and 14 foreign networks. Sponsors of the evening, in addition to BMI, included Martha White, Great American Television (GAC), Merlefest, Sugar Hill Records, Deering Banjos and GHS Strings.

Congratulations to BMI's 16th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards winners:

Entertainer of the Year
Cherryholmes

Vocal Group of the Year
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver

Female Vocalist of the Year
Rhonda Vincent

Male Vocalist of the Year
Larry Sparks

Album of the Year
40 by Larry Sparks

Song of the Year
"Me and John and Paul" written by Harley Allen

Recorded Event of the Year
40 by Larry Sparks

Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year
"Praise His Name" by Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
produced by Doyle Lawson

Instrumental Album of the Year
Slide Effects
produced Scott Vestal

Banjo Player
Jim Mills

Fiddle Player
Stuart Duncan

Alison Krauss & Union Station	Rhonda Vincent

Alison Krauss & Union Station received 14 nominations including Entertainer of the Year, Instrumental Group, Vocal Group, Song of the Year, Album, Gospel Recorded Performance, Female Vocalist for Alison, Male Vocalist for Dan Tyminski and individual instrumental award nods for band members Jerry Douglas (Dobro) and Ron Block (banjo). Krauss and Tyminski are also featured on the Larry Sparks album 40, nominated for Album of the Year and Recorded Event of the Year. She also received a nod for being a part of the Recorded Event-nominated album Moody Bluegrass.

Blue Highway	Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver

Five-time Female Vocalist of the Year Rhonda Vincent and her band the Rage came in with eight nominations including Entertainer, Vocal Group, Female Vocalist, and an individual nod for the Rage's Hunter Berry on fiddle. Vincent is also a featured artist on the IBMA-nominated album 40 by Larry Sparks.

Larry Sparks	Del McCoury Band

Picking up seven nominations, Doyle Lawson and his band Quicksilver were recognized for Entertainer, Vocal Group, Album and Gospel Recorded Performance, along with an individual instrumental nomination for Lawson on mandolin. They'll compete with themselves among others with two nominations in the Song of the Year category for "Heartbreak Number Nine," written by band members Barry Scott and Jamie Daley, and "You Gotta Dig A Little Deeper," written by Carl H. Caldwell and Barry Scott.

Paul Williams	Williams & Clark Expedition

Blue Highway also earned seven nominations including Vocal Group, Instrumental Group, and an Album of the Year and Recorded Event nod for their participation on Larry Sparks' 40. Band members Rob Ickes (Dobro) and Tim Stafford (Guitar) are nominated in their respective Instrumental Award categories; Stafford's album Endless Line is also a finalist for Instrumental Album.

Cherryholmes	Mountain Heart

Eight-time Entertainers of the Year the Del McCoury Band received six nominations including Entertainer, Instrumental Group and individual nods for band members Rob McCoury on banjo and Ronnie McCoury on mandolin. Del McCoury was also a Song of the Year nominee as writer for the Alison Krauss & Union Station song "Rain Please Go Away."

Reigning Male Vocalist Larry Sparks nabbed five nominations -- Album of the Year, Recorded Event, Male Vocalist, Guitar Player and a Song of the Year nod for the Alan Laney-penned "Georgia Peaches" with Andy Griggs.

Bluegrass power group Mountain Heart picked up five nominations for Vocal Group, Instrumental Group and Gospel Recorded Performance for their song "I Want To Live Beyond The Grave," in addition to an individual recognition for Jason Moore on bass.

Longtime gospel stalwart Paul Williams also gathered five nominations, including Gospel Recorded Performance for his album I'll Be No Stranger There. Williams also contributed to the Album and Recorded Event-nominated albums 40 by Larry Sparks and the Tribute to Jimmy Martin: "The King of Bluegrass" project.

The recipients of the 2005 International Bluegrass Music Awards will be broadcast via radio around the world to more than 300 U.S. markets and 14 foreign networks. The awards are voted on by the professional membership of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), which serves as the trade association for the bluegrass music industry. The award show is the centerpiece of IBMA's week-long Business Conference and Bluegrass Fan Fest, slated for October 24-30 in Nashville.

Congratulations to BMI's 2005 IBMA nominees:

Entertainer of the Year
Cherryholmes
Alison Krauss & Union Station
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
The Del McCoury Band
Rhonda Vincent & the Rage

Instrumental Group of the Year
Blue Highway
Alison Krauss & Union Station
The Del McCoury Band
Mountain Heart

Vocal Group of the Year
Blue Highway
Alison Krauss & Union Station
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Mountain Heart
Rhonda Vincent & The Rage

Male Vocalist of the Year
Russell Moore
Larry Sparks
Dan Tyminski

Female Vocalist of the Year
Dale Ann Bradley
Cia Cherryholmes
Sonya Isaacs
Alison Krauss
Rhonda Vincent

Song of the Year
"Georgia Peaches"
Larry Sparks with Andy Griggs
written by Carl Jackson & Alan Laney

"Heartbreak Number Nine"
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
written by Barry Scott & Jamie Dailey

"Me and John and Paul"
written by Harley Allen

"Rain Please Go Away"
Alison Krauss & Union Station
written by Del McCoury

"You Gotta Dig A Little Deeper"
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
written by Carl H. Caldwell & Barry Scott

Album of the Year
40
Larry Sparks
produced by Don Rigsby

Lonely Runs Both Ways
Alison Krauss & Union Station
produced by Alison Krauss & Union Station

Tribute to Jimmy Martin: "The King of Bluegrass"
J.D. Crowe & Paul Williams
produced by Ben Isaacs

You Gotta Dig A Little Deeper
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
produced by Doyle Lawson

Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year
"A Living Prayer"
Alison Krauss & Union Station
produced by Alison Krauss & Union Station

"I'll Be No Stranger There"
Paul Williams & The Victory Trio
produced by Paul Williams

"I Want To Live Beyond the Grave"
Mountain Heart

"Praise His Name"
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
produced by Doyle Lawson

Instrumental Album of the Year
Bending The Rules
Jesse McReynolds with Travis Wetzel
produced by Jesse McReynolds & Billy Troy

Endless Line
Tim Stafford
produced by Tim Stafford & Bobby Starnes

Half Moon Bay
produced by Bobby Starnes

Slide Effects
produced by Scott Vestal

Recorded Event of the Year
40
Larry Sparks with Ronnie Bowman, Larry Cordle, Kevin Denney, Vince Gill, Andy Griggs, Tom T. Hall, Jim Hurst, the Isaacs, Chris Jones, Alison Krauss, Russell Moore, Don Rigsby, Tim Stafford, Ralph Stanley, Dan Tyminski, Rhonda Vincent & Paul Williams
produced by Don Rigsby

Daughters of American Bluegrass
Kim Fox, Dale Ann Bradley, Cindy Cashdollar, Missy Raines, Gena Britt and Michelle Birkby-Vance
produced by Lorraine Jordan

Moody Bluegrass: A Nashville Tribute to the Moody Blues
Harley Allen, Alison Brown, Sam Bush, Fred Carpenter, Lionel Cartwright, Larry Cordle, Stuart Duncan, Andrew Hall, Aubrey Haynie, David Harvey, Alison Krauss, Keith Little, Jon Randall, Tom Shinness
produced by David Harvey

Tribute to Jimmy Martin: "The King of Bluegrass"
J.D. Crowe, Paul Williams, Audie Blaylock & Kenny Ingram
produced by Ben Isaacs

You Were There For Me
Peter Rowan & Tony Rice
produced by Peter Rowan & Tony Rice

Emerging Artists of the Year
Cherryholmes
Williams & Clark Expedition

Instrumental Performers of the Year
Banjo
Ron Block
J.D. Crowe
Rob McCoury

Dobro
Mike Auldridge
Jerry Douglas
Rob Ickes
Randy Kohrs

Bass
Missy Raines
Marshall Wilborn

Fiddle
Hunter Berry
Jason Carter
Michael Cleveland
Stuart Duncan
Ron Stewart

Guitar
Jim Hurst
Tony Rice
Larry Sparks
Tim Stafford

Mandolin
Sam Bush
Doyle Lawson
Ronnie McCoury

Bluegrass Broadcaster of the Year
Terry Herd

Best Liner Notes for a Recorded Project
Eddie Stubbs
Don Reno & Red Smiley
Sweethearts in Heaven]]> 2005-09-06T18:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/234378 Artists, Gill, Vince, Griggs, Andy, Hall, Tom T., Krauss, Alison, Reynolds, Leigh, Sparks, Larry, Stanley, Ralph, Tyminski, Dan, Vincent, Rhonda, Musical Styles, Bluegrass, Country, Type, International Larry Sparks, the reigning International Bluegrass Music Association's Male Vocalist of the Year, marked the March 1 release of his album 40 with a party and performance co-hosted by BMI Nashville and Rebel Records.

BMI's Harry Warner, Rebel Records' Dave Freeman, Larry Sparks, BMI's Paul Corbin, producer Don Rigsby

Named to commemorate Sparks' 40th year as a professional bluegrass performer, the 16-song package - produced by Don Rigsby -- pairs him with a glittering array of fellow country and bluegrass stars, including Vince Gill, Alison Krauss, Andy Griggs, Rhonda Vincent, Ricky Skaggs, Tom T. Hall, Dan Tyminski, Sharon & Cheryl White, Rebecca Lynn Howard, the Isaacs, the Marshall Family, Kevin Denney, Paul Williams, Jim Hurst, Kenny Smith, Tim Stafford, Don Rigsby, Chris Jones, Russell Moore, Ronnie Bowman and the legendary Ralph Stanley, who gave Sparks his start in the music business.

Kevin Denney, Larry Sparks

A native of Lebanon, Ohio, Sparks joined the Stanley brothers band, the Clinch Mountain Boys, in 1964, when he was 16 years old. Two years later, elder brother Carter Stanley died, and surviving brother Ralph asked Sparks to take his place as lead vocalist. In 1969, Sparks formed his own band, the Lonesome Ramblers, and has headlined the bluegrass circuit ever since. A BMI affiliate since 1973, he has recorded for Rebel Records since 1980.

Larry Shell, Leigh Reynolds	WSM Radio's Eddie Stubbs, IBMA's Dan Hays

Sharon White, Pam Sparks

Tom T. Hall, Carl Jackson, Larry Sparks

Larry Sparks and the Lonesome Ramblers: Matthew Madden (acoustic bass), Scott Napier (mandolin), Joshua McMurray (banjo) and Michael Feagan (fiddle)

Photos by Alan Mayor