“Murder On Music Row” and McCourys Rake In Bluegrass Hardware
"Murder On Music Row," written by Larry Cordle and Larry Shell, was named Song of the Year at the 11th annual International Bluegrass Music Awards, held October 19 at the Kentucky Center for Arts in Louisville. The song, which stirred up the country music industy through its CMA-winning recording by George Strait and Alan Jackson, was first recorded by Cordle with his band Lonesome Standard Time.
 Del McCoury Band |  Dolly Parton |
Also leading the list of IBMA winners was Ronnie McCoury, who collected four trophies. In capturing his eighth consecutive victory as Mandolinist of the Year, McCoury became the most-awarded instrumentalist in IBMA history. His other wins were for his work on Bluegrass Mandolin Extravanza, named both Instrumental Album and Recorded Event of the Year, and as a member of his father's group, the Del McCoury Band, which claimed Entertainer of the Year accolades for the fourth consecutive year. The Del McCoury Band, which also includes Rob McCoury, Jason Carter and Mike Bub, received an industry-leading 10 nominations; the McCoury band and its members have won more than 25 IBMA awards during the past 11 years.
Other repeat winners included IIIrd Tyme Out, Vocal Group of the Year for the seventh consecutive time; Missy Raines, top bassist for the third year in a row; and Rob Ickes, five-times-running dobro winner. Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver took the Gospel Recorded Performance title they previously won in 1996. Those also cited for the doubly-honored Bluegrass Mandolin Extravaganza were David Grisman, Sam Bush, Frank Wakefield, Bobby Osborne and Jesse McReynolds.
Vocalists Rhonda Vincent and Dudley Connell, fiddler Ronnie Stewart and Emrging Artist Nickel Creek received their first-ever IBMA honors. CMA Hall of Famer Dolly Parton made her first appearance at the event, and she and producer Steve Buckingham were rewarded with the Album of the Year prize for The Grass Is Blue.
The IBMA Awards show, which was hosted by Marty Stuart and broadcast to 300 radio markets and on 14 international radio networks, also celebrated the career of guitarist and folk singer Doc Watson, who was inducted into the IBMA Hall of Fame.
BMI's 11th Annual IBMA Winners
Entertainer of the Year
The Del McCoury Band
Vocal Group of the Year
IIIrd Tyme Out
Male Vocalist of the Year
Dudley Connell
Female Vocalist of the Year
Rhonda Vincent
Song of the Year
"Murder On Music Row"
written by Larry Cordle and Larry Shell
performed by Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time
Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year
Winding Through Life
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver Doyle Lawson, producer
Album of the Year
The Grass Is Blue
Dolly Parton
Steve Buckingham, producer
Instrumental Album of the Year,
Recorded Event of the Year
Bluegrass Mandolin Extravaganza
David Grisman, Ronnie McCoury, Sam Bush, Frank Wakefield, Bobby Osborne, Jesse McReynolds David Grisman and Ronnie McCoury, producers
Instrumental Performers
Banjo - Missy Raines
Dobro - Rob Ickes
Fiddle - Ronnie Stewart
Mandolin -Ronnie McCoury
Emerging Artist - Nickel Creek
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