Billy Strings & East Nash Grass Lead 2026 IBMA Awards Winners

Billy Strings, Authentic Unlimited, East Nash Grass and Trey Hensley were among the top winners at the International Bluegrass Music Association Awards held Thursday (Oct. 22) at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium in downtown Chattanooga, Tenn. This year’s awards show was hosted by Sam Bush and Sierra Hull.

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Strings was named entertainer of the year for a fifth time, having previously earned the accolade in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2025. The music video for “The Devil Went Down to Deep Gap” by Billy Strings and Bryan Sutton was honored with the music video of the year award.

Two years ago, group East Nash Grass had been named new artist of the year; this year, the band earned two trophies, including album of the year (for All God’s Children), as well as instrumental group of the year. Meanwhile, Trey Hensley earned song of the year for “Can’t Outrun the Blues” and Hull earned her eighth mandolin player of the year accolade.

The ceremony also saw four distinguished honorees inducted into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame: Byron Berline, The Nashville Bluegrass Band, The Lost & Found and Sugar Hill Records cofounder Barry Poss.

During the evening, several artists performed, including Patty Loveless with Sister Sadie, Stuart Duncan and Justin Moses, as well as performances from Hull, a Sam Bush All-Star Band, The Del McCoury Band, Authentic Unlimited, Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper, and The Grascals.

The awards show took place during the 2026 IBMA World of Bluegrass, which runs from Oct. 20 to 24 in downtown Chattanooga, Tenn., and includes four key events: the IBMA Business Conference at the Chattanooga Convention Center, IBMA Bluegrass Ramble and IBMA Bluegrass Live!®, Bluegrass Music Awards show at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium, and IBMA Pickin’ in the Park, a free all-day festival featuring live performances and more at Miller Park and Miller Plaza.

During the IBMA Business Conference, honorees for the IBMA Momentum Awards, Industry Awards and Distinguished Achievement Awards were also given out.

See the full list of 2026 IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards winners below:

Entertainer of the year:

Billy Strings

Vocal group of the year:

Authentic Unlimited

Instrumental group of the year:

East Nash Grass

Song of the year:

“Can’t Outrun the Blues,” Trey Hensley (Songwriters: Trey Hensley, Bobby Starnes; Producer: Brent Maher; Label: Pinecastle Records)

Album of the year:

All God’s Children, East Nash Grass (Producers: Jake Stargel, East Nash Grass; Label: Mountain Fever Records)

Gospel recording of the year:

“Some Day,” Blue Highway (Songwriters: Olive Stockton, Tim Stafford; Producer: Blue Highway, Dan Boner; Label: Down the Road Records)

Instrumental recording of the year:

“Big Daddy Rabbit,” Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper (feat. Nathan Livers) (Songwriter: Nathan Livers; Producer: Michael Cleveland; Label: Yeah, Man Records)

New artist of the year:

Mason Via

Collaborative recording of the year:

“Broken Angels,” The Grascals and Dolly Parton (Songwriters: Dolly Parton, Jamie Johnson; Producer: Kent Wells; Label: Billy Blue Records)

Male vocalist of the year:

Greg Blake

Female vocalist of the year:

Jaelee Roberts

Banjo player of the year:

Kristin Scott Benson

Bass player of the year:

Mike Bub

Fiddle player of the year:

Andy Leftwich

Resophonic guitar player of the year:

Justin Moses

Guitar player of the year:

Cody Kilby

Mandolin player of the year:

Sierra Hull

Music video of the year:

“The Devil Went Down to Deep Gap,” Bryan Sutton with Billy Strings (Animator: Pat Bradley, SpringShoe Animation; Producer: Josh Serrato)

2026 IBMA momentum awards honorees:

Band of the year: The Creekers  

Vocalist of the year: Lydia Hamby

Instrumentalist of the year: Luciya Sullivan

Instrumentalist of the year: Jean-Baptiste Cardineau

Mentor of the year: Pammy Davis Lassiter

Industry involvement award: Helen Ludé

2026 IBMA industry award honorees:

Songwriter of the year: Tim Stafford

Event of the year: CBA 50^th Anniversary Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival, Grass Valley, CA

Writer of the year: Gary Reid

Broadcaster of the year: Michelle Lee, Michelle Lee On Air

Photographer of the year: Scott Simontacchi

Graphic Designer of the year: Grace van’t Hof

Sound engineer of the year: Key Chang

Liner Notes of the year: Safe Sensible and Sane, Alison Brown and Steve Martin; Liner notes by Alison Brown and Steve Martin