The International Bluegrass Music Association, or IBMA, is a trade association to promote bluegrass music.
Formed in 1985, IBMA established its first headquarters in Owensboro, Kentucky. In 1988 they announced plans to create the International Bluegrass Music Museum as a joint venture with RiverPark Center in Owensboro. In 1987 IBMA established the World of Bluegrass, a combination trade show, concert, and awards presentation. This was originally set in Owensboro, before moving to Louisville, Kentucky in 1997. Nashville, Tennessee hosted this event from 2005 through 2012. From 2013 to 2024, the event was hosted in Raleigh, North Carolina but was moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee for 2025 through 2027. In 1991 IBMA established the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor at the International Bluegrass Music Museum to recognize lifetime contributions to bluegrass, both by performers and non-performers. In 2003 IBMA relocated its offices to Nashville, Tennessee. Winners are chosen by the 2,500 members of the International Bluegrass Music Association.Edwards, Joe, "Tyminski top Bluegrass male vocalist for 4th time," AP, October 1, 2009, accessed October 10, 2009
Mission Statement The IBMA is the non-profit music association that connects, educates, and empowers bluegrass professionals and enthusiasts, honoring tradition and encouraging innovation in the bluegrass community worldwide.
Hall of Fame
Hall of Fame Inductees Norman Blake - 2022 Paul "Moon" Mullins - 2022 Peter Rowan - 2022 Alison Krauss - 2021 Lynn Morris - 2021 The Stoneman Family - 2021 J.T. Gray - 2020 The Johnson Mountain Boys - 2020 New Grass Revival - 2020 The Kentucky Colonels - 2019 Bill Emerson - 2019 Mike Auldridge - 2019 Vassar Clements - 2018 Tom T. and Dixie Hall - 2018 Mike Seeger - 2018 Allen Shelton - 2018 Ricky Skaggs - 2018 Jake Tullock - 2018 Joe Val - 2018 Paul Williams - 2018 Terry Woodward - 2018 Bobby Hicks - 2017 Alice Gerrard and Hazel Dickens - 2017 Roland White - 2017 Clarence White - 2016 The Rounder founders - 2016 Larry Sparks - 2015 Bill Keith - 2015 The Original Seldom Scene - 2014 Neil Rosenberg - 2014 Tony Rice - 2013 Paul Warren - 2013 Doyle Lawson - 2012 Ralph Rinzler - 2012 Del McCoury - 2011 George Shuffler - 2011 John Hartford - 2010 Louise Scruggs - 2010 The Dillards - 2009 Lonesome Pine Fiddlers - 2009 Bill Clifton - 2008 Charles K. Wolfe - 2008 Carl Story - 2007 Howard Staton “Cedric Rainwater” Watts - 2007 The Lewis Family - 2006 Syd Nathan - 2006 Red Allen - 2005 Benny Martin - 2005 Curly Seckler - 2004 Bill Vernon - 2004 J. D. Crowe - 2003 David Freeman - 2002 The Lilly Brothers & Don Stover - 2002 The Carter Family - 2001 Arthel "Doc" Watson - 2000 Lance LeRoy - 2000 Kenny Baker - 1999 Chubby Wise - 1998 Carlton Haney - 1998 Josh Graves - 1997 The Country Gentlemen - 1996 Pete Kuykendall - 1996 Jimmy Martin - 1995 The Osborne Brothers - 1994 Mac Wiseman - 1993 Jim & Jesse McReynolds - 1993 Don Reno & Arthur Lee "Red" Smiley - 1992 The Stanley Brothers, Carter & Ralph - 1992 Bill Monroe - 1991 Earl Scruggs - 1991 Lester Flatt - 1991
Entertainer of the year
1990: Hot Rize 1991: Alison Krauss & Union Station 1992: Nashville Bluegrass Band 1993: Nashville Bluegrass Band 1994: Del McCoury Band 1995: Alison Krauss & Union Station 1996: Del McCoury Band 1997: Del McCoury Band 1998: Del McCoury Band 1999: Del McCoury Band 2000: Del McCoury Band 2001: Rhonda Vincent & the Rage 2002: Del McCoury Band 2003: Del McCoury Band 2004: Del McCoury Band 2005: Cherryholmes 2006: The Grascals 2007: The Grascals 2008: Dailey & Vincent 2009: Dailey & Vincent 2010: Dailey & Vincent 2011: Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers 2012: The Gibson Brothers 2013: The Gibson Brothers"The Gibson Brothers - for the Second Year in a Row - Named Entertainer of the Year at 2013 IBMA Music Awards ." International Bluegrass Music Association. Retrieved on 29 September 2013. 2014: Balsam Range"." International Bluegrass Music Association. Retrieved on 2 October 2014. 2015: The Earls of Leicester 2016: The Earls of Leicester 2017: The Earls of Leicester 2018: Balsam Range 2019: Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers 2020: Sister Sadie 2021: Billy Strings
References
External links IBMA: http://www.ibma.org IBMA World of Bluegrass: http://www.worldofbluegrass.org