The Travelin' McCourys, The Po' Ramblin' Boys, Sierra Hull, Justin Moses, and Pete Wernick Win Big at 29th Annual IBMA Awards

The Press House and Rainmaker Management congratulate The Travelin' McCourys, The Po' Ramblin' Boys, Sierra Hull, Justin Moses, and Pete Wernick on their recognition last night at the 29th annual International Bluegrass Music Association awards in Raleigh, North Carolina. First-time awards show hosts, Hot Rize, kept the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts laughing and informed throughout the evening, Red Knuckles making an appearance.

The Travelin' McCourys (Ronnie McCoury, Rob McCoury, Jason Carter, Allan Bartram, and Cody Kilby) are the recipient of INSTRUMENTAL GROUP OF THE YEAR, a first win for the band as a whole (although many members have won individually). This award comes hot on the heels of of the band's debut self-titled record released in May of this year.

The Po' Ramblin' Boys (CJ Lewandowski, Josh Rinkel, Jereme Brown, Jasper Lorentzen) are the recipient of EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR, the band's first IBMA award. 2018 has been a big year for the band, no doubt, having inked deals with Rounder Records, Crossover Touring, and Rainmaker Management. Craig Havighurst writing for WMOT notes that The Po' Ramblin' Boys are "one of the most talked about bands at IBMA" and describes the sound and band aesthetic as " ...a young but old-school band that wears suits and cowboy hats in the manner of early bluegrass stars like Flatt & Scruggs."

Sierra Hull won MANDOLIN PLAYER OF THE YEAR (her third win, previously awarded in '16 and '17) and RECORDED EVENT OF THE YEAR for "Swept Away," a song by Missy Raines recorded with Alison Brown, Becky Buller, Hull, and Molly Tuttle-- produced by Alison Brown for Compass Records. Justin Moses, a collaborator of Hull's, was awarded DOBRO PLAYER OF THE YEAR, his first win in this category.

Dr. Banjo, Pete Wernick of Hot Rize, tied with Craig Havighurst for BEST LINER NOTES FOR A RECORDED PROJECT for his work on Carter Stanley's Eyes by Peter Rowan. Previously this week, Pete was awarded MENTOR OF THE YEAR.

Keeping with the McCoury tradition, Rainmaker Management hosted an invitation-only after party that quietly honored the most prolific festival promoter in bluegrass, Norman Adams.