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Steve Martin Wins IBMA's Entertainer of the Year

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The 22nd annual International Bluegrass Music Awards were held Sept. 29 at the Ryman Auditorium, and Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers won IBMA's Entertainer of the Year. The band has two recorded albums, including their most recent, Rare Bird Alert.
 
After thanking the band members, his producers, and jokingly thanking the other nominees for losing, Steve talked about how the band works humor and fun into every show. He said that audience members sometimes know little about bluegrass but come to concerts to see him perform. But Steve says, "They all leave loving it, and maybe they seek out other musicians. We're really, really honored to win this award tonight."
 
Steve's band won Emerging Artist of the Year in 2007, and this year the award went to The Boxcars. They were also named Instrumental Group of the Year. The Gibson Brothers won Vocal Group of the Year along with Album of the Year for Help My Brother
 
Banjo Player of the Year was shared between Ron Stewart of the Boxcars and Kristin Scott Benson of The Grascals. Kristin has won the award for four consecutive years now.
 
Song of the Year went to Balsam Range for "Trains I Missed." Tim Surret of Balsam Range says, "There are a lot of folks out there -- myself included -- who are thankful for some of those trains missed and how things turned out."
 
This year, the IBMAs celebrated the 100th anniversary of bluegrass legend, Bill Monroe.  The ceremony was hosted by Sam Bush.
 
 
The 2011 International Bluegrass Awards:
 
Hall of Fame Inductees -- Del McCoury, George Shuffler
 
Entertainer of the Year -- Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers
 
Vocal Group of the Year -- The Gibson Brothers
 
Instrumental Group of the Year -- The Boxcars
 
Male Vocalist of the Year -- Russell Moore
 
Female Vocalist of the Year -- Dale Ann Bradley
 
Emerging Artist of the Year -- The Boxcars
 
Album of the Year -- Help My Brother by The Gibson Brothers (artists), Eric & Leigh Gibson and Mike Barber (producers), Compass (label)
 
Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year --  "Goin' Up Dry Branch," Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper (artist), Buddy Spicher & Jimmy Martin (songwriters), Jeff White & Michael Cleveland (producers), Rounder (label)
 
Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year -- "Prayer Bells of Heaven" by J.D. Crowe, Doyle Lawson, & Paul Williams (artists), Ben Isaacs (producer), Mountain Home (label)
 
Song of the Year -- "Trains I Missed;"  Balsam Range (artists); Walt Wilkins, Gilles Godard & Nicole Witt (songwriters)
 
Recorded Event of the Year -- "Prayer Bells of Heaven" by J.D. Crowe, Doyle Lawson & Paul Williams (artists); Ben Isaacs (producer); Mountain Home (label)
 
Banjo Player of the Year -- Kristin Scott Benson and Ron Stewart (tie)
 
Guitar Player of the Year -- Bryan Sutton
 
Fiddle Player of the Year -- Michael Cleveland
 
Bass Player of the Year -- Marshall Wilborn
 
Mandolin Player of the Year -- Adam Steffey
 
Dobro Player of the Year -- Rob Ickes
 
Distinguished Achievement Award Recipients -- Greg Cahill, Bill Knowlton, Lilly Pavlak, Geoff Stelling, Roland White
 
Broadcaster of the Year -- Katy Daley, WAMU Bluegrass Country
 
Print Media Person of the Year -- Juli Thanki, Engine145.com
 
Bluegrass Event of the Year -- Silver Dollar City's Bluegrass & BBQ Festival; Branson, Mo.
 
Best Graphic Design -- Ricardo Alessio & Erica Harris (designer & artist), Abigail Washburn (artist), Rounder (label)
 
Best Liner Notes -- Colin Escott (writer), A Mother's Prayer, Ralph Stanley (artist), Rebel (label)