Two mandolin players will host

Sam Bush and Sierra Hull co-host and perform at the 37th annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards, Thursday, Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m. ET in Chattanooga, Tenn.

“Mandolin maestros Sam Bush and Sierra Hull will co-host and perform”

The performer lineup

The Del McCoury Band, Sister Sadie, Authentic Unlimited, The Grascals and Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper all play the show. Several of them are nominees too.

Four Hall of Fame inductees

The 2026 Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame class is Byron Berline, Nashville Bluegrass Band, Sugar Hill cofounder Barry Poss and The Lost & Found, each with a musical tribute at the ceremony.

“Musical tributes for each inductee are planned.”

You can watch from home

The awards will be streamed live rather than kept to the room in Chattanooga. IBMA says streaming details are still coming.

“The IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards will be livestreamed; details coming soon.”

Industry Awards, same day

A separate ceremony on Oct. 22 at the Chattanooga Convention Center honors the non-performing side: writers, photographers, broadcasters, designers, sound engineers, events and liner notes.

Momentum Awards for newcomers

On Oct. 21, also at the convention center, IBMA honors artists and industry people early in their bluegrass careers, plus a mentor of the year for guiding them.

One week, four events

World of Bluegrass runs Oct. 20-24: the Business Conference, the Bluegrass Ramble in downtown venues, the awards show, then IBMA Bluegrass Live! Tickets are on sale now.

Three acts lead the field

Nominations landed July 15, with Alison Krauss & Union Station, Sister Sadie and East Nash Grass pulling the most nods of the year.

Entertainer of the year

Five names: Billy Strings, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Sister Sadie, East Nash Grass and The Del McCoury Band. The genre's biggest touring draw against its most decorated voice.

Bluegrass Live! closes the week

The two-day festival on Oct. 23-24 is led by Sierra Ferrell, Leftover Salmon and Larry Sparks, with fan experiences alongside the sets.

Who won last time

The 2025 haul went to Billy Strings, the duo of Jason Carter & Michael Cleveland, Authentic Unlimited and The Travelin' McCourys. Most are back on this year's ballot.

Distinguished Achievement honors

Gallagher Guitars, fiddler Matt Glaser, The Marshall Family, Gary Reid and journalist Derek Halsey get the 2026 Distinguished Achievement Award.

One song, three nominations

"Broken Angels" by The Grascals and Dolly Parton is up for song of the year, collaborative recording and music video, making it the most nominated single track.

Album of the year

Trey Hensley's Can't Outrun the Blues, Sister Sadie's All Will Be Well, East Nash Grass' All God's Children, Appalachian Road Show's Della Jane's Heart and Becky Buller's Songs That Sing Me.

Double-dippers on instruments

Alison Krauss is up for female vocalist, Sierra Hull for both mandolin and vocals, and Trey Hensley for guitar plus male vocalist, song and album.

Five new artists to watch

Jaelee Roberts, Mason Via, Carson Peters & Iron Mountain, Vickie Vaughn and Daniel Grindstaff & The Uptown Troubadours compete for new artist of the year.