Billy Strings & East Nash Grass Lead 2026 IBMA Awards Winners
Billy Strings was named entertainer of the year at the 2026 International Bluegrass Music Association Awards, held in Chattanooga on 22 October. It was his fifth win, underscoring his continued prominence in bluegrass; East Nash Grass also had a major night, taking two awards.
East Nash Grass won album of the year for *All God’s Children* and instrumental group of the year, while Trey Hensley received song of the year for “Can’t Outrun the Blues”. Sierra Hull won mandolin player of the year for the eighth time, and the video for “The Devil Went Down to Deep Gap”, by Billy Strings and Bryan Sutton, was honoured. Four acts and figures joined the Bluegrass Hall of Fame: Byron Berline, The Nashville Bluegrass Band, The Lost & Found and Sugar Hill Records co-founder Barry Poss.
In short
- Billy Strings won entertainer of the year for the fifth time.
- East Nash Grass took album and instrumental group awards.
- Sierra Hull earned her eighth mandolin player accolade.
Explained simply
The International Bluegrass Music Association, or IBMA, is a trade and membership organisation for the bluegrass music community. Its annual awards recognise performers, songwriters, recordings and other contributions to the genre, which grew from American string-band music and often features instruments such as the banjo, fiddle, mandolin and guitar.
The awards include categories for entertainer of the year, album, song and instrumental group, as well as honours for individual musicians. The IBMA also maintains a Hall of Fame for people and organisations whose work has shaped bluegrass over time.
The awards offer a snapshot of who is making an impact across bluegrass, from established artists to groups and songwriters. They also recognise the wider network behind the music, including recordings, videos and contributions to the genre’s history.