The Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America (SPBGMA) has announced the nominees for their 2026 National Bluegrass Awards. Winners will be chosen by attendees at their National Convention in Nashville, to be held January 22-25 at the Sheraton Music City Hotel.
And the nominees are:
Bluegrass Promoter of the Year
- Danny Stewart
- Ernie Evans
- Lorraine Jordan
- Cody Johnson
- Aaron McDaris
- Joshua Ulbricht
Bluegrass Radio Station of the Year
- WOBO-FM Batavia, OH
- WPAQ-FM Mt Airy, NC
- WOBL-FM Oberlin/Cleveland, OH
- BanjoRadio.com
- TheBluegrassJamboree.com
- SiriusXM 77
Bluegrass DJ of the Year
- Jerry Eicher – The Bluegrass Jamboree
- Chris Jones – SiriusXM
- Buddy Michaels – WLHC-FM
- Cindy Baucom – Knee Deep in Bluegrass
- Kyle Cantrell – BanjoRadio.com
- Joey Black – SiriusXM
Bluegrass Songwriter of the Year
- Rick Faris
- Donna Ulisse
- Rick Lang
- Seth Mulder
- Daryl Mosley
- Edgar Loudermilk
Bluegrass Album of the Year
- Long Days & Short Stories by Daryl Mosley on Pinecastle Records
- Red Camel Collective by Red Camel Collective on Pinecastle Records
- Coming on Strong by Seth Mulder & Midnight Run on Rebel Records
- It’s All Fun and Games by Junior Sisk on Turnberry Records
- So, What’d I Miss by David Parmley on 615 Hideaway Records
- Carter & Cleveland by Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland on Fiddle Man Records
Bluegrass Song of the Year
- Me and Mr. Howard by Daryl Mosley on Pinecastle Records
- Daughter of the Stars by Red Camel Collective on Pinecastle Records
- Heartbreak Express by Seth Mulder & Midnight Run on Rebel Records
- The Auctioneer by The Kody Norris Show on Rebel Records
- Followin’ You by East Nash Grass on Mountain Fever Records
- All Dressed Up by David Parmley on 615 Hideaway Records
Bass Fiddle Performer of the Year
- Tyler Griffith
- Edgar Loudermilk
- Zak McLamb
- Wyatt Harman
- Mickey Harris
- Maddie Dalton
Dobro Performer of the Year
- Jeff Partin
- Jacob Metz
- Holger Olesen
- Rob Ickes
- Matt Leadbetter
- Gaven Largent
Guitar Performer of the Year
- Josh Williams
- Kody Norris
- Kenny Smith
- Zack Arnold
- Trey Hensley
- Rick Faris
Mandolin Performer of the Year
- Johnathan Dillon
- Danny Roberts
- Doug Barlett
- Zack Autry
- Jesse Brock
- Alan Bibey
Banjo Performer of the Year
- Kristin Scott Benson
- Chris Wade
- Jason Davis
- Daxson Lewis
- Gena Britt
- Aaron McDaris
Fiddle Performer of the Year
- Hunter Berry
- Michael Cleveland
- Carson Peters
- Adam Haynes
- Mary Rachel Nalley-Norris
- Jamie Harper
Female Vocalist of the Year
- Amanda Cook
- Rhonda Vincent
- Amanda Smith
- Heather Berry Mabe
- Caroline Owens
- Jaelee Roberts
Male Vocalist of the Year
- Daryl Mosley
- David Parmley
- Glen Harrell
- Kody Norris
- Seth Mulder
- Jesse Meador
Gospel Group of the Year
- Darin & Brooke Aldridge
- Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out
- Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers
- The King James Boys
- Authentic Unlimited
- The Isaacs
Vocal Group of the Year
- Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out
- Red Camel Collective
- Authentic Unlimited
- David Parmley
- Sister Sadie
- Seth Mulder & Midnight Run
Instrumental Group of the Year
- East Nash Grass
- Red Camel Collective
- Lonesome River Band
- Seth Mulder & Midnight Run
- The Grascals
- The Kody Norris Show
Bluegrass Band (Overall) of the Year
- Red Camel Collective
- Authentic Unlimited
- The Kody Norris Show
- Seth Mulder & Midnight Run
- Rhonda Vincent & The Rage
- Southern Legacy
Bluegrass Entertainer of the Year
- Red Camel Collective
- Kody Norris
- Seth Mulder
- Lonesome River Band
- Little Roy Lewis
- East Nash Grass
Congratulations and best of luck to all the nominees!
Winners will be announced during the 51st annual SPBGMA Bluegrass Music Awards Show on Saturday, January 26 at 7:00 p.m.
Full details about the SPBGMA National Convention can be found online.
