Reporting from the 2026 SPBGMA National Convention in Nashville this weekend has been tricky. We understand that this morning, all the hotels in that part of town, including the host site, the Sheraton Music City Airport location, is without power.
We do have the results of last night’s National Bluegrass Awards, thanks to our correspondent Nick Newlon. We hope to have more from Roger Black, including photos from the event, when he makes it safely home after the roads are cleared.
Here are the SPBGMA Award winners:
- Bluegrass Promoter of the Year – Aaron McDaris
- Bluegrass Radio Station of the Year – BanjoRadio.com
- Bluegrass DJ of the Year – Kyle Cantrell
- Bluegrass Songwriter of the Year – Rick Faris
- Bluegrass Album of the Year – Carter & Cleveland by Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland on Fiddle Man Records
- Bluegrass Song of the Year – The Auctioneer by The Kody Norris Show on Rebel Records
- Bass Fiddle Performer of the Year – Mickey Harris
- Dobro Performer of the Year – Matt Leadbetter
- Guitar Performer of the Year – Kody Norris
- Mandolin Performer of the Year – Jesse Brock
- Banjo Performer of the Year – Kristin Scott Benson
- Fiddle Performer of the Year – Michael Cleveland
- Female Vocalist of the Year – Heather Berry Mabe
- Male Vocalist of the Year – Kody Norris
- Gospel Group of the Year – Authentic Unlimited
- Vocal Group of the Year – Authentic Unlimited
- Instrumental Group of the Year – The Grascals
- Bluegrass Band (Overall) of the Year – The Kody Norris Show
- Bluegrass Entertainer of the Year – The Kody Norris Show
We’ll share details about the band contest as we receive it.
