Balsam Range Takes Top Honors at IBMA Awards

Mountain Home Music Company artists honored for excellence in several categories

Nashville, TN – It was a big night for Balsam Range at the 2014 International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) awards, which were announced during a red carpet event at the annual World of Bluegrass convention in Raleigh, NC.

Singer/Fiddler Buddy Melton was named Male Vocalist of the Year and shared his heartfelt gratitude from the stage. Balsam Range was honored as Vocal Group of the Year, and in the final award of the night, this band of friends from North Carolina's Haywood County was honored with the coveted IBMA Entertainer of the Year Award.

Guitar virtuoso and singer, Caleb Smith, however, nearly missed the big moment.

Balsam Range had just performed "Moon Over Memphis" and Caleb was backstage talking guitars with fellow-artist, Del McCoury. Guitars are, after all, a favorite topic for Smith, a luthier who makes Caleb Smith Guitars. When the Entertainer of the Year award was announced, McCoury had to interrupt Smith, saying "Son, I think they just said your name." No fret, Caleb made it to the stage in time to accept the award alongside Tim Surrett, Buddy Melton, Marc Pruett and Darren Nicholson.

Label-mates at Mountain Home Music Company also received IBMA awards. Adam Steffey of The Boxcars was named Mandolin Player of the Year, and Flatt Lonesome won the Emerging Artist of the Year award. At an earlier luncheon program, Tim Surrett of Balsam Range was honored with the Mentor Award (one of a series of special honors called Momentum Awards) for his inspiration and work with young and developing artists.

Balsam Range, [pictured above], recently released its fifth album, FIVE. The band's previous release, PAPERTOWN, was named 2013 IBMA Album of the Year.

IBMA Awards are decided by a vote of the professional membership of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), the trade association for the bluegrass music industry. The IBMA Awards Show was broadcast live on SiriusXM Satellite Radio (Bluegrass Junction), and streamed for viewing by Music City Roots.

Balsam Range Garners Two More IBMA Nominations

The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) has announced the nominees for the Momentum Awards. Each artist was chosen by committees through a multi-stage process involving both musicians and music industry leaders.
“One of the distinctive features of the bluegrass world is that the peak years of careers are often measured in decades, even as we welcome an abundance of new artists and industry professionals into the ranks,” Jon Weisberger, IBMA board chair, explains. “So as our top artists and professionals continue to enjoy recognition from their peers through its annual awards, the IBMA’s Board of Directors saw a need to salute some of the best and brightest among those who are closer to the beginnings of their careers, and created the Momentum Awards — noteworthy for including not just singers, pickers and bands, but events or venues and professionals — as a vehicle for drawing attention to their achievements."

Balsam Range is currently nominated for Entertainer of the Year, Vocal Group of the Year, Instrumental Group of the Year and Buddy Melton is up for Male Vocalist of the Year.

Tim Surrett of Balsam Range was nominated for the Mentor Award (given to a bluegrass professional who has made a significant impact on the lives and careers of newcomers to the bluegrass industry.)
Balsam Range was also nominated for the Industrial Involvement Award for Colonial Theater, Balsam Range monthly concert series – Canton, N.C.

Catch them at the awards or during World of Bluegrass.

For a full list of performances click here

MARTY RAYBON WINS HIS FIRST IBMA AWARD

ALSO APPEARS ON THE COVER OF BLUEGRASS UNLIMITED

Nashville, TN (October 1, 2013) – Marty Raybon can now add an IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) award to his prestigious list of awards including Grammy, CMA and AMC awards with the group Shenandoah to his successful 40 year career as an entertainer. Last Thursday night Raybon was presented with the “Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year” Award for “Beulah Land” during the 24th IBMA Awards Show in Raleigh, North Carolina.

“It is a such an honor to win the IBMA Award for Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year. This the first of many I hope, I am overwhelmed with joy. I am truly proud of the steadfast job from a great record label Rural Rhythm Records, the lyric from a wonderful writer Squire Parsons. I am thankful and humbled at the favor the Lord has shown me”, commented Marty Raybon.

Raybon’s first IBMA award is not his only first this year as he celebrates his 40th year as an entertainer with his current album “The Back Forty”. The current single, “That Janie Baker”, is moving up the Bluegrass Unlimited chart at #18 . He can also add to his list of firsts in 2013 the #1 song on the Bluegrass Unlimited chart for his hit song “Dirt Road Heartache” which hit #1 in June from his album “Southern Roots & Branches” released in April 2012.

In addition to this impressive list of first time career accomplishments now includes the cover of Bluegrass Unlimited. Raybon appears on the cover of the October 2013 issue of Bluegrass Unlimited with a feature story by Steve Morley. He also appeared on the cover of the May issue of
The Direct Buzz, AirPlay Direct’s monthly magazine. which was another first.

Raybon has been getting some strong media attention recently. Below is a list of recent media hits and future media:
Billboard

The Mike Huckabee Show

The Boot

Music News Nashville

Digital Journal

Tennessean

Bluegrass Unlimited October issue - cover and feature article

GAC Daily Countdown - air date: 9-23-2013

Country Reunion Show on RFD-TV (November 13th & 14th)

For more information on Marty Raybon and his tour dates please visit Marty Raybon or Rural Rhythm Records.