A Bluegrass Broom...

 

Vince Gill presents the big one to Dailey & Vincent

Nashville's venerable Ryman Auditorium, arguably the birthplace of bluegrass as we know it, was the scene of a historic sweep tonight of the IBMA's annual crystal obelisks by two humble individuals who have no doubt made their previous employers very, very proud.  I had a feeling that Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent would do well tonight (see previous post) but few foresaw how well:  Emerging Artist of the Year, Gospel Recorded Performance, Vocal Group of the Year, Album of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year for Jamie and....the big enchilada...Entertainer of the Year.  It may not be official, but I sure can't remember when any one artist or group has won that many key categories in a given year.  It's a tribute to talent and hard work, as these guys gave their bosses (Doyle Lawson and Ricky Skaggs) plenty of notice that they wanted to move on, put in the requisite amount of woodshedding with Jeff Parker, Joe Dean and Adam Haynes and fielded a band that has accomplished more in one short year than any entity I can remember.  And their duet rendering of Welch & Rawlings' "By The Mark" put the night's only lump in my throat.  The rest of the winners can be found here.  Few surprises really except for the first female to claim banjo player honors since Alison Brown in '91...Kristin Scott Benson, and a belated bass player win for AKUS veteran and now Dan Tyminski Band member Barry Bales.  It was nice to have the show back at the Ryman, after a few years across town at Opryland...more intimate and relaxed and...appropriate.  Chris Jones did a nice job of giving perennial stage announcer Eddie Stubbs a year off and Del McCoury was his lovable, charming self as host.  And finally, a grateful nod to Cindy Baucom and Ned Luberecki who I'm told scripted the "ad libbed" remarks shoved into presenters mouths and actually made them seem natural and even entertaining. 

Del and the boys also hosted the after party down the street at B.B. King's club where western Carolina's Steep Canyon Rangers got things started.  Long day...the rack monster's got me.

More tomorrow...TT